With the #3 pick (!) in the 2018 draft, the Mavs get Luka Doncic

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Luka's Mom

I was indeed a bit surprised/disappointed they didn't get hyped, but I think we as fans tend to over-analyze these things and read too much into them. NBA season is a grind, they're playing games every other day, and even the craziest shots become a routine for them. Not to mention that a guy like Barnes, who played with shooters like Curry and Thompson, has pretty much seen it all already.

I agree to an extent. The fire or excitement or competitiveness certainly isn’t there consistently though. It could be a function of the season being a grind. Or it could be no fewer than three vets on expirings playing for their next contracts aren’t as team oriented. Maybe they have one foot out the door? Maybe their is some jealousy involved? Whatever the case, this team doesn’t seem to have much fun playing ball together. And the effort is sorely lacking a lot of the time.

[dirt_dobber]

Maxi effect...
Andy Bailey@AndrewDBailey
Dallas is -8.7 PTS per 100 possessions (15th percentile) when Luka Doncic is on the floor with the rest of the Mavericks starters.
Dallas is +32.6 PTS per 100 possessions (100th percentile) when Doncic is on the floor with bench staples JJ Barea and Maxi Kleber.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

Maxi effect...
Andy Bailey@AndrewDBailey
Dallas is -8.7 PTS per 100 possessions (15th percentile) when Luka Doncic is on the floor with the rest of the Mavericks starters.
Dallas is +32.6 PTS per 100 possessions (100th percentile) when Doncic is on the floor with bench staples JJ Barea and Maxi Kleber.

You'd think that Rick would be smart enough to play Luka with guys that actually help him win, but you'd be wrong

[saclare]

Rick doesn't strike me as an analytics guy. Actually quite the opposite, I bet he'd scoff at those stats and lean on plus-minus only. He is so set in stone with his rotations its sickening. It's a new breed of NBA/players, rotations should barely exist, IMO.

Also, anyone who has a problem with Luka mania should be cleared out immediately. Get with the movement or get on out.

[Skywalker]

2nd in the west and 4th overall

[Lestat_1795]

Wow! More than Steph!

[Dolencd]

Wow man! This kid is exceeding all our high expectations. I think business is so much involved in the NBA that there is almost no chance that Luka doesn't get to All Star. Incredible.

[Luka's Mom]

Cousins with 300k votes? Laughable. Maybe people should vote for guys who actually performed well this year and deserve it... Like Montrezl Harrell?

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by Luka's Mom

Cousins with 300k votes? Laughable. Maybe people should vote for guys who actually performed well this year and deserve it... Like Montrezl Harrell?

All the Warriors fanboys voted for their entire "big 5"

[sefant77]

Good damn we hit the lottery

lol at Hawks, Kings and Suns

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

Because I expect him to be a player that makes his team better. The league is full of players than can score. The great players make their team better. I don't see Doncic as being a great scorer and putting up numbers like Dirk. But I do see him pushing close to 20 while getting a ton of assists and decent rebounds.

Dirk was nowhere near this type of scorer when he was 19. Luka is going to grow into a perennial 30 ppg player by time he is 23 or 24.

[Zeus]

I must have missed his name. Was looking for Trae Young on the East All-Star vote leaders. Oops

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Zeus

I must have missed his name. Was looking for Trae Young on the East All-Star vote leaders. Oops

[EricaLubarsky]

[ozmavs123]

I’m hoping we get to see Luka play the “James Harden” role for us, that is as a high-usage guard. Luka is such a good creator and scorer that I feel like we just want the ball in his hands as much as possible. Luka also has a very high basketball IQ like Harden.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by ozmavs123

I’m hoping we get to see Luka play the “James Harden” role for us, that is as a high-usage guard. Luka is such a good creator and scorer that I feel like we just want the ball in his hands as much as possible. Luka also has a very high basketball IQ like Harden.

He's starting to get the FTs too.

October - 4.4 FTA
November- 6.6 FTA
December - 8.3FTA

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

He's starting to get the FTs too.

October - 4.4 FTA
November- 6.6 FTA
December - 8.3FTA

This might be the most important stat of the season for him -- it's what differentiates stars from the rest of the league... He's getting more aggressive at the NBA level and the refs are starting to respect him for it.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

https://twitter.com/Goran_Dragic/sta...30858631905280
https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/sta...32765802196992

[Underdog]

@DwainPrice: Steve Kerr on Luka's All-Star chances: " Whether he makes it or not, he’s an All-Star. Certain guys just stand out. You see what they do, you see what they mean to the game. If he doesn’t make it this year, he’s going to make it soon enough.”

[Skywalker]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/1...llas-mavericks

[MavzMan]

I don't watch as much TNT NBA as I used to, so in case you missed the half time crew discussing the 2nd round of All-Star returns:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yepRG-sa_4
Charles Barkley reacts to Luka Doncic "Should be an All Star!"

Kenny, "He would take away a spot .... of a perennial all-star."
Shaq, "He should make it"
Charles, "Doncic has played better than LaMarcus and DeMar."

[Underdog]

@townbrad: Gregg Popovich called @luka7doncic a “wonderful basketball player, really fun to watch, great young talent.” Then he expounded upon what most sticks out about the 19-year-old rookie:

[SMC0007]

That's incredible praise from the peak of source mountain.

[Underdog]

@bobbykaralla: Doncic is averaging 24/6/6 in his last 17 games. The only other rookies ever to carry his averages (20/6/5) for an entire season are Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson. He is doing historic things right now. I hope we are all enjoying it.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@bobbykaralla: Doncic is averaging 24/6/6 in his last 17 games. The only other rookies ever to carry his averages (20/6/5) for an entire season are Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson. He is doing historic things right now. I hope we are all enjoying it.

Agreed, he's 19. Historical numbers. And he's doing it with flair. Cross overs, the passes, the step back swishes. He has court vision, ability to score from any where on the court, he brings the game to Doncic speed, the pace of the game goes at his pace, he's 19 and controlling the pace of the game. The numbers are a permanent stamp on the game, but just to watch him play is something else.

[Underdog]

@MFollowill: Luka Doncic remains 2nd amongst Western Conference frontcourt players in fan voting for NBA All-Star Game starters. Among all players, only LeBron and Giannis have more fan votes. Fan voting is 50% of the all-star starter selection method (25% players & 25% media)

[j0Shi]

Poor KD...

[MavzMan]

OK, what is the chance that he gets completely screwed by the players and the media even after getting 50% vote in by the fans?

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

OK, what is the chance that he gets completely screwed by the players and the media even after getting 50% vote in by the fans?

IMO he's going to need the media vote to be good. I think the player one will be the worst of the 3 because players might say good things about him but they won't give him the benefit over established vets like LMA IMO. They will probably have the "your time will come" approach.

[Underdog]

@TravisRW: Today's ESPN panel a bit divided on who will win ROY

[Underdog]

Last day to vote for Luka -- all votes count double today!

https://www.google.com/search?vs=NBA...oint=sh/x/vtmt

[dirt_dobber]

(very complimentary and even touch on DSJ coming back)
Isiah Thomas, and Kevin McHale discuss Luka Doncicon Luka's first triple-double
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57s3...re=youtu.be&a=

[MavzMan]

At this VERY early point, Luka reminds me a lot of Bird:

Luka Dončić IS next Larry Bird

[Lestat_1795]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

(very complimentary and even touch on DSJ coming back)
Isiah Thomas, and Kevin McHale discuss Luka Doncicon Luka's first triple-double
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57s3...re=youtu.be&a=

Much more intelligent basketball talk than Barkley, Shaq and company.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

(very complimentary and even touch on DSJ coming back)
Isiah Thomas, and Kevin McHale discuss Luka Doncicon Luka's first triple-double
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57s3...re=youtu.be&a=

Great analysis by two HoFers.

Originally Posted by MavzMan

At this VERY early point, Luka reminds me a lot of Bird:

Luka Dončić IS next Larry Bird

Looks like you aren't the only one who thinks of Larry Bird when watching Luka...


@townbrad: Strong words from Clips coach Doc Rivers this morning regarding @luka7doncic’s rookie-year impact:

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by Lestat_1795

Much more intelligent basketball talk than Barkley, Shaq and company.

I think Barkley and Kenny are pretty insightful honestly. Even if I don't agree with them, I give their opinion a lot of weight. Shaq is pretty much there as comedy relief and be stupid.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

I think Barkley and Kenny are pretty insightful honestly. Even if I don't agree with them, I give their opinion a lot of weight. Shaq is pretty much there as comedy relief and be stupid.

They all have their moments, but EJ is the most level headed. Kenny would come second.

[MavzMan]

LOL, does EJ even really say anything or is he just there to ask question of the ex-players?

[Underdog]

Final votes are in...

[Skywalker]

Secret Guard-en: The story of Luka Doncic's undercover Steph Curry workout


Great read, also some videos in there