With the #3 pick (!) in the 2018 draft, the Mavs get Luka Doncic - Page 28 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Scoobay · 12-23-2020, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolencd

https://www.slamonline.com/nba/luka-doncic-global-rise/

Headline article and cover of the Slam is about our boy right here.

“His feet [are] slower than rush hour traffic. Really slow feet…When I look at him on tape, he struggles with quick defenders. Guys getting in his pocket, getting after him… So, his NBA comparison is Hedo Turkoglu.”

“That’s my takeaway—He doesn’t pop athletically.”

“I mean, he’s better than Ricky Rubio but he doesn’t look special to me.”

“Doncic, at 6-7, will get exposed for all of the inadequacies that Dirk had. Dirk is not a great athlete. Dirk doesn’t have explosiveness. Dirk isn’t physical. That’s what is going to happen to Doncic…I’m not saying Luka is setting the NBA world on fire—I’m not sure he’s going to be a dominating NBA player.”

“The athleticism, that’s a problem. The lack of athleticism.”

“I believe Luka should go to a good team. I don’t believe he’s a lottery pick. No, I don’t. I think he falls right outside the lottery.”

“I don’t give a damn about how this kid in Europe looked.”

“We tend to over-sensationalize European basketball. There [are] restrictions that cater to him. You can’t have nine Americans on the floor in Europe. There’s going to be nine bred Americans on the floor with you 95 percent of the time in the NBA. That changes the dynamics of the game.”

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what the hell does nine bred Americans mean? is that a real quote from some beat writer? guess i don't remember this level of clueless from before sheesh

Thespiralgoeson · 12-23-2020, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobay

“His feet [are] slower than rush hour traffic. Really slow feet…When I look at him on tape, he struggles with quick defenders. Guys getting in his pocket, getting after him… So, his NBA comparison is Hedo Turkoglu.”

“That’s my takeaway—He doesn’t pop athletically.”

“I mean, he’s better than Ricky Rubio but he doesn’t look special to me.”

“Doncic, at 6-7, will get exposed for all of the inadequacies that Dirk had. Dirk is not a great athlete. Dirk doesn’t have explosiveness. Dirk isn’t physical. That’s what is going to happen to Doncic…I’m not saying Luka is setting the NBA world on fire—I’m not sure he’s going to be a dominating NBA player.”

“The athleticism, that’s a problem. The lack of athleticism.”

“I believe Luka should go to a good team. I don’t believe he’s a lottery pick. No, I don’t. I think he falls right outside the lottery.”

“I don’t give a damn about how this kid in Europe looked.”

“We tend to over-sensationalize European basketball. There [are] restrictions that cater to him. You can’t have nine Americans on the floor in Europe. There’s going to be nine bred Americans on the floor with you 95 percent of the time in the NBA. That changes the dynamics of the game.”

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what the hell does nine bred Americans mean? is that a real quote from some beat writer? guess i don't remember this level of clueless from before sheesh

I'll say it again. I guarantee that NONE of these people actually watched him. At least not more than a couple of highlights or something. A ton of his games are up on youtube, and if you watch his actual games, he was INCREDIBLE. Absolutely amazing.

SMC0007 · 12-23-2020, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I'll say it again. I guarantee that NONE of these people actually watched him. At least not more than a couple of highlights or something. A ton of his games are up on youtube, and if you watch his actual games, he was INCREDIBLE. Absolutely amazing.

Probably true, I just assumed that most saw the potential but questioned the competition

Lestat_1795 · 12-23-2020, 05:05 PM

Bred Americans sounds pretty arrogant!
Like nobody outside of the US has a clue how to play the game.

Thespiralgoeson · 12-23-2020, 08:53 PM

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...n-luka-doncic/

It’s Hard Not To Believe In Luka Dončić
By Dorothy J. Gentry

“MVP! MVP! MVP!”

A shower of cheers rained down on Luka Dončić as he walked off the court after a Dallas Mavericks victory last fall, four days before Thanksgiving. He high-fived a few fans — towel around his neck — then clapped his hands above his head and entered the tunnel as the MVP chants continued.

If he were in the familiar, comfortable confines of the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas, the cheers and chants would have made complete sense.

But he wasn’t. He was walking off the court of the Toyota Center in Houston after he and the Mavs knocked off the Rockets, 137-123.

MVP chants in another city? Against a heated in-state rival? Rare.

Moments later, in the locker room, I asked him how that scene affected him.

“It was nice. When I hear those sounds, it’s very nice. I never imagined being called [something] like that in the NBA, and it’s just something that feels special to me.”

That was a little over a year ago. Dončić has won many more games since then and racked up awards, recognitions and honors, including starting in his first NBA All-Star Game.

If they were chanting MVP back then, it’s easy to imagine what they’re saying now: that Dončić’s third year in the NBA could very well be his MVP year.

And no one would be surprised.

The NBA.com 2020-21 GM Survey, released last Friday, has Dončić (21 percent) second only to Giannis Antetokounmpo (32 percent) to win this season’s MVP award. He also tied Antetokounmpo (43 percent) as the player GMs would start their franchise with. Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill has Dončić — who has had the No. 2 best-selling jersey this year — as the betting favorite to win MVP, and countless sports pundits and talking heads are predicting that Dončić will finish this season hoisting the trophy as the best in the league.

“Luka Dončić is going to win the MVP. … He’s the next coming of LeBron,” Jay Williams said recently on his radio show Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin. “He’s must-watch TV.”

LeBron James himself has high praise for Dončić and what he brings to the game. “Luka is one of my favorite players in the NBA,” he said on the Road Trippin’ podcast. James also revealed that he wanted to begin his Team LeBron shoe line by signing Dončić, though Dončić ultimately signed with Jordan Brand. “That’s how much I believed in him.”

The FiveThirtyEight player projection model also believes in him, expecting MVP-level output not just this season but for the foreseeable future:

The NBA believes in him too, scheduling the Mavs to play in a high-profile Christmas day game — for the first time since 2011 — against the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers on primetime television. The scheduling of that game is perhaps as much a testament to Luka’s growing popularity as it is to fans wanting to see the champs.

And who wouldn’t believe in Dončić at this point? Besides the obvious basketball skills, he’s a true kid at heart, with a great big smile and a part mischievous, part infectious personality — kicking around the basketball pregame like a soccer ball one minute, singing the lyrics to “Macarena” into the microphone during a media session the next.

That playfulness flips when the game begins, and he morphs into a fierce competitor: engineering the Mavs offense, throwing up shots, helping his teammates get buckets and showing his intense desire to win, even once tearing his jersey in half midgame — while still wearing it — to show his frustration at missing two key free throws in a battle against the Lakers; a nod to his competitive spirit.

He also displays glimpses of humbleness that make you think, “Maybe he really doesn’t understand just how big he is.”

“Luka’s an amazing player,” said Mavs rookie Josh Green. “Being his age and doing what he’s doing — it’s awesome. He’s an unselfish guy who looks like a great teammate.”

Josh Richardson, who was traded to the Mavs this offseason, met Dončić when the Slovenia native was only 16. He was working out in Santa Barbara, California, where Richardson — then a member of the Miami Heat — would spend his offseasons training.

Richardson knew right away that Dončić was a special talent.

“He walked in the gym, into the weight room that morning, and I never heard of him, never seen him,” Richardson said. “But I saw his body and how he’s built and they told me he was 16, and I was like, no way!”

“I watched him and saw his shot and how everything looked, and then when we were playing [pick-up games], it was like — just the pace,” Richardson explained.

“It’s hard to teach that, especially on a kid that was already 6’6” at 16 and 200 and however many pounds. It’s rare that you see something like that. He shot a few step backs, made a few good passes, and I was just like, he’s got it. He’s got it.”

Minnesota Timberwolves v Dallas Mavericks
Luka Dončić is looking to build on his impressive sophomore season with new teammate Josh Richardson. RONALD MARTINEZ / GETTY IMAGES
What is it that makes Dončić so special?

Part of his mystique is the very real fact that at a young age, he already plays at an elite level in basketball — with so much more room to improve.

“He’s 21. He’s getting better all the time,” Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle told media during his first preseason session. “His game continues to be more and more refined each year in all areas.

“He’s a special player. He’s a special person. He’s a special leader on our team,” Carlisle continued. “And I don’t know exactly what it’s going to be, but I do think you’ll see continued development and continued growth.”

As good as he’s been so far, Luka is pushing himself to be better — and as he goes, so goes the team. “I always say I want to win the championship, and that’s the goal we entered [with] last year,” he said, “and that’s the goal we’re going to enter this year [with] as a whole group.”

Luka burst onto the NBA scene in 2018 at 19 — a young but already bona fide basketball star from Slovenia. He was selected with the third overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 draft then traded to the Mavs in exchange for the draft rights to Trae Young and a protected first-round pick in 2019.

Average fans may not have heard of him. Even those who saw his name on mock drafts could have been forgiven for not knowing just how good he was.

But Mavs GM Donnie Nelson knew. Nelson started scouting a young Dončić two years before the 2018 draft. He knew what he saw was real. Dončić was special, would be special in the NBA and was the franchise-altering player the Mavs needed.

“He’s a winner in every sense of the word,” Nelson told Mavs.com last year just before Dončić was set to participate in the NBA’s Rising Stars game during All-Star weekend as a rookie. “There’s a maturity to his game that it seems like at every level, when he was playing as a youth and then into his mid- to late teens, he was always playing against bigger guys and getting it done against those guys.”

The Mavsalso saw a fierce competitor who is very comfortable on court; that would become apparent quickly. He won Rookie of the Year and was selected unanimously to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Luka’s rookie year saw the retirement of the great Dirk Nowitzki — the Mavs’ loyal franchise player who delivered the team its only championship in 2011 — who effectively handed the keys to the team to Dončić. In turn, Dončić took the keys and unlocked the door to one of the greatest sophomore seasons in the NBA.

During his second year, he joined the upper echelon of NBA players. He finished the season as the league leader in 25-point, 10-rebound, 15-assist games (five), 30-10-7 efforts (18) and 20-5-5 games (50). He was selected to his first NBA All-Star game and was named to the prestigious 2019-20 All-NBA First Team, the first player named to the All-NBA First Team in either his first or second season since Tim Duncan in 1998-99.

Dončić finished fourth in MVP voting behind eventual winner Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and James Harden, and ahead of Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Chris Paul. He also finished third in Most Improved Player voting behind eventual winner Brandon Ingram of New Orleans and Miami’s Bam Adebayo.

Dončić was the youngest player in the MVP race
2019-20 stats for the 12 NBA players to receive points in voting for the Most Valuable Player award

PER GAME
RK PLAYER AGE TEAM PTS REBS ASTS
1 Giannis Antetokounmpo 25 Bucks 29.5 13.6 5.6
2 LeBron James 35 Lakers 25.3 7.8 10.2
3 James Harden 30 Rockets 34.3 6.6 7.5
4 Luka Dončić 20 Mavericks 28.8 9.4 8.8
5 Kawhi Leonard 28 Clipplers 27.1 7.1 4.9
6 Anthony Davis 26 Lakers 26.1 9.3 3.2
7 Chris Paul 34 Thunder 17.6 5.0 6.7
8 Damian Lillard 29 Trail Blazers 30.0 4.3 8.0
9 Nikola Jokić 24 Nuggets 19.9 9.7 7.0
10 Pascal Siakam 25 Raptors 22.9 7.3 3.5
11 Jimmy Butler 30 Heat 19.9 6.7 6.0
12 Jayson Tatum 21 Celtics 23.4 7.0 3.0
SOURCE: BASKETBALL-REFERENCE.COM

He finished the regular season averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists in 61 games (all starts), making him just the third player in NBA history to average at least 28-9-8 for a full season (with Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook). And with Dončić creating shots for himself and his teammates, the Mavs had the most efficient offense in league history.

Dončić recorded a league-high 17 triple-doubles in 2019-20, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to lead the league outright in the category. He not only broke Jason Kidd’s Mavericks single-season triple-double record (nine in 1995-96), but he became the franchise’s all-time leader in the category as well (25). Twelve of his triple-doubles were of the 30-point variety, and he again joined Robertson and Westbrook as one of three players to record at least 12 30-point triple-doubles in a single season.

After the pandemic paused his stellar second season, Dončić and the Mavs headed to the Orlando bubble to finish out the season. It was there that he proved his ability in the clutch.

Dončić finished his first NBA playoff series — in six first-round playoff games against the L.A. Clippers — averaging 31 points (on 50 percent shooting from the field), 9.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists en route to becoming the fifth player in NBA history to average at least 30-8-8 in a playoff series (along with James, Westbrook, Michael Jordan and Robertson). Dončić was the first to do so in his first career postseason series.

And it will be hard to forget Luka’s performance in Game 4, when he hit a game-winning 3-point shot in overtime at the buzzer to tie the series.

“I remember just getting to my spot — that’s the key in the game-winners, have to get to your spot,” he said. “And … when I made it, everyone at the bench was looking at me and running toward me. It was the best feeling. After that game, I was just happy.”

The Mavs couldn’t sustain the momentum from the win, and without Kristaps Porziņģis, who missed the last three games with a knee injury, they eventually lost the series — but not before a series of much-publicized incidents that ended up serving as catalysts for the Mavs’ eventual new arrival.

In Game 3, after an altercation between Dončić and Montrezl Harrell, the Clippers big man called Dončić a “[expletive] white boy,” setting off a firestorm on social media. Harrell, now with the Lakers, received no fines or suspension, but he apologized to Dončić and was seen talking with him pregame before Game 5.

But it wasn’t just Harrell who appeared to be picking on Dončić. Fellow Clipper Marcus Morris Sr. got into the act during Game 6 when he was ejected for committing a flagrant two foul against Dončić.

Los Angeles Clippers v Dallas Mavericks - Game Four
Luka Dončić hits a game-winning 3-pointer in Game 4 of the Mavericks’ playoff series against the Clippers. KEVIN C. COX / GETTY IMAGES
The name-calling and intense physicality had many wondering if other teams felt the franchise was soft and that they could push the Mavs and Dončić around. To be sure, Dončić didn’t back down nor did his teammates. But just the fact that the Clippers seemingly felt they could get away with such behavior raised a few eyebrows.

Enter Richardson, a former Philadelphia 76er who has a reputation as a “tough and gritty” player who has spent his whole NBA career in the more physical Eastern Conference. He’s a perfect fit for the Mavs — and Dončić.

“I think that a few of us coming in this year can definitely bring an aspect of hard-nosed, physical basketball,” Richardson said of the new Mavs players, a group that includes James Johnson.

“Josh Richardson is an edgy guy who’s a terrific defender,” Carlisle said. “We’ve been looking for a guy that can guard point guards and be able to score off the ball or be able to take the ball and let Luka work off the ball. And I think he gives us that kind of flexibility. He’s a guy from afar that I’ve always felt would be a really good fit with Luka Dončić.”

Dončić praised Richardson’s presence as well. “He’s an amazing player. … He brings a lot of stuff. He can shoot, he can dribble, he can guard anybody, and he brings a lot to the team. I’m really happy and we’re really happy to have him.”

When they met in California five years ago, Richardson and Dončić played pickup games and bonded over their love of soccer, and they stayed in touch over the years. Richardson said the two mesh well because they have similar personalities. “We’re very goofy off the court, but on the court, it’s business once that game starts.”

Richardson knows he has several roles on the Mavs team — toughness, leadership, defense and alleviating the pressure on Dončić. “I’m excited to play next to him because he’s one of the best playmakers in the NBA,” he said.

As he prepares for his third season in the league, Dončić hears the MVP talk but remains focused on winning a championship. All the ingredients are there — including new teammates. However, for at least the first few games of the season, he’ll be without Porziņģis, whose defense the Mavs desperately need if they hope to make any kind of real run in the postseason.

This is an opportune time for Dončić to show he has what it takes to get the young, new-look Mavs where they want to be — if not now, soon. But it starts tonight as the Mavs begin their season with a promise from Dončić.

“This season will be way better than last season.”

Somehow, you can’t help but believe him.

EricaLubarsky · 12-28-2020, 12:34 PM

Luka is 12% from three this season

He’s also 86% from the FT line and he’s getting a lot of freebies

Thespiralgoeson · 12-28-2020, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Luka is 12% from three this season

He’s also 86% from the FT line and he’s getting a lot of freebies

That will come up of course, but I'm starting to believe he's going to hover in the low 30s for his whole career.

NeedlesKane · 12-28-2020, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

That will come up of course, but I'm starting to believe he's going to hover in the low 30s for his whole career.

I think when he works out with KP his 3-point shooting will improve. Mark my words!

EricaLubarsky · 12-28-2020, 12:49 PM

Luka is 12% from three this season

He’s also 86% from the FT line and he’s getting a lot of freebies

DevinHarriswillstart · 12-28-2020, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Luka is 12% from three this season

He’s also 86% from the FT line and he’s getting a lot of freebies

I mentioned already that he has no reason to take low percentage step back threes if the rest of the team hits their threes.

His best shots are around the rim, and he gets to the line that way as well.

tap2390 · 12-28-2020, 10:38 PM

I have no problem with Luka hovering the low 30s for his career 3P%... I mean, so has Lebron.

Thespiralgoeson · 12-29-2020, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tap2390

I have no problem with Luka hovering the low 30s for his career 3P%... I mean, so has Lebron.

The problem is, Lebron has only taken about 4 attempts per game over his career, while Luka takes nearly 8. If Luka can't pull his percentage up, then he really should take fewer threes.

If he would just take fewer stepbacks and improve his shot selection I think he could be a decently efficient shooter, but I'm starting to feel like he's just hard wired to be a gunslinger.

MFFL · 12-29-2020, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

The problem is, Lebron has only taken about 4 attempts per game over his career, while Luka takes nearly 8.

That's cherry picking stats

Lebron averaged 7 3's per year last year and only shot 35%. The year before Lebron shot over 6 3's per game and shot slightly under 35%

I think Luka will get to 35% for the year and that will be fine for him

Thespiralgoeson · 12-29-2020, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFFL

That's cherry picking stats

Lebron averaged 7 3's per year last year and only shot 35%. The year before Lebron shot over 6 3's per game and shot slightly under 35%

I think Luka will get to 35% for the year and that will be fine for him

I'm not cherry picking anything. Looking at two years out of Lebron's entire career- that's cherry picking. And Lebron did not average 7 per last year. He averaged a little over 6 last year, and a little under 6 the year before. Now my math might be fuzzy, but last I checked, 6 is in fact less than 8, and 35% is more than 32% (Luka's career averages.)

For what it's worth though, I would be very happy with Luka averaging 35% on his career. I'm not holding my breath though. Everyone seems to just assume that he will improve that. I hope he does, but why do we assume this? Especially this season? This was the way he was in Europe, and there was no improvement from year 1 to year 2 in the NBA. He has to take fewer stepbacks, but he has shown no interest so far. He seems to think that's a really good shot.

rimrocker · 12-29-2020, 10:45 AM

Giannis 28% career 3pt shooting.
Davis 32%
LeBron 34%
Westbrook 30%

Luka is in pretty good company if he shoots in the low 30s for his career.

I do agree he needs to be more selective though.
I personally think the 3 pointer is a minor piece of his arsenal and used mainly to help open up other aspects of his game like the 4 mentioned above.

MFFL · 12-29-2020, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I'm not cherry picking anything. Looking at two years out of Lebron's entire career- that's cherry picking. And Lebron did not average 7 per last year. He averaged a little over 6 last year, and a little under 6 the year before. Now my math might be fuzzy, but last I checked, 6 is in fact less than 8, and 35% is more than 32% (Luka's career averages.)

I'm sorry. I saw Lebron's 7 per game THIS year and made a mistake

But Lebron has been shooting a lot more 3's in recent seasons than ever before. So I >>do<< consider it cherry picking stats to bring up his career stats when his recent stats are more reflective of the modern NBA

EricaLubarsky · 12-29-2020, 11:04 AM

30%-33% is fine-- even in high volume for me if it opens up driving lanes and keeps our offense flowing.

12-17% is not.

Really hope he can get that up or else teams are going to beg him to shoot and he'll be unable to drive.

EricaLubarsky · 12-29-2020, 11:04 AM

30%-33% is fine-- even in high volume for me if it opens up driving lanes and keeps our offense flowing.

12-17% is not.

Really hope he can get that up or else teams are going to beg him to shoot and he'll be unable to drive.

SMC0007 · 12-29-2020, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

30%-33% is fine-- even in high volume for me if it opens up driving lanes and keeps our offense flowing.

12-17% is not.

Really hope he can get that up or else teams are going to beg him to shoot and he'll be unable to drive.

I agree with the percentages but I'm not convinced that sagging off him is what teams will do. He's too crafty and intelligent to fall victim to that type of scheming, and the pNr is a massive weapon for him. Don't overlook players ego, people want to slow him down and will over play their schemes often enough. KP is going to help all of this.

I'm just ecststic that his free throw % is way up.

DevinHarriswillstart · 12-29-2020, 12:35 PM

He is making his mid range shots, so I'm not worried at all. He had a nice turnaround fadeaway in the Clippers game that was as sweet as pie.

If his shot was broken, then you worry. It isn't.

DevinHarriswillstart · 12-29-2020, 12:35 PM

He is making his mid range shots, so I'm not worried at all. He had a nice turnaround fadeaway in the Clippers game that was as sweet as pie.

If his shot was broken, then you worry. It isn't.

EricaLubarsky · 12-30-2020, 10:26 PM

Luka continues to free fall when it comes to threes. He his single digits today with 9.5% shooting

When should we start to worry?

Threes open up his drive and his drive gives him the gravity he needs to be a star.

EricaLubarsky · 12-30-2020, 10:26 PM

Luka continues to free fall when it comes to threes. He his single digits today with 9.5% shooting

When should we start to worry?

DevinHarriswillstart · 12-30-2020, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Luka continues to free fall when it comes to threes. He his single digits today with 9.5% shooting

When should we start to worry?

The bigger worry is taking the game seriously. I'm glad he has fun, but his talent comes with a responsibility that he is currently not taking seriously.

Once again, the shot isn't broken. This is entirely discipline/mentality/game shape related IMO.

And to be fair, the rest of the team is just not good enough for Luka to not be great every night.

DevinHarriswillstart · 12-31-2020, 12:12 AM

Yep.

Luka Doncic: "I just think my legs are really tired, but it’s not an excuse." He has acknowledged that he's playing his way into shape after the short offseason.

VA-Mavs-Fan · 01-02-2021, 02:17 PM

I recall that Steve Nash became leaner, faster, quicker, when he became very serious about his off-season workouts. He realized that he was not a superior athlete compared to other guys in the NBA, so he had to work harder to become stronger, and leaner, etc.
I found this link https://www.nba.com/suns/blog/steve-...layer-workout#

IMO, like others have said, if Luka ever decides to commit to offseason workouts like Steve Nash, he will be unstoppable (e.g., imagine Luka, at 10 LBs lighter than he played last year, but stronger, quicker and with more endurance). Until then, he will be very good. Hopefully, he figures this out pretty quick

ChampsAgainShoon · 01-02-2021, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VA-Mavs-Fan

I recall that Steve Nash became leaner, faster, quicker, when he became very serious about his off-season workouts. He realized that he was not a superior athlete compared to other guys in the NBA, so he had to work harder to become stronger, and leaner, etc.
I found this link https://www.nba.com/suns/blog/steve-...layer-workout#

IMO, like others have said, if Luka ever decides to commit to offseason workouts like Steve Nash, he will be unstoppable (e.g., imagine Luka, at 10 LBs lighter than he played last year, but stronger, quicker and with more endurance). Until then, he will be very good. Hopefully, he figures this out pretty quick

Agreed

Nash and Dirk are two of the biggest overachievers in NBA history because they just worked super hard. If Luka adds the work super hard he will be an unstoppable beast. To me he's James Harden without working super hard maybe slightly better, but he's potentially Lebron with working super hard.

Thespiralgoeson · 01-02-2021, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChampsAgainShoon

Agreed

Nash and Dirk are two of the biggest overachievers in NBA history because they just worked super hard. If Luka adds the work super hard he will be an unstoppable beast. To me he's James Harden without working super hard maybe slightly better, but he's potentially Lebron with working super hard.

No matter how hard Luka works, I don't think his ceiling will ever be quite as high as Lebron's, because Lebron is probably the greatest physical specimen the sport has ever seen. That being said, I think Luka does have the potential to be a top 10 all time player. A guy who can win multiple championships and multiple MVPs.

ChampsAgainShoon · 01-02-2021, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

No matter how hard Luka works, I don't think his ceiling will ever be quite as high as Lebron's, because Lebron is probably the greatest physical specimen the sport has ever seen. That being said, I think Luka does have the potential to be a top `0 all time player. A guy who can win multiple championships and multiple MVPs.

Yeah I mean he'll never be as athletic as Lebron, but I think he can be up there as far as success depending on how much he dedicates himself to his craft although reaching 10 finals is tough to beat. Larry Bird was not super athletic either, but he is around the top 10 all time and a dog and someone you want on your team, just a winner. I don't think Luka will ever be like Larry Bird in that aspect either, but from talent you're just born with he's probably more talented than Bird without being the assassin Bird is. OTTH, Bird was a better shooter and better defensively.

Getting a little off subject what I miss about the Mavs that I hope Luka and KP can bring back is those double digit win streaks during the regular season. It's a sign of dominance over the league and we haven't had it since Prime Dirk, haven't had one since the championship season. Every non-Mavs fan that pays close attention to the team acted shocked that we won the championship, but before Dirk's injury during that season we were the best team in the league record wise.

Thespiralgoeson · 01-02-2021, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChampsAgainShoon

I don't think Luka will ever be like Larry Bird in that aspect either, but from talent you're just born with he's probably more talented than Bird without being the assassin Bird is. OTTH, Bird was a better shooter and better defensively.

I actually think Luka's ceiling might be just as high as Bird's. I think he might be every bit the "assassin" Bird was. Their skillsets are different, but Luka seems to have the same flare for the moment that all the greats do. If nothing else though, Luka might have advantage over Bird just by staying healthy. It's mostly been forgotten as the years have passed, but Bird actually had a pretty short career for an all-time great. He retired at 35, but his body started to break down while he was still in his prime. By 1988, he was in constant pain and could barely move. He sat out virtually all of '89 season, and in his last two years, he missed nearly half the games and spent many nights in the hospital in traction to rest his back, and then even when he wasn't missing games, he was wearing a back brace.

Medical science has come so far since the 80s, that as long as Luka doesn't destroy his back lifting cement for his grandmother's driveway, he should have a much longer career than Bird.

VA-Mavs-Fan · 01-02-2021, 02:17 PM

duplicate

VA-Mavs-Fan · 01-03-2021, 11:34 AM

Nobody knows what Luka's ceiling is. It really depends on how hard he wants to work. For example, his physical fitness, and his 3 pt. shot are really the only things holding him back. Those are things that he can work very hard on during the offseason. Imagine Luka 10 LBs lighter than last year and stronger; and shooting, say, 39% from 3pt. At the beginning of the year, a couple of the commentators said if he can shoot better in 3 pt area (maybe just 35%), then Luka would likely be a 35-10-10 guy on most games. I tend to agree. Its really, how hard is Luka willing to work. I am not saying he would be the same player as Bird, or LeBron - but he would be an amazing version of Luka. That's what he and we want - for him to be the most amazing version of Luka. (that's true for all of us - we all want to be the best version of ourselves, constantly improving).

sefant77 · 01-03-2021, 01:22 PM

Lukas ceiling is MVP, even as an average athlet

Thespiralgoeson · 01-08-2021, 11:24 AM

I'm absolutely loving Luka's midrange game so far this year. More of that, please.

DevinHarriswillstart · 01-08-2021, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I'm absolutely loving Luka's midrange game so far this year. More of that, please.

YES! ANd bring back the mid range game in general. Gets so tiresome seeing these threes jacked up night in and night out. The Warriors super team is over. Let's bring back the 2 pt shot.

mac222b · 01-08-2021, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

YES! ANd bring back the mid range game in general. Gets so tiresome seeing these threes jacked up night in and night out. The Warriors super team is over. Let's bring back the 2 pt shot.

In favour, as long as it’s not Brunson shooting a long two off the bounce.

MFFL · 01-08-2021, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I'm absolutely loving Luka's midrange game so far this year. More of that, please.

I'll have a helping of that too please

Thespiralgoeson · 01-11-2021, 12:30 PM

This game up in the last GDT, I figured i'd bring it here. Hoping its a long term trend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac222b

Luka’s defense looks much improved. Really impressed with his effort and smarts in that regard over these last few. Feeling like he could eventually be a real plus on that end if we get another ball handler scorer to lighten his load.

I was thinking the exact same thing these past two games. I always figured he had the potential to be a good defensive player. Not great, but good. Arguably the most important aspect of defense in today's NBA is versatility- i.e. being able to guard multiple positions and being able to switch. Luka's so big and strong that he can switch onto almost anyone and not be mismatched. A little like Jason Kidd back in the day. If he can apply his genius level basketball IQ to the defensive end the way he does on offense, then there's no reason he can't be an above average defender. The sample size is too small to judge yet, but the past couple of games looked like he's really starting to figure it out on defense- passing lanes in particular.

Thespiralgoeson · 01-11-2021, 12:30 PM

** double

EricaLubarsky · 01-11-2021, 09:52 PM

NBA Leaders in Clutch Scoring

Luka Doncic: 10.0 PPG
James Harden: 9.3 PPG
Damian Lillard: 7.3 PPG
Colin Sexton: 6.0 PPG
Christian Wood: 5.5 PPG