Luka Dončić Discussion - Year 6

[Dirk]

He better extend again if he's asking for and getting all these personnel moves

Yet there are certain teams -- cough * Lakers * cough -- who plan to go after younger MVP-level players when they're finishing their second contracts.

Intriguing one.

If he demands out and Mavs have leverage for a trade... then the haul will be massive and potentially deplete the other team.

[Oscar9992]

Surprising defensive stats for Luka

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[Oscar9992]

Looks like Luka is the best Post Defender in NBA this season...

[Mavrelous]

Looks like Luka is the best Post Defender in NBA this season...

That actually I could buy, he's strong and physical, and is master at poking the posting player dribble.

[BliscoSantos]

Looks like Luka is the best Post Defender in NBA this season...

That actually I could buy, he's strong and physical, and is master at poking the posting player dribble.

I mean, if you remember the game against MIN he did defend Towns pretty good

He's not an excelent defender,but he can be a good one when he gives effort...the problem is that most of the time he takes a break on D,coasts...if he would have been locked in the entire time he'd be solid...they wouldn't targets him as much

[41Dirk41]

The narrative about Luka and Kyrie worse defenders in the world is ended when we added size and basketball players on the frontcourt. Strange.

Obviously they can't defend strong for 82 games.

[Oscar9992]

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[Michaellam1987]

I expect Luka's point and rebound per game will drop a bit after acquiring 2 capable frontcourt players that can score/rebound. But with the improving team results, plus more saved energy from rebounding to other aspects, it can enhance his stage to become true MVP caliber player.

[ozwizard8]

He better extend again if he's asking for and getting all these personnel moves

Yet there are certain teams -- cough * Lakers * cough -- who plan to go after younger MVP-level players when they're finishing their second contracts.

Letting Brunson go...
Then trading DFS-Dinwiddie for Kyrie to miss playoffs.
After that, Luka has every right to demand big man and wing players.

Mavs would hope he extends but at this point Mavs should try to build around him for Luka not to ask trade.

[ozwizard8]

I expect Luka's point and rebound per game will drop a bit after acquiring 2 capable frontcourt players that can score/rebound. But with the improving team results, plus more saved energy from rebounding to other aspects, it can enhance his stage to become true MVP caliber player.

54 games played 28 left?
Even if Luka's rebounding decreases it shouldn't lower the averages too much.

That being said if Mavs start to win games early on, his minutes may get further reduced which would affect the PPG considerably.

All said, I agree that MVP bid requires a top seeding. Embiid seems to be gone. Giannis shouldn't get one as their record gone downward. Shai has a bid but numbers are not there IMO. Best candidate is Jokic.
Denver can take the #1 or #2 seed if they care for it.

Luka and Mavs can make it #5 seed but going up more would depend on some injuries occurring to top teams or Wolves, Thunder losing their composure.

[BliscoSantos]

I expect Luka's point and rebound per game will drop a bit after acquiring 2 capable frontcourt players that can score/rebound. But with the improving team results, plus more saved energy from rebounding to other aspects, it can enhance his stage to become true MVP caliber player.

54 games played 28 left?
Even if Luka's rebounding decreases it shouldn't lower the averages too much.

That being said if Mavs start to win games early on, his minutes may get further reduced which would affect the PPG considerably.

All said, I agree that MVP bid requires a top seeding. Embiid seems to be gone. Giannis shouldn't get one as their record gone downward. Shai has a bid but numbers are not there IMO. Best candidate is Jokic.
Denver can take the #1 or #2 seed if they care for it.

Luka and Mavs can make it #5 seed but going up more would depend on some injuries occurring to top teams or Wolves, Thunder losing their composure.

The media narrative that Luka's usg% is far above some others players is made up...yes he has a high usg% but Kyrie and Exum(the other players who can create) have missed significant time...if the team was healthy he would have lover usg%...Giannis, Ant and SGA aren't that far behind him,meanwhile Embiid is first in usg%...maybe they criticize him cause he missed the playoffs last year and cause the team isn't exactly consistent this year...I kind of get the same vibe from the media about Luka like they used to treat Jokič...and what do both of this players have in common? they're European and they're white...we know race played a huge factor in last years MVP discussion and we've seen plenty of former NBA players (that haven't really done anything, like Kenyon Martin,Gilbert Arenas) talk bad about Luka(and before him Joker) and hyping american players... They're hyping up Lamelo, Haliburton and Brunson...Brunsons and Halis team are playing good, but it's not like Brunson is playing different than Luka... he's also heavy usg%,ISO Player, it's Just that he's playing with better players(not counting Kyrie)

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/usage?dir=A&sort=USG_PCT

[Oscar9992]

Luka shocks the crowd with a high arc halfcourt shots during practice!

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[Oscar9992]

Off bounce halfcourt shot

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[Oscar9992]

I expect Luka's point and rebound per game will drop a bit after acquiring 2 capable frontcourt players that can score/rebound. But with the improving team results, plus more saved energy from rebounding to other aspects, it can enhance his stage to become true MVP caliber player.

But assists number will only go up. I hope for 30-7-10 line...

[Oscar9992]

Joking around with Jokic

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[Oscar9992]

Nikola Jokic: "I don’t want to leave Denver... If Luka gets pissed off in Dallas, he can come"

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[ACMFFL]

Even if Luka asks to be traded to Denver, Nuggets still have nothing to offer and honestly I can't see Doncic turning down the supermax just to play with his friend.

[skywalker33]

Even if Luka asks to be traded to Denver, Nuggets still have nothing to offer and honestly I can't see Doncic turning down the supermax just to play with his friend.

Well, he might want to win a title or two, don't see that happening in Dallas right now.

[ACMFFL]

Even if Luka asks to be traded to Denver, Nuggets still have nothing to offer and honestly I can't see Doncic turning down the supermax just to play with his friend.

Well, he might want to win a title or two, don't see that happening in Dallas right now.

Still not a good reason to gift him to Denver, sorry.
If he asks to be moved, Dallas just trades him to the higher bidder.

Anyway Luka doesnt strike me as that guy who would take the easy way just to win a chip as the Robin on another megastar's team.

Right now we are definitely not title material but ihmo they are on the right path to build a legit contender.

[Bob8]

Even if Luka asks to be traded to Denver, Nuggets still have nothing to offer and honestly I can't see Doncic turning down the supermax just to play with his friend.

Well, he might want to win a title or two, don't see that happening in Dallas right now.

Still not a good reason to gift him to Denver, sorry.
If he asks to be moved, Dallas just trades him to the higher bidder.

Anyway Luka doesnt strike me as that guy who would take the easy way just to win a chip as the Robin on another megastar's team.

Right now we are definitely not title material but ihmo they are on the right path to build a legit contender.

I don't believe Luka will leave Dallas easily, but if he doesn't see bright future, he will be out very quickly, because he's only interested in winning.