Luka Doncic

[Sports Geek]

I have found a per 36 minutes stat about Doncic. I think it could be useful to translate his numbers to the amount of minutes a key player could play in the NBA.

In Euroleague per 36 he would be: 16.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.5 blocks, 3.3 turnovers.

[jrob23]

That explains why Doncic got those several round-MVPs. The formula, stats and numbers must have a soft spot for his looks ...

At this point it doesn't look like it's going to be much of a task to be 5 times the NBA player Hezonja is, either.

Even tho I never liked Hezonja, I am not writing him off just yet.

Yeah, same here. I still think he can end up being a solid 6th man type of player, scoring punch from the bench.

I think Doncic might actually be almost as good of a playmaker as Ben Simmons. He seems to be better than JJ, and as good as Ball. I wonder what he would look like if he could lead a team like Ball does.

It's the part of his game that's a bit hidden this year, that's one of the sacrifices he (and his game) had to take playing for such a top team. It's rather unfortunate because it might even be the BEST part of his game.

I hope he doesn't get drafted by a team with a dominant PG, something that's actually quite likely since there's lots of top PGs in this year's draft. And Boston (perhaps the most likely destination for Doncic) already has a dominant PG (even if Isaiah is running hotter than the sun this year and returns back to the mean next year).

try to keep up. He's obviously a very skilled and talented young man. But to raise him to Lebron status and #1 overall in the draft there are other factors at play here. Has to be. Because he ain't THAT good. Jeter was also propped up by his looks. Dude won awards when he didn't deserve them and at one time was maybe the 3rd best young SS behind Nomar and Arod yet he received the lion's share of media attention. Looks do play a major role in whether a great player becomes a star attraction.

[UcanUwill]

That explains why Doncic got those several round-MVPs. The formula, stats and numbers must have a soft spot for his looks ...

Even tho I never liked Hezonja, I am not writing him off just yet.

Yeah, same here. I still think he can end up being a solid 6th man type of player, scoring punch from the bench.

I think Doncic might actually be almost as good of a playmaker as Ben Simmons. He seems to be better than JJ, and as good as Ball. I wonder what he would look like if he could lead a team like Ball does.

It's the part of his game that's a bit hidden this year, that's one of the sacrifices he (and his game) had to take playing for such a top team. It's rather unfortunate because it might even be the BEST part of his game.

I hope he doesn't get drafted by a team with a dominant PG, something that's actually quite likely since there's lots of top PGs in this year's draft. And Boston (perhaps the most likely destination for Doncic) already has a dominant PG (even if Isaiah is running hotter than the sun this year and returns back to the mean next year).

try to keep up. He's obviously a very skilled and talented young man. But to raise him to Lebron status and #1 overall in the draft there are other factors at play here. Has to be. Because he ain't THAT good. Jeter was also propped up by his looks. Dude won awards when he didn't deserve them and at one time was maybe the 3rd best young SS behind Nomar and Arod yet he received the lion's share of media attention. Looks do play a major role in whether a great player becomes a star attraction.

People giving him benefit of the doubt because he is 17. And for 17 year old, he is THAT good. Its just a question, what do you believe his ceiling is.

[saphan]

A minute ago he just made a TOP 1 play... it's gonna be all over internet in a bit. lol

[kayath]

yeah some of the previous posters said that his handles are meh, right.

[BoardCrusher]

really good game by doncic against baskonia, PIR 30, his play is probably a play of the week

[UcanUwill]

Another fantastic game, by Doncic, 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists (30 PIR) against strong Vitoria team. Had some money down and was confident in Real win, partially because of Doncic. I can't recall this happening, not in the past 15 years at least, where I would go, oh, I have complete faith in this European powerhouse, because of a 17 year old, you know. Its ridiculous.

[hopp]

Read on Twitter

[Sports Geek]

I could say a lot of things about his game tonight... Well actually I can't, I am speechless.

For the haters:

[saphan]

Watch on YouTube

[Sports Geek]

Do you really think I wasn't going to talk about this? He showed everything I have been pointing out lately:

- Very good ballhandler, he is just shy to show it.

- He is money on the post on smaller guards and able to defend them on the pick & roll (Larkin and Beaubois, NBA caliber athletes)

- He is not scared of taking resposibilities.

- The best playmaker in Real Madrid by far.

- He scores super easy.

- He rebounds as a PF even starting from PG position.

- When he is on the court his team always go +.

- You give him the ball, good things happen. Having him on a wing is wasting a huge part of his talent.

- He makes veteran players look like teenagers. He is the one in control, not Larkin or Beaubois who had to adjust to stop him.

- He is super humble. He was asked about that awesome play after the game and he said he learned it from Llull on practices. And he fell down over some people in the second row and he was asking for forgiveness to them even when he was back on the court to start playing again. And he stopped to sign autographs and take pics with children. In Baskonia. In the Basque Country. Where Real Madrid is the enemy, he was asked for autographs. Everybody in this thread is talking about his body being built enough or not for the NBA. His mind is built for it. He behaves like a veteran.

Now tell me I am crazy, but if he keeps doing like this until the end of the season, he is one of the favorites for the MVP of the season award. He is in playing in the best team by now, and these are his PIR in the last 6 games: 31, 12, 32, 12, 23, 30, so averaging 23.3. I am pretty sure no other player in the league is putting better numbers in this period.

[Goon]

So hard to grasp that he'll only turn 18 in a few weeks. What a game again, such a joy to watch, so composed ...

[Enjuto]

I see basketball for a lot of years and it is simple i never see nothing equal in Europe with just 17 years. He is probably one of the top 5 players in Europe, I don't know where his limit is.

[Cipoteman]

Tonight's 1st half was awful for him, but he gave a pure exhibition on crunch time

He entered with 02:47 left in the 3rdQ (score: 47-57) and if I'm not mistaken he was able to do all this until Llull entered and took over the PG position in the middle 4th (score: 64-74)

11 points (only 1 miss)
5 rebounds
3 assists
4 fouls drawn
0 turnovers

BTW, as much as Llull is often mentioned as one of the best non-NBA players, Real Madrid is much better when Luka takes the PG duties. Llull overdribbles, makes very risky passes all the time and takes several bad shoots per game...

Luka's averaging Jason Kidd-esque stats in the last few games

Last 6 EL games (6W - 0L):
12.5 PPG (61% T2, 50% T3, 78% FT)
5.7 RPG
5.5 APG
1 TOPG
23.3 PIR 6V - 0D.

[baldur]

he looks awesome. top 3 in the 2018 draft most likely?

[reanimator]

For the sake of Europe, he better turn into an NBA superstar or I'll never take their hype serious ever again. Not a Hayward, Batum, Iguodala level of player but a bonafide franchise player. I'm still waiting to see his shiftiness and pull-up btw.

[Sports Geek]

For the sake of Europe, he better turn into an NBA superstar or I'll never take their hype serious ever again. Not a Hayward, Batum, Iguodala level of player but a bonafide franchise player. I'm still waiting to see his shiftiness and pull-up btw.

Not hype man. Look at his numbers. Even if you don't watch his games, just take a look at his humbers. He is leading the best team in the competition. In the race for the MVP of the season at the age of 17.

How can you put a "but" to his game today? Don't hate, celebrate.

Do you realize Iguodala can't do anything but defend? It is painful to see the way he shoots. He has always been just legs and shoulders. Why most Americans don't realize there is a skill you can't work out in the gym? The brain is not a muscle. You have it or not. This guy has THE brain. Plus he is super strong and fast enough even at 17. What else do you need?

How can't you understand NCAA is a joke compared to Euroleague? How can't you understand the level of pressure a Real Madrid player has to deal with? Go to marca.com (the most sold sports newspaper in Europe before the internet boom, no idea how it is ranked now) and take a look at the place they give to Real Madrid and Doncic's game. Well over the Davis Cup (Spain played today), the Formula 1, the NBA,... And he always wants the ball, never gets scared. Even when he knows what happens if they lose 2 games in a row. Even when he knows everybody is staring at him. Not just in Spain, in Europe and America too. He is a winner, a leader. You can't work that out in the gym either. I don't care if a guy makes 30/10/10 in the NCAA. He wouldn't do that in the Euroleague. And if we talk about a senior High School player... Don't you realize how sick this is? He should be in High School, for God's sake!!! But he is playing for the team that scored 142 points to OKC this preseason. And he has faced Westbrook, Oladipo, Navarro, De Colo, Spanoulis, Teodosic, Larkin and a super long etc of players that could easily compete in the NBA or already did and his team keeps winning. And 8 of his teammates have NBA experience. And still he is shining more than any of them right now. And he is 17!!!

Do you think Popovich would choose one of those super athletes playing with high school kids or Doncic right now? Please be honest. I am pretty sure he would choose Luka. And he is the most successful active coach.

Is he going to be an NBA superstar? We will have to wait. Different rules, different game style. But what he is doing right now deserves to be pointed like once in a lifetime. Hands down.

[reanimator]

Do you think Popovich would choose one of those super athletes playing with high school kids or Doncic right now? Please be honest. I am pretty sure he would choose Luka. And he is the most successful active coach.

Buford/Pop would not hesitate to take Markelle Fultz/Lonzo Ball/Josh Jackson/Dennis Smith Jr and maybe Isaac/Tatum over Doncic. Same probably could be said for Michael Porter Jr, Mo Bamba and DeAndre Ayton.

[Sports Geek]

Do you think Popovich would choose one of those super athletes playing with high school kids or Doncic right now? Please be honest. I am pretty sure he would choose Luka. And he is the most successful active coach.

Buford/Pop would not hesitate to take Markelle Fultz/Lonzo Ball/Josh Jackson/Dennis Smith Jr and maybe Isaac/Tatum over Doncic. Same probably could be said for Michael Porter Jr, Mo Bamba and DeAndre Ayton.

Did he tell you so? Because he told me that Doncic would have meaningful minutes in his rotation this year.

Hey, please do me a favor. Watch tonight's game then call Popovich again.

Now seriously. Look at the size of those guys you mention rivals'. Don't be so stubborn, The difference is quite obvious. How many of them will get to be professionals? Probably none of them besides the ones you mention.

And about them: they are just prospects, because for example, Ball has a long way to go. Look at his shooting motion. Will he improve? No idea, but he can't go to the NBA shooting like that. Doncic is ready to help in the NBA already.

Are you sick about European busts in the draft? I am sick about Olowakandis, Kwames, Thabeets, Odens, Bennetts (he went -1 PIR in his Euroleague's game today), Flynns,... They are privileged athletes they said. They will learn how to play they said. This is not maths or an athletic competition, man. You can have a player with all the perfect physical requirements to dominate and still being useless for his team.

[reanimator]

Do you think Popovich would choose one of those super athletes playing with high school kids or Doncic right now? Please be honest. I am pretty sure he would choose Luka. And he is the most successful active coach.

Buford/Pop would not hesitate to take Markelle Fultz/Lonzo Ball/Josh Jackson/Dennis Smith Jr and maybe Isaac/Tatum over Doncic. Same probably could be said for Michael Porter Jr, Mo Bamba and DeAndre Ayton.

Did he tell you so? Because he told me that Doncic would have meaningful minutes in his rotation this year.

Hey, please do me a favor. Watch tonight's game then call Popovich again.

Now seriously. Look at the size of those guys you mention rivals'. Don't be so stubborn, The difference is quite obvious. How many of them will get to be professionals? Probably none of them besides the ones you mention.

And about them: they are just prospects, because for example, Ball has a long way to go. Look at his shooting motion. Will he improve? No idea, but he can't go to the NBA shooting like that. Doncic is ready to help in the NBA already.

Are you sick about European busts in the draft? I am sick about Olowakandis, Kwames, Thabeets, Odens, Bennetts (he went -1 PIR in his Euroleague's game today), Flynns,... They are privileged athletes they said. They will learn how to play they said. This is not maths or an athletic competition, man. You can have a player with all the perfect physical requirements to dominate and still being useless for his team.

Trust me, this thread will be bumped and we will compare their numbers once they are all in the league.