2018/19 ROY/Rookie Discussion Thread (Pt 2)

[stoo]

I'm just jumping in to say that Bagley is going to be the most improved rookie next season, just like Fox is now... Kings really have a bright future

[King Ken]

I'm just jumping in to say that Bagley is going to be the most improved rookie next season, just like Fox is now... Kings really have a bright future

I feel players like Trae, Sexton, Ayton, WCJ, Bagley, JJJ, Mikal Bridges, Donte D, Walker, Huerter, and Hutchinson are inline for major and in some cases massive jumps in 2019-2020

[shakes0]

This isn't knocking him, just re-framing: he's also averaging almost 5 TOs per game this month and his advanced #s are all pretty rough. Seems like he's been more 'not bad for a rookie!' than actual good player?

as coach Pierce said, the turnovers aren't bad considering how much useage he has. His A/To ratio is better than some other high usage superstars like Harden and Westbrick.


I'm not concerned with the turnovers, those will go down with experience.

[shakes0]

Well what happened to Trae today? 5 points on 1/12 shooting?

what happened was he thoroughly dissected the Bulls defense with his passing game en route to 12 assists in a win. And caused the Bulls to change their entire gameplan in the 2nd half and resort to doubling Trae as soon as he got to halfcourt...which in turn opened things up for everyone else.

He missed a lot fo shots, but they were all mostly good shots and most of them rimmed in and out. In other words, nothing to be alarmed about. Could've just as easily been a 20/10 game for him if a few more shots rolled in.

[stoo]

I'm just jumping in to say that Bagley is going to be the most improved rookie next season, just like Fox is now... Kings really have a bright future

I feel players like Trae, Sexton, Ayton, WCJ, Bagley, JJJ, Mikal Bridges, Donte D, Walker, Huerter, and Hutchinson are inline for major and in some cases massive jumps in 2019-2020

yes.. great rookie class alltogether... even Doncic..if he's already good, doesn't mean he's not gonna improve

[Young gun 6]

I'm just jumping in to say that Bagley is going to be the most improved rookie next season, just like Fox is now... Kings really have a bright future

John Collins.

[Archx]

Why are people even fighting about rookies shooting percentages, i'll never understand that. Lebron had horrible FG % in his rookie year and i think his career turned out pretty, hmmm.... ok-ish? I mean specially guards and wings, for centers it's a bit easier since most of their baskets are assisted but 1st and 2nd year players will always have some problems with their FG %. Even 5-8 year all star veterans will see some dips in their shooting % and no one complains about it.

[LukaV]

Excellent article (free to read) on Luka's workout with Curry in August, with some commentary from Steph's shooting coach and two short videos. https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/nba-insider-tom-haberstroh/weight-and-see-boogie-cousins-conundrum

[Archx]

Excellent article (free to read) on Luka's workout with Curry in August, with some commentary from Steph's shooting coach and two short videos. https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/nba-insider-tom-haberstroh/weight-and-see-boogie-cousins-conundrum

This just shows you how doubters are foolish when they say he is the end product or has a low ceiling because he is already this good. Then a pro trainer who extensively works with a guy like Steph comes in and gives you insight on how much more he can improve. Really impressive stuff and quite scary to even think about how much better he will eventually become. The combination of better shooting, dribbling and body strength could really sky rocket his game.

[LukaV]

A rough translation of Luka's interview with the Slovenian equivalent of BBC (national broadcasting service), available here https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/kosarka/doncic-ce-znas-igrati-kosarko-si-dober-tako-v-evropi-kot-v-nba/478074 .

You were asked several times how you adapted to playing in the NBA league. As you say, you didn't have problems with it, but nevertheless did you expect everything to go so quickly and that you'll fight your way to this position so soon?

I expected to get used to it quickly. It's true that I'm gettting to know the league better and better and I'm adjusting better. As I say, I knew I wouldn't have problems with it. In the end it's basketball. If you play it in Europe or in the USA, it's baskeball. If you know how to play basketball, you're good both in Europe and in the NBA. Everywhere. If not, you're not good anywhere.

The jump was probably easier now than it was when you joined Real Madrid's first team at the age of 16?

Of course. That was a lot more difficult at the time. Now I already knew I was capable of playing at this level. The main things is that I was really young back then. Now I've been through much already.

Nevertheless you mad a step forward and came into a new enviroment. What in the NBA surprised you or left a strong impression on you? Were you surprised by the rythm of the games? Although it was already hard in Europe, there are still more games and travel here.

I wasn't really surprised by anything. Even before, when I was still playing in Europe, I paid a lot of attention to the NBA and was expecting what awaited me here. It's true there's less training here. Certainly we trained more in Madrid. You have games all the time in the NBA. They follow in a tight schedule and if you have one bad game, you have another game in two days' time, at most three, and a chance to make it right. There's no pause here. You have to play 82 games and it's normal that there'll come bad games when you won't be playing well. Then you just have to work hard and focus on the next game that comes quickly.

Which team impressed you the most thus far and which player left the biggest impression on you? Is playing against such stars an extra factor of motivation?

There's a huge amount of good teams here and practically everyone can beat anyone. My task is to play every game the same, to give it my best and simply play basketball, regardless of the opponent. As for individual, I was impressed offensively by Kevin Durant and James Harden, they are truly remarkable on the attack.

You've mentioned two players that made the biggest impression on you offensively, but what about defensively, who caused you the most problems? Do you feel that you're already targeted harder by opponents? You've received quite a few hits in recent games.

I'd say Paul George and Jrue Holiday from New Orleans. I've received such hits before, so it's nothing new. It's also nothing special and I'm used to it from before. I think that yeah, all teams have good defensive players that constantly put a lot of pressure on you.

Many stars have said nothing but positive things about you. You're the topic of headlines of basketball and sport sites in Slovenia and the US. Do you follow everything that goes on?

I don't follow or read a lot of the media. I try to distance myself as much as possible from social media. I only have Instagram where I post photos. As for other basketball players I did catch some of what was said. Of course it's nice to hear those weirds, to be talked about like that by big baskteball names.

You fought yourself a leading role and a big trust by the coach and teammates. In clutch moments you're the one taking the responsibility and in those tense moments your shoot percentages ranks among the better in the league.

Of course the coach's trust means a lot to me. It's the same with my teammates and I hope it will continue to be like that. I have to justify that trust by playing well. Regarding the clutch shots it's what I love. I won't hesitate, I'll take those shots. I'm not afraid to take responsibility, but we do have a lot of quality players in the team that can successfully finish attacks in such clutch moments.

NBA isn't just about basketball, but the sports is also accompanied by a big show. Just the media attention is incredible. Especially for your, you always have a crowd of journalists waiting for you in the locker room. How are you getting used to this?

It was similar to this in Madrid, so I'm somewhat used to all this. Though there weren't so many journalists there as they are here, but that's just the way it is. After each game you have to answer a few questions and that's it.

One of the talking points of the league recently has been your ejection and punishment. How did you see everything?

Of course I didn't like what happened. It shouldn't have happened. It's bad for the team, for the player and for everyone. I'm glad it's all over and behind me. Those are the NBA rules and I respect them. I know I shouldn't have done that.

Are you aware of the euphoria caused by your games in Slovenia?
Yes, I do know that, I've been told. I really am grateful to all Slovenians for everything they're doing for me, for supporting me so. I'm really happy it's so. I know a lot of people get up during the nigh and watch the games. Truly incredible.

You left Ljubljana as very young and went to Madrid. Now a new relocation. How did you get used to living in the US?

Good. I think I've quite got used to it. It's not that special. Now it's like a sort of my home, but I'll be really happy to go to back to Slovenia.

How do you find Dallas? Did you have a chance to check it out?

I like Dallas. I've seen some of it, but not a lots, because I'm mostly at home, tired from the games, so I practically don't go around.

Looking back, receiving numerous awards, winning so many titles, being drafted and making a name for yourself in the NBA, can we name the year 2018 Luka's year?

Hm (laughter). Yes, it's truly been an incredible year and I definitely wish there were as many such years as possible in the future. Year 2018 was definitely a year I'll never forget.

[DannyAingeIsGod]

I don't see any busts in the top 12. Pretty wild.

If Knox didn't play for the Knicks and hadn't had a couple good games in summer league (which doesn't really matter that much) I don't know if we'd be saying that.

Wow I think knox has a high ceiling.

[nolang1]

I don't see any busts in the top 12. Pretty wild.

If Knox didn't play for the Knicks and hadn't had a couple good games in summer league (which doesn't really matter that much) I don't know if we'd be saying that.

Wow I think knox has a high ceiling.

You dug this up from like 2 weeks into the season, but what I was saying was that if Knox was shooting 37% from the field and posting a -5.6 BPM for the Suns or Cavs or whoever there'd be a lot more people (mostly in New York) willing to jump on him and call him a bust. There's a pretty strong track record of rookies for crappy Lakers/Knicks teams getting overhyped; basically if you score 10+ ppg for one of those teams as a rookie you're guaranteed a spot on an all-rookie team regardless of efficiency or team success.

[Riko]

If Knox didn't play for the Knicks and hadn't had a couple good games in summer league (which doesn't really matter that much) I don't know if we'd be saying that.

Wow I think knox has a high ceiling.

You dug this up from like 2 weeks into the season, but what I was saying was that if Knox was shooting 37% from the field and posting a -5.6 BPM for the Suns or Cavs or whoever there'd be a lot more people (mostly in New York) willing to jump on him and call him a bust. There's a pretty strong track record of rookies for crappy Lakers/Knicks teams getting overhyped; basically if you score 10+ ppg for one of those teams as a rookie you're guaranteed a spot on an all-rookie team regardless of efficiency or team success.

From what I have seen about Knox, he is not a bust.
Rookie year, besides the greatest, is just to see if someone has the tools to play in the league. Knox is big, long, and with good range (yeah I know the % is dropping but who cares).

Is he Durant? No, but a bust? I don't think he will be.

[E-Balla]

Wow I think knox has a high ceiling.

You dug this up from like 2 weeks into the season, but what I was saying was that if Knox was shooting 37% from the field and posting a -5.6 BPM for the Suns or Cavs or whoever there'd be a lot more people (mostly in New York) willing to jump on him and call him a bust. There's a pretty strong track record of rookies for crappy Lakers/Knicks teams getting overhyped; basically if you score 10+ ppg for one of those teams as a rookie you're guaranteed a spot on an all-rookie team regardless of efficiency or team success.

From what I have seen about Knox, he is not a bust.
Rookie year, besides the greatest, is just to see if someone has the tools to play in the league. Knox is big, long, and with good range (yeah I know the % is dropping but who cares).

Is he Durant? No, but a bust? I don't think he will be.

But then you bring college into it and he sucked there. He's Jeff Green 2.0. To me that's a bust.

[nolang1]

Wow I think knox has a high ceiling.

You dug this up from like 2 weeks into the season, but what I was saying was that if Knox was shooting 37% from the field and posting a -5.6 BPM for the Suns or Cavs or whoever there'd be a lot more people (mostly in New York) willing to jump on him and call him a bust. There's a pretty strong track record of rookies for crappy Lakers/Knicks teams getting overhyped; basically if you score 10+ ppg for one of those teams as a rookie you're guaranteed a spot on an all-rookie team regardless of efficiency or team success.

From what I have seen about Knox, he is not a bust.
Rookie year, besides the greatest, is just to see if someone has the tools to play in the league. Knox is big, long, and with good range (yeah I know the % is dropping but who cares).

Is he Durant? No, but a bust? I don't think he will be.

That may be the case. I'm just saying that if he had been on a small market team many would have been piling on him as a bust. It's like how people were saying Bagley was a bust at the start of the season because he wasn't getting much playing time.

[Riko]

From what I have seen about Knox, he is not a bust.
Rookie year, besides the greatest, is just to see if someone has the tools to play in the league. Knox is big, long, and with good range (yeah I know the % is dropping but who cares).

Is he Durant? No, but a bust? I don't think he will be.

But then you bring college into it and he sucked there. He's Jeff Green 2.0. To me that's a bust.

Is Jeff Green a bust? No. 10 years career, a lot of good teams and decent contribution (btw 66m in his career) plus still 3-4 years left in the league.
If the bar is being an 10 times All Star, every draft have 95% bust at best.

It's like how people were saying Bagley was a bust at the start of the season because he wasn't getting much playing time.

They were wrong, still not a good reason to make the same mistake.

[Fat]

Watch on YouTube

Forgot he was a rookie lol.. impressive game from trier

[Fat]

Can’t forget money making Mitch

Watch on YouTube

[NoDopeOnSundays]

32pts, 8rebs 8asts for Doncic.

Just give him the award during the allstar break.

[Oscar9992]

Unanimous ROTY is back! (Currently averaging 20+ PPG, 6,8 Rebs & 5,3 Assists!)

Luka with 32 Pts, 8 Rebs, 8 Assists, 2 Steals & 1 Block in W vs Pistons today

Watch on YouTube