Trae Young: I'll be better than Luka Doncic in 5-10 years

[burek3]

I'd say it's quite common for star players who are 5-10 year veterans to be better than whoever was the best rookie their rookie year. I think people are short sighted when they always assume the ROY will remain the best of his draft class, it doesn't always happen. In fact, it is less common for this to happen than for it not to happen. I noticed that players who come in NBA ready tend not to work on their game and improve over their career as much.

Over the last 20 years, I think the only players who were the best rookie and also remained the best player of their draft class through their prime was like Lebron...and AD? Maybe CP3? Maybe KD?

I think Doncic will be better but if Trae is better in 10 years it's not going to surprise me that much.

NBA players who shine early stay skilled for longer

[HeartBreakKid]

I'd say it's quite common for star players who are 5-10 year veterans to be better than whoever was the best rookie their rookie year. I think people are short sighted when they always assume the ROY will remain the best of his draft class, it doesn't always happen. In fact, it is less common for this to happen than for it not to happen. I noticed that players who come in NBA ready tend not to work on their game and improve over their career as much.

Over the last 20 years, I think the only players who were the best rookie and also remained the best player of their draft class through their prime was like Lebron...and AD? Maybe CP3? Maybe KD?

I think Doncic will be better but if Trae is better in 10 years it's not going to surprise me that much.

It's a bit more than LBJ and AD - but you have to take into account you're talking one player vs the entire field. Also, ROY is not necessarily the best rookie (not sure if you're taking this into account because you did mention AD who was the best rookie but not ROY). For example Steph Curry was the best rookie even though ROY was given to Tyreke Evans. If we limit the field to just blue chip prospects then Irving, Embiid, Jokic (he was better than KAT his rookie year despite popular belief) and Victor Oladipo fit the criteria as well.

[jonjames]

Trae ceiling: Mike Conley

Luka ceiling: Larry Bird

Trae will be better than Conley by end of year 2.


Luka's game already refined hard to see him getting much better than he is now. Let's see just how much impact he has for his team in the coming years.

[jayu70]

His numbers have improved dramatically every month but you’re right no chance he gets better. 20 year old rookies usually don’t improve.

7
One stat: 29%

Since mid December it’s 37%. It takes some rookies/younger players time to adjust....

Leave 'em be Atlhawks09.
Trae will forever be judged by some for the 19% he shot from 3 in November which impacts his overall percentage. He had a rough start to the season shooting from long distance. All I want is improvement as the season goes on.
Dec - 34%, Jan - 32% from 3, baby steps.

[Johnny Firpo]

I'm not sure why anyone would have confidence in Cuban with his past history of overpaying washed up vets.

That's fair enough, but then you have to mention the fact that Dallas is likely a more attractive destination. You could argue that we didn't have much success for premier free agents, but we really only started to try a couple of years ago, and came close twice (Deron and DeAndre). I just can't see any big names wanting to sign in Atlanta, unless Young really becomes the next Steph.

Only tried a couple of years ago? He has been desperately trying every year since the title win and has failed every time.

https://www.sbnation.com/2016/7/1/12078774/dallas-mavericks-free-agents-history-hassan-whiteside-deandre-jordan

What about when Shaq and T-Mac were very close to team up with Dirk in Dallas?

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-06-20-shaq-tmac_x.htm

Or when Dwight and CP3 almost did the same?

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--what-short-circuited-serious-plans-for-dwight-howard-and-chris-paul-to-play-together-in-dallas--110112.html?guccounter=1

These were confirmed plans btw. You can look at it that way of course, that we failed, or you can look at it that we actually came close to signing big names, it just did not happen. It could in the future, and I think we objectively have a much higher chance of making it happen than your Hawks does.

[BudenFerry]

That's fair enough, but then you have to mention the fact that Dallas is likely a more attractive destination. You could argue that we didn't have much success for premier free agents, but we really only started to try a couple of years ago, and came close twice (Deron and DeAndre). I just can't see any big names wanting to sign in Atlanta, unless Young really becomes the next Steph.

Only tried a couple of years ago? He has been desperately trying every year since the title win and has failed every time.

https://www.sbnation.com/2016/7/1/12078774/dallas-mavericks-free-agents-history-hassan-whiteside-deandre-jordan

What about when Shaq and T-Mac were very close to team up with Dirk in Dallas?

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-06-20-shaq-tmac_x.htm

Or when Dwight and CP3 almost did the same?

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--what-short-circuited-serious-plans-for-dwight-howard-and-chris-paul-to-play-together-in-dallas--110112.html?guccounter=1

These were confirmed plans btw. You can look at it that way of course, that we failed, or you can look at it that we actually came close to signing big names, it just did not happen. It could in the future, and I think we objectively have a much higher chance of making it happen than your Hawks does.

So we are counting "almosts" now?

I guess Philly gets credit for Lebron saying he gave them a look this past off-season



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[XTraderXL]

Trae ceiling: Mike Conley

Luka ceiling: Larry Bird

Trae will be better than Conley by end of year 2.


Luka's game already refined hard to see him getting much better than he is now. Let's see just how much impact he has for his team in the coming years.

Yeah, keep hoping thats the case. I would say you may have a point if we would be seeing stagnation in his development but the thing is he has been getting better and better consistently over the past 3.5 years since he has been playing pro. You are saying that he will all of the sudden stop improving while Young will keep getting better. Where is your proof? Luka is actually playing better in the NBA than he did in Europe (which is unbelievable and probably never happened before), is Young doing that as well?

[Triple7]

Of course he would say that. That’s the competitive side that’s talking. Personally, i doubt he gets better than luka. That guy is really something for a rookie, has got superstar potential. Trae could also be good, we’ll know probably in 3-5 years.

[Johnny Firpo]

So we are counting "almosts" now?

Of course, knowing that great players seriously considered playing in Dallas is an important information. Do you honestly feel Atlanta has the same pull as a city/market? Come on, be objective.

[BR0D1E86]

He’s wrong, but I don’t see anything wrong with his believing that. He should believe that.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

I like the confidence and am fine with the comments.

However, I just don’t see it with Young. Terrible efficiency. He is going to be nothing more than a low efficiency scorer. Which is fine, but not gamechanging. Dime a dozen today.

Why? Because he went through a REALLY bad stretch after his first 8 games or so? Hit the rookie wall like a lot of rookies do.

Check his efficiency recently. I see no reason to see why he can’t become an efficient player as he keeps improving.

Can he improve? Sure. I just don’t see it.

He is at 40% which to me is like the .200 “Mendoza line” in baseball. It’s the minimum expectation of a pro basketball player.

He wasn’t much better in college- 42%.

Guys can make a jump- I’m looking at De’Aaron Fox going from low 40’s to high 40’s. But I don’t see it with Trae because he takes horrendous shots. He is also much less gifted athletically than Fox.

This is all opinion based. But I’ve been watching NBA long enough to go with my eyes and my gut. And what I see is an undersized inefficient chucker who doesn’t play defense.

His 2 pt fg% is already good. His 3pt % just needs to hit 35% or so to become good. His FT% is good. I think he can hit threes and thus will not be inefficient. Even if he hits 1/3 threes it isn't so bad, though he shoots a lot of them.

[BudenFerry]

So we are counting "almosts" now?

Of course, knowing that great players seriously considered playing in Dallas is an important information. Do you honestly feel Atlanta has the same pull as a city/market? Come on, be objective.

I would say they are near the same. The Hawks acquired Paul Millsap as a free agent and he was a multiple time all-star with them. When is the last time the Mavs signed someone who became a multiple time all-star for them?

and this is while Dallas had a superstar and Atlanta did not. Dirk was a much better attraction than any single player on the Hawks.

The Mavs no longer have that luxury since Trae will attract players just as well as Luka will.

[King Ken]

Atlanta Hawks are 11-15 in the last 26 games with three starters who are 20, 20 and 21 years old and half of their starters being injured.

Dallas are also 11-15 in the last 26 games with championship and veteran experience.

The Hawks have now played 50 games. The Mavs have played 49.

Over the last 26 games — more than half the season:

Trae: 44.2% FG%, 35.4% 3FG%, 80.8% FT%
Luka: 43.0% FG%, 32.8% 3FG%, 70.4% FT%

[flipside21]

In 5 or 10 years he would have built a successful career if he were better than Luka is now.

[Johnny Firpo]

Dirk was a much better attraction than any single player on the Hawks.

He could have been, but by the time we created cap space, he was 32 I think, or maybe even 33.

The Mavs no longer have that luxury since Trae will attract players just as well as Luka will.

We don't know that though. I like Trae, and he is probably unfairly criticized, but there is a chance that Luka will be a significantly better player in a couple of years, and he looks to be one of the most popular ones. Heck, I'm not sure if he is not one of top 10 most popular players in the league already. Players did not vote him in, yes, but they obviously did not want to vote in a rookie, and thought he should pay his dues more. Stars and good players are still constantly raving about him, and I think he gives respect to anyone he is going up against, and seems to have already made friendships with star players. So I think we have/and could have a huge advantage here in the future.

[Johnny Firpo]

Trae: 44.2% FG%, 35.4% 3FG%, 80.8% FT%
Luka: 43.0% FG%, 32.8% 3FG%, 70.4% FT%

That's very nice of you, can we take a look at the total stats, scoring efficiency and advanced stats, both on offense and defense? Also, I seem to remember a discrepancy between the two conferences, what is their record against each other I wonder?

[BudenFerry]

Dirk was a much better attraction than any single player on the Hawks.

He could have been, but by the time we created cap space, he was 32 I think, or maybe even 33.

The Mavs no longer have that luxury since Trae will attract players just as well as Luka will.

We don't know that though. I like Trae, and he is probably unfairly criticized, but there is a chance that Luka will be a significantly better player in a couple of years, and he looks to be one of the most popular ones. Heck, I'm not sure if he is not one of top 10 most popular players in the league already. Players did not vote him in, yes, but they obviously did not want to vote in a rookie, and thought he should pay his dues more. Stars and good players are still constantly raving about him, and I think he gives respect to anyone he is going up against, and seems to have already made friendships with star players. So I think we have/and could have a huge advantage here in the future.

Just look at their current situations. Trae seems to have a much better relationship with his teammates than Luka. He also does a better job of improving those around him so far.

I think both are going to be great and should have players wanting to play for them.

[BadWolf]

Trae: 44.2% FG%, 35.4% 3FG%, 80.8% FT%
Luka: 43.0% FG%, 32.8% 3FG%, 70.4% FT%

That's very nice of you, can we take a look at the total stats, scoring efficiency and advanced stats, both on offense and defense? Also, I seem to remember a discrepancy between the two conferences, what is their record against each other I wonder?

counting stats are not that far off as you'd think
3% ts
3 rebounds
-2 assits

Luka runs away in advanced stats

[King Ken]

Trae: 44.2% FG%, 35.4% 3FG%, 80.8% FT%
Luka: 43.0% FG%, 32.8% 3FG%, 70.4% FT%

That's very nice of you, can we take a look at the total stats, scoring efficiency and advanced stats, both on offense and defense? Also, I seem to remember a discrepancy between the two conferences, what is their record against each other I wonder?

Keep that same energy Johnny. Trae is an offensive wizard. His impact will only tremendously improve as will his teammates.

Trae defense with the exception of last night has been miles better before in his first two months. Considering he didn't even play any defense at OU, we are in a great place.

In the last 26 games, 4 of those wins for Atlanta was v. Western conference teams. For Atlanta, 3 had winning records from the west. Two were top 4 teams in the west.

6 for Dallas. Of those teams in the west with winning records, 3 had winning records.

Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping

Watch on YouTube

[Johnny Firpo]

Just look at their current situations. Trae seems to have a much better relationship with his teammates than Luka. He also does a better job of improving those around him so far.

I can't agree with that, sorry. Collins would probably be an even better fit for Luka than he is for Young (Doncic is a significantly better pick&roll player), and Collins is actually a better fit than DeAndre. Same goes for Huerter, who is btw one of my favorite rookies. I would be ecstatic if we'd have him instead of Barnes. And this goes to King Ken more than it does to you, our starting lineup is a mess. It is literally the worst lineup in the league (statistically), with Luka having to play together with a bunch of ill-fitting pieces. An yet he has great advanced stats even with those anchors pulling him down. DSJ, Matthews and Barnes are not bad players, but they are terrible fits next to Luka, especially DSJ and Barnes. Matthews is actually a solid fit when he is playing within the system.

I think both are going to be great and should have players wanting to play for them.

I agree with this, and I'm rooting for Young, he is a very exciting young player.