2022-23 NBA MVP Discussion (Pt.1)

[Bob8]

Spoiler:

So you know why Luka doesn’t play consistent defense? Or do you know Luka doesn’t consistently play defense

Ones a fact the other is an opinion lol

Btw- this is the mvp race we all wanted - a start of the year in shape Luka!!! No excuse Luka let’s go!

Uhmm, we already discussed this. Doncic knows he doesn't play defense consistently as good as he should have, part of it is conditioning and part of it is he instantly becomes passive when fouls start to pile up or he simply doesn't want to foul. Last year he went to extreme when even Kidd called him out and told him to start trying and move his feet.

But again, it is a valid criticism, no one denies that... But to simply say that he's a **** defender or whatever, that's wrong. You can say he just takes too many nights off or is lazy on that end, that we can agree on.

But let's not pretend that Bucks have poor defenders behind Giannis, he's getting a lot of help aswell. I kinda wish we would see those two play together sometime in the future, would be totally unfair for the rest of the league lol.

I guess that's why he said playing in NBA is easier. One doesn't have to play defense consistently.

D won't decided this race, if Luka finishes 35+ points and near triple double, MVP is his. Toronto doubled him all night and he still had 35 points with only 15 FGA, that tells you everything. He's averaging 36 with 63% TS and bad 3 pts%, when he starts shooting his normal 35%...

[NBA4Lyfe]

Doncic has that kind of raw talent that everybody dreams of, that talent you can´t just develop by working hard.

luka= glorified james harden

harden was hated when he put up these numbers consistently

in 19-20 season in late january harden was at an average of 39.5 ppg on the season, and was only 7th on nba.com kia mvp ladder

[CharityStripe34]

It would be interesting to see how Luka will play if Dallas is ever able to pair him with another All-Star/All-NBA player. Would he thrive on a team where he doesn't have to do absolutely everything on offense?

The voters do love a "carry-job" narrative so if Luka keeps piling up monster stats and the Mavs are a Top 4-5 seed, he's going to garner a big campaign. And I'm not diminishing how great he's been. He's a deserving early candidate.

[Ambrose]

It would be interesting to see how Luka will play if Dallas is ever able to pair him with another All-Star/All-NBA player. Would he thrive on a team where he doesn't have to do absolutely everything on offense?

The voters do love a "carry-job" narrative so if Luka keeps piling up monster stats and the Mavs are a Top 4-5 seed, he's going to garner a big campaign. And I'm not diminishing how great he's been. He's a deserving early candidate.

I think Luka would thrive with lots of types of All Star/All NBA caliber guys.

[Packbuckman]

Spoiler:

You were either looking at the wrong numbers or they didn't account for tonights games. The difference is much smaller than what you wrote.
Luka is a good defender when he wants to be, problem is, he doesn't do it often to conserve his energy, that's his weakness.

So you know why Luka doesn’t play consistent defense? Or do you know Luka doesn’t consistently play defense

Ones a fact the other is an opinion lol

Btw- this is the mvp race we all wanted - a start of the year in shape Luka!!! No excuse Luka let’s go!

Uhmm, we already discussed this. Doncic knows he doesn't play defense consistently as good as he should have, part of it is conditioning and part of it is he instantly becomes passive when fouls start to pile up or he simply doesn't want to foul. Last year he went to extreme when even Kidd called him out and told him to start trying and move his feet.

But again, it is a valid criticism, no one denies that... But to simply say that he's a **** defender or whatever, that's wrong. You can say he just takes too many nights off or is lazy on that end, that we can agree on.

But let's not pretend that Bucks have poor defenders behind Giannis, he's getting a lot of help aswell. I kinda wish we would see those two play together sometime in the future, would be totally unfair for the rest of the league lol.

Milwaukee will welcome Luka when his contract is up

[sunsbg]

Uhmm, we already discussed this. Doncic knows he doesn't play defense consistently as good as he should have, part of it is conditioning and part of it is he instantly becomes passive when fouls start to pile up or he simply doesn't want to foul. Last year he went to extreme when even Kidd called him out and told him to start trying and move his feet.

But again, it is a valid criticism, no one denies that... But to simply say that he's a **** defender or whatever, that's wrong. You can say he just takes too many nights off or is lazy on that end, that we can agree on.

But let's not pretend that Bucks have poor defenders behind Giannis, he's getting a lot of help aswell. I kinda wish we would see those two play together sometime in the future, would be totally unfair for the rest of the league lol.

I guess that's why he said playing in NBA is easier. One doesn't have to play defense consistently.

D won't decided this race, if Luka finishes 35+ points and near triple double, MVP is his. Toronto doubled him all night and he still had 35 points with only 15 FGA, that tells you everything. He's averaging 36 with 63% TS and bad 3 pts%, when he starts shooting his normal 35%...

I wouldn't be so sure. Team record is still very important. If Bucks end with a much better record than Mavs and Giannis is putting great stats on his own he can still win it. Luka will go back to 35% on 3s, but probably still end with 32-34ppg. 8 games are not like 82 games. He will certainly has ups and downs. Btw, remember saying in our early discussions a few seasons ago, I can see him going after Harden's scoring record rather than Westbrook's TD records. Turns out I was right.

[Archx]

It would be interesting to see how Luka will play if Dallas is ever able to pair him with another All-Star/All-NBA player. Would he thrive on a team where he doesn't have to do absolutely everything on offense?

The voters do love a "carry-job" narrative so if Luka keeps piling up monster stats and the Mavs are a Top 4-5 seed, he's going to garner a big campaign. And I'm not diminishing how great he's been. He's a deserving early candidate.

I think Luka would thrive with lots of types of All Star/All NBA caliber guys.

I haven't seen a guy throwing so many passes to McGee under the rim, trying to make something happen, as Luka. I think this guy is desperate of playing with a really good player.

In some ways, Wood has been better than KP on offense but Kidd for some weird reason plays him only 25mpg and both play limited minutes together.

I can see him going after Harden's scoring record rather than Westbrook's TD records. Turns out I was right.

Not so sure about that. He's sitting at league highest 49% AST%, which is also his highest so far in career. Harden in his "scoring champ campaign" was at 40% and 36%. Obviously season is still young but it just shows that Luka still does want to pass and get others involved more than he likes to score.

[juanc]

Watch on YouTube

[Bob8]

I guess that's why he said playing in NBA is easier. One doesn't have to play defense consistently.

D won't decided this race, if Luka finishes 35+ points and near triple double, MVP is his. Toronto doubled him all night and he still had 35 points with only 15 FGA, that tells you everything. He's averaging 36 with 63% TS and bad 3 pts%, when he starts shooting his normal 35%...

I wouldn't be so sure. Team record is still very important. If Bucks end with a much better record than Mavs and Giannis is putting great stats on his own he can still win it. Luka will go back to 35% on 3s, but probably still end with 32-34ppg. 8 games are not like 82 games. He will certainly has ups and downs. Btw, remember saying in our early discussions a few seasons ago, I can see him going after Harden's scoring record rather than Westbrook's TD records. Turns out I was right.

I don't know, he had a very big room for improvement in 3pt% and Mavs have no other realistic game plan with this roster.

[Oscar9992]

Even Giannis knows who is the real top G this season

[Cubbies2120]

Watch on YouTube

Gotta ask y'all, am I the only one that's put off by players doing what Christian Wood does at the 10 second mark in that video?

He sees his teammate already shot the ball, but continues to stand there with his hands out like he's expecting the pass, for over a second, as the ball is on its way to rim.

Either run back on defense, or crash the boards, don't stand there like you're upset that your teammate didn't pass the ball to you lol.

[sunsbg]

D won't decided this race, if Luka finishes 35+ points and near triple double, MVP is his. Toronto doubled him all night and he still had 35 points with only 15 FGA, that tells you everything. He's averaging 36 with 63% TS and bad 3 pts%, when he starts shooting his normal 35%...

I wouldn't be so sure. Team record is still very important. If Bucks end with a much better record than Mavs and Giannis is putting great stats on his own he can still win it. Luka will go back to 35% on 3s, but probably still end with 32-34ppg. 8 games are not like 82 games. He will certainly has ups and downs. Btw, remember saying in our early discussions a few seasons ago, I can see him going after Harden's scoring record rather than Westbrook's TD records. Turns out I was right.

I don't know, he had a very big room for improvement in 3pt% and Mavs have no other realistic game plan with this roster.

FGA, 2FG% and FTs are up compared to previous seasons though, so question is if those are sustainable. Hard for a full season. Still too early - 7 players with 30+ ppg atm + a few more with 30ish if they take same number of shots as Luka. In comparison when Harden won MVP with 36ppg the next best scorers were at 27, which made it look more impressive. If Bucks win 10+ more games, I think it's Giannis.

[sunsbg]

It would be interesting to see how Luka will play if Dallas is ever able to pair him with another All-Star/All-NBA player. Would he thrive on a team where he doesn't have to do absolutely everything on offense?

The voters do love a "carry-job" narrative so if Luka keeps piling up monster stats and the Mavs are a Top 4-5 seed, he's going to garner a big campaign. And I'm not diminishing how great he's been. He's a deserving early candidate.

I think Luka would thrive with lots of types of All Star/All NBA caliber guys.

I haven't seen a guy throwing so many passes to McGee under the rim, trying to make something happen, as Luka. I think this guy is desperate of playing with a really good player.

In some ways, Wood has been better than KP on offense but Kidd for some weird reason plays him only 25mpg and both play limited minutes together.

I can see him going after Harden's scoring record rather than Westbrook's TD records. Turns out I was right.

Not so sure about that. He's sitting at league highest 49% AST%, which is also his highest so far in career. Harden in his "scoring champ campaign" was at 40% and 36%. Obviously season is still young but it just shows that Luka still does want to pass and get others involved more than he likes to score.

From what I remember Mavs fans wanted any of Suns three Cs claiming they are better than Powell. Now I see McGee was benched for him in last game.

If I understand AST% correctly it's just another stat showing Luka is ball dominant. Being ball dominant doesn't necessarily mean a player only looks to score. I think I'm after AST% to usage ratio, which is more indicative of player's desire to share the ball, but can't find a site atm.

[Bob8]

I wouldn't be so sure. Team record is still very important. If Bucks end with a much better record than Mavs and Giannis is putting great stats on his own he can still win it. Luka will go back to 35% on 3s, but probably still end with 32-34ppg. 8 games are not like 82 games. He will certainly has ups and downs. Btw, remember saying in our early discussions a few seasons ago, I can see him going after Harden's scoring record rather than Westbrook's TD records. Turns out I was right.

I don't know, he had a very big room for improvement in 3pt% and Mavs have no other realistic game plan with this roster.

FGA, 2FG% and FTs are up compared to previous seasons though, so question is if those are sustainable. Hard for a full season. Still too early - 7 players with 30+ ppg atm + a few more with 30ish if they take same number of shots as Luka. In comparison when Harden won MVP with 36ppg the next best scorers were at 27, which made it look more impressive. If Bucks win 10+ more games, I think it's Giannis.

No, Luka is a new Nba's golden boy, Giannis will need to be substantially better to get another reward.

If you look Mavs games, Luka is just playing around, he's not half as serious as Giannis is, he has a big room for improvement still.

[Archx]

I think Luka would thrive with lots of types of All Star/All NBA caliber guys.

I haven't seen a guy throwing so many passes to McGee under the rim, trying to make something happen, as Luka. I think this guy is desperate of playing with a really good player.

In some ways, Wood has been better than KP on offense but Kidd for some weird reason plays him only 25mpg and both play limited minutes together.

I can see him going after Harden's scoring record rather than Westbrook's TD records. Turns out I was right.

Not so sure about that. He's sitting at league highest 49% AST%, which is also his highest so far in career. Harden in his "scoring champ campaign" was at 40% and 36%. Obviously season is still young but it just shows that Luka still does want to pass and get others involved more than he likes to score.

From what I remember Mavs fans wanted any of Suns three Cs claiming they are better than Powell. Now I see McGee was benched for him in last game.

If I understand AST% correctly it's just another stat showing Luka is ball dominant. Being ball dominant doesn't necessarily mean a player only looks to score. I think I'm after AST% to usage ratio, which is more indicative of player's desire to share the ball, but can't find a site atm.

We all know Luka is ball dominant... he has to be, entire Mavs offense relies on that. Specially now that Brunson is gone. And yes, McGee is beyond terrible, i was hoping he'll be a huge upgrade but it turns out he makes Powell look like Wilt in comparison.

Dinwiddie is not being able to carry like Brunson could, he has one of the worst Mavs +/- and worst NETrtg out of players with significant minutes. Mavs have ridiculous +21 NETrtg when he is OFF the floor, and that is suppose to be Doncic's nr2 guy?

AST% estimates on how many teammate FG's player assisted when he was on the floor.

[BoatsNZones]

Curry 31/7/7 on a 66% TS with 5+ 3's a game and a +22.2 NET rating. He will be right in the mix if/when the champs team can piece something together around him.

[Oscar9992]

Watch on YouTube

[Oscar9992]

Curry 31/7/7 on a 66% TS with 5+ 3's a game and a +22.2 NET rating. He will be right in the mix if/when the champs team can piece something together around him.

According to RAPTOR & WAR Steph is there with Jokic, Luka & Giannis.

While Lebron isn't even in Top 100

[Oscar9992]

Insane

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[BoatsNZones]

Watch on YouTube

Gotta ask y'all, am I the only one that's put off by players doing what Christian Wood does at the 10 second mark in that video?

He sees his teammate already shot the ball, but continues to stand there with his hands out like he's expecting the pass, for over a second, as the ball is on its way to rim.

Either run back on defense, or crash the boards, don't stand there like you're upset that your teammate didn't pass the ball to you lol.

Probably not the place for this discussion, but of course you're not. Teammates despise this type of stuff, as do coaches. There's a reason Wood - as skilled as he is - is on his 7th team as a 27 year old. I said it immediately after his signing and immediately after his first few big games for the Mavs. He is a known team cancer. The Mavs were simply out of options and are hoping they can break him into being a great teammate, but there's absolutely nothing to indicate that this will happen (small plays like this shine a light on the type of teammate he is/why nobody wants him). He will be traded in the off season to his 8th team in 8 years, and it's going to be tough for Luka to win MVP with him as a primary option (a title run is not happening).