Can you see Luka becoming the unquestioned best player in the league while Jokic/Giannis are still in their primes?

ardee · Post #1 » by **ardee** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:27 pm

He is about 4 years younger than them. It feels like Jokic/Giannis, and Jokic in particular, are going to age very well and could easily stay in the mix for BPA for another 5 years.

So by the time Luka gets into his late twenties and is arguably at his peak, even if Jokic/Giannis have declined, you'll have someone like Wemby who might be in his early prime and snatch the title for himself.

I feel like for Luka to be BPA he'll need to make enough of a leap to get ahead of the other guys NOW, like within the next 2 or so years.

Post #2 » by **Texas Chuck** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:35 pm

can he? Sure. Do I expect it? No.

eminence · Post #3 » by **eminence** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:47 pm

No.

I’m not certain there’s ever been a player that level, and Luka hasn’t given me reason to put him in that very top tier to even consider.

Dutchball97 · Post #4 » by **Dutchball97** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:56 pm

Depends on what you want to see from a player before crowning them the unquestioned best. Do I think Luka is going to start a run of dominance like Kareem, MJ or LeBron? Absolutely not. Do I think Luka could be the best player in the league over one full season (regular season + play-offs)? Not a slam dunk but for a perennial All-NBA 1st team player who has already proven himself in the play--offs it definitely could happen. I don't think Giannis and Jokic are that untouchable currently.

Cavsfansince84 · Post #5 » by **Cavsfansince84** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:13 pm

Possibly but it would take Luka winning a ring/fmvp while having a really good run maybe in b2b years for it to happen. Just one ring would only put him fully on their level.

Post #6 » by **Doctor MJ** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:19 pm

Yup I with others here: Odds aren't 0%, but they've become lower with time.

Feels like we're in this slow-motion crisis type of situation where many people are invested in a player being not simply great, but better than all comers, and not wanting to realize that this doesn't seem to be how things are playing out.

dygaction · Post #7 » by **dygaction** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:01 pm

Doctor MJ wrote:Yup I with others here: Odds aren't 0%, but they've become lower with time.

Feels like we're in this slow-motion crisis type of situation where many people are invested in a player being not simply great, but better than all comers, and not wanting to realize that this doesn't seem to be how things are playing out.

lol saying this to a 24 yr old with 4x 1st all nba and becoming better every year. For the Mavs, Dirk won his first all-nba 1st when he was 26 and mvp 28. Nash 1st team and mvp when he was 30.

Post #8 » by **Texas Chuck** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:01 pm

Doctor MJ wrote:Feels like we're in this slow-motion crisis type of situation where many people are invested in a player being not simply great, but better than all comers, and not wanting to realize that this doesn't seem to be how things are playing out.

This is true of far too many players, not just Luka.

And while I'm never that guy, I am less bothered by those trying to GOAT every young star than I am those who have a vested interest in tearing down every player.

Like just let them have their career. They don't have to be GOAT or be a buster. If Luka is a consistent top 10 guy every year with some MVP contention years mixed it, that's a fabulous career.

nikster · Post #9 » by **nikster** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 11:14 pm

Jokic is so damn good its hard to imagine. Only way it's clear cut is Doncic is just dominating the post season and racking up titles, and that's gonna require a lot of luck

Post #10 » by **tsherkin** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 11:23 pm

Doctor MJ wrote:Yup I with others here: Odds aren't 0%, but they've become lower with time.

Feels like we're in this slow-motion crisis type of situation where many people are invested in a player being not simply great, but better than all comers, and not wanting to realize that this doesn't seem to be how things are playing out.

I'm mostly with this.

The door's open; he's 24 and in his 6th season, things can change. But it doesn't appear to be moving in that direction at this time.

I don't know that I care, though. He's very good, he's fun to watch and it's not like Dallas isn't getting their money's worth out of him.

Special_Puppy · Post #11 » by **Special_Puppy** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 11:30 pm

Sure. He's only 24 years old and already a top 5 player in the league. He would need to fix his defense though

Asianiac_24 · Post #12 » by **Asianiac_24** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:00 am

Jokic is hard to beat, his peak is up there with MJ and Bron

Post #13 » by **pillwenney** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:27 am

"Unquestioned" makes it a very high bar, and that's what makes it very unlikely. I personally don't see Jokic that way currently, and haven't seen anybody that way since Lebron left Cleveland again.

He's talented enough to where it's possible. Seems quite unlikely though.

Tomtolbert · Post #14 » by **Tomtolbert** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 4:17 am

dygaction wrote:
Doctor MJ wrote:Yup I with others here: Odds aren't 0%, but they've become lower with time.

Feels like we're in this slow-motion crisis type of situation where many people are invested in a player being not simply great, but better than all comers, and not wanting to realize that this doesn't seem to be how things are playing out.

lol saying this to a 24 yr old with 4x 1st all nba and becoming better every year. For the Mavs, Dirk won his first all-nba 1st when he was 26 and mvp 28. Nash 1st team and mvp when he was 30.

Is the bolded really true? He made a large jump between his first 2 seasons, but beyond that I don't see a significant difference year to year. Certainly not to the point that I have high hopes of him becoming the unquestioned best player in the league.

Post #15 » by **Mavrelous** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 4:47 am

I've never had Giannis as unquestioned best player, Jokic is, and I don't see Luka reaching that level of dominance, it's not impossible, but highly unlikely.

agentofatlas · Post #16 » by **agentofatlas** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 4:48 am

Tomtolbert wrote:
dygaction wrote:
Doctor MJ wrote:Yup I with others here: Odds aren't 0%, but they've become lower with time.

Feels like we're in this slow-motion crisis type of situation where many people are invested in a player being not simply great, but better than all comers, and not wanting to realize that this doesn't seem to be how things are playing out.

lol saying this to a 24 yr old with 4x 1st all nba and becoming better every year. For the Mavs, Dirk won his first all-nba 1st when he was 26 and mvp 28. Nash 1st team and mvp when he was 30.

Is the bolded really true? He made a large jump between his first 2 seasons, but beyond that I don't see a significant difference year to year. Certainly not to the point that I have high hopes of him becoming the unquestioned best player in the league.

He's making 3s and FTs this year.

He's playing a different style of basketball this year too. Faster and less bully ball in the post. FT rate is down this year but I think this style of play is better for his body long term.

clearlynotjesse · Post #17 » by **clearlynotjesse** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 6:29 am

Luka's development this season is under the radar. A clear step up from 21-23. His jumper is noticeably smoother and it shows in the percentages. He's way better at finding early offense. He's passable on defense. He's whining less (a lot still, but less). I don't think the gap is all that massive now. Another step up as he enters his mid 20s while Giannis/Jokic decline a bit is totally reasonable.

dygaction · Post #18 » by **dygaction** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 7:05 am

clearlynotjesse wrote:Luka's development this season is under the radar. A clear step up from 21-23. His jumper is noticeably smoother and it shows in the percentages. He's way better at finding early offense. He's passable on defense. He's whining less (a lot still, but less). I don't think the gap is all that massive now. Another step up as he enters his mid 20s while Giannis/Jokic decline a bit is totally reasonable.

in the past 7 winning steak, he played a lot (compared to before) off ball, including set picks for others, most Kyrie, call for positions inside, cut after passing the ball...

CodeBreaker · Post #19 » by **CodeBreaker** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 8:19 am

Absolutely. 4 years from now, Jokic would still be in his prime, and I really believe Luka would reach a level only Peak MJ is comparable.

Ryoga Hibiki · Post #20 » by **Ryoga Hibiki** » Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:53 am

ardee wrote:He is about 4 years younger than them. It feels like Jokic/Giannis, and Jokic in particular, are going to age very well and could easily stay in the mix for BPA for another 5 years.

So by the time Luka gets into his late twenties and is arguably at his peak, even if Jokic/Giannis have declined, you'll have someone like Wemby who might be in his early prime and snatch the title for himself.

I feel like for Luka to be BPA he'll need to make enough of a leap to get ahead of the other guys NOW, like within the next 2 or so years.

to be honest, I think you can make a credible case for Luka over Giannis even now.
can he pass Jokic as well? Why not, he can both make further improvements or Jokic a little step back.
I don't think Luka will ever be as good as Jokic last year, but I suspect Jokic won't be like that forever