All Things Luka Doncic

[Mirotic12]

Strength and weight are not exactly the same. Its no question that Doncic will get much stronger as he becomes a man.

And I gave a measurement range because we don't know if he is still growing hence 67' 230.

There are some guys that can play center at 6-7 230........the point is their physical tools and skill set allow that. Doncic isn't Draymond Green. He does not have those physical tools. He just does not.

If you want a European young prospect that is a Draymond Green comparison, then Vassilis Charalampopoulos is your guy. Doncic is a totally different type of player entirely.

SLO vs HUN Dončić stats:



TOČ = points

As I said before, the turnovers weren't his fault. Plus there were at least another 5 wasted assists.

Do games like this have any bearing or meaning at all? I remember Nick Calathes, at age 20, in his first game with Greek senior NT, had almost a triple double in the first half, against some opponent at this same type of level (the division 2 type European teams).

The same Nick Calathes, that went on to be really bad at every single senior tournament he played in. Obviously, Doncic is a much better player than Nick The Brick is, but the point stands that games like this are pretty much totally meaningless.

[burek3]

Whatever floats your boat, I watched the game and kid has got some real X factor.

[reanimator]

There are some guys that can play center at 6-7 230........the point is their physical tools and skill set allow that. Doncic isn't Draymond Green. He does not have those physical tools. He just does not.

If you want a European young prospect that is a Draymond Green comparison, then Vassilis Charalampopoulos is your guy. Doncic is a totally different type of player entirely.

Who said anything about playing center or Draymond?

[Bob8]

Strength and weight are not exactly the same. Its no question that Doncic will get much stronger as he becomes a man.

And I gave a measurement range because we don't know if he is still growing hence 67' 230.

There are some guys that can play center at 6-7 230........the point is their physical tools and skill set allow that. Doncic isn't Draymond Green. He does not have those physical tools. He just does not.

If you want a European young prospect that is a Draymond Green comparison, then Vassilis Charalampopoulos is your guy. Doncic is a totally different type of player entirely.

SLO vs HUN Dončić stats:



TOČ = points

As I said before, the turnovers weren't his fault. Plus there were at least another 5 wasted assists.

Do games like this have any bearing or meaning at all? I remember Nick Calathes, at age 20, in his first game with Greek senior NT, had almost a triple double in the first half, against some opponent at this same type of level (the division 2 type European teams).

The same Nick Calathes, that went on to be really bad at every single senior tournament he played in. Obviously, Doncic is a much better player than Nick The Brick is, but the point stands that games like this are pretty much totally meaningless.

There is very big difference between being 18 years old vs. 20/21 years. Who in this century was having that kind of numbers having only 18 years and playing for national team? And there is nothing wrong with Nick, except he can't shoot. The funny thing is how our American friends think how important are numbers in U18 games, but I guess Doncic scores will only counts agains national teams of Spain, France, Greece and Serbia. But I'm sure when he will have bad night, the stats will count.

You can't debate about Doncic and forget how old he's. Or we can forget age of every prospect and judge how good they're in comparison to Nba or Euroleague stars. Not really fair, isn't it?

[Mirotic12]

There is very big difference between being 18 years old vs. 20/21 years. Who in this century was having that kind of numbers having only 18 years and playing for national team? And there is nothing wrong with Nick, except he can't shoot. The funny thing is how our American friends think how important are numbers in U18 games, but I guess Doncic scores will only counts agains national teams of Spain, France, Greece and Serbia. But I'm sure when he will have bad night, the stats will count.

You can't debate about Doncic and forget how old he's. Or we can forget age of every prospect and judge how good they're in comparison to Nba or Euroleague stars. Not really fair, isn't it?

None of that is pertinent to the fact such games are basically meaningless. Even friendlies against big European teams are 90% meaningless. Quite frankly, Under-18 tournaments are more relevant than friendlies.

Who said anything about playing center or Draymond?

You keep saying Doncic can play PF, but he has no physical tools that are required to do so. You are basically talking about Doncic as if he was a Draymond Green type player, but he isn't.

My point about playing center was to the issue of basing a player's position on his height and weight. Doncic is 6-7 230...so yeah he can easily play C, IF he has the right physical tools. Plenty of guys that size can play C, IF they have the necessary physical tools.

The problem is Doncic does not, in any way, have those physical tools. So the argument that he should play PF based on his height and size, is the issue. He could play SG/SF/SF (point forward)/PF or small ball center. Any of those positions based on his size. You don't put him in a position based on size though, but based on where he actually fits and should play. And I don't see how that would in any way be the power forward position.

[Bob8]

Will mean anything if he will have similar numbers in Eurobasket?

[Mirotic12]

Will mean anything if he will have similar numbers in Eurobasket?

Everyone knows he is not going to average 18 points and 9 rebounds in EuroBasket.........let's keep the discussion serious please.

[Bob8]

Will mean anything if he will have similar numbers in Eurobasket?

Everyone knows he is not going to average 18 points and 9 rebounds in EuroBasket.........let's keep the discussion serious please.

I didn't say average, but if he will have some similar games like first 2?

[SportsGuy8]

I agree with reanimator, he's probably going to be able to play at least some PF in small-ball lineups. It's not just about his frame and mass, but also his mindset. He's already shown at 17 that he's more than willing to body-up mature grown men, to me that's the key. Young players tend to shy away from contact, while he welcomes it.

We really shouldn't forget that he's still a teenager going up against grown men. Even though he's already quite big (mostly due to frame), he's going to get a lot stronger. It's impossible not to.

Also keep in mind that there aren't that many true POWER forwards around anymore. The really strong ones often play C, then there's a whole lot of finesse big men playing PF, while the really athletically gifted and mobile ones tend to become versatile wings now instead of putting on mass to be true POWER forwards.

[SportsGuy8]

Watch on YouTube

Another nice versatile sequence.

[Mirotic12]

I agree with reanimator, he's probably going to be able to play at least some PF in small-ball lineups. It's not just about his frame and mass, but also his mindset. He's already shown at 17 that he's more than willing to body-up mature grown men, to me that's the key. Young players tend to shy away from contact, while he welcomes it.

We really shouldn't forget that he's still a teenager going up against grown men. Even though he's already quite big (mostly due to frame), he's going to get a lot stronger. It's impossible not to.

Also keep in mind that there aren't that many true POWER forwards around anymore. The really strong ones often play C, then there's a whole lot of finesse big men playing PF, while the really athletically gifted and mobile ones tend to become versatile wings now instead of putting on mass to be true POWER forwards.

I think he has almost no chance of being a PF. I can't even imagine him trying to guard Euro PFs like Reyes, when he was a bit younger, or Printezis........he would be absolutely annihilated in the low post. A guy like Printezis, being guarded by Doncic, without a double team - I bet Printezis would average 25 a game in a playoff series.

I put the odds of Doncic being a PF in his pro career at less than 1%.

[Juree93]

Watch on YouTube

few nice moves. from what we have seen in friendly matches Doncic will have way higher usage and responsibility than in Real.

[soulzen]

Watch on YouTube

Another nice versatile sequence.

So many beautiful lobs and passes from Doncic are wasted by his not that atletic/skilled teammates, they were missing open shots/layups that made me cringe a little, he was extremly unselifsh and only had two assists

[SportsGuy8]

Yeah, he's really going to have to develop some chemistry with Cancar, they should play together more. More than half of the team seems really horrible, they definitely don't belong on a medal contender. The starters are again going to have to play major minutes for them to be competitive.

I agree with reanimator, he's probably going to be able to play at least some PF in small-ball lineups. It's not just about his frame and mass, but also his mindset. He's already shown at 17 that he's more than willing to body-up mature grown men, to me that's the key. Young players tend to shy away from contact, while he welcomes it.

We really shouldn't forget that he's still a teenager going up against grown men. Even though he's already quite big (mostly due to frame), he's going to get a lot stronger. It's impossible not to.

Also keep in mind that there aren't that many true POWER forwards around anymore. The really strong ones often play C, then there's a whole lot of finesse big men playing PF, while the really athletically gifted and mobile ones tend to become versatile wings now instead of putting on mass to be true POWER forwards.

I think he has almost no chance of being a PF. I can't even imagine him trying to guard Euro PFs like Reyes, when he was a bit younger, or Printezis........he would be absolutely annihilated in the low post. A guy like Printezis, being guarded by Doncic, without a double team - I bet Printezis would average 25 a game in a playoff series.

I put the odds of Doncic being a PF in his pro career at less than 1%.

There's a difference between being a PF and playing "SOME PF in small-ball lineups".

We still need to wait, though. It's also going to depend on which team drafts him and what their main needs are going to be.

Watch on YouTube

few nice moves. from what we have seen in friendly matches Doncic will have way higher usage and responsibility than in Real.

Based on those rare few minutes he played with Dragic, his role really didn't look that much different, especially when you consider that Randolph wasn't there. Doncic quickly went to the corner several times when Dragic had the ball, he just shot well during that first quarter.

With that said, his role is surely going to be bigger, also because there's really not much talent after these 3, while Real is obviously stacked. Cancar is talented, but he's really not good with the ball.

[Thespianoid]

Watch on YouTube

Another nice versatile sequence.

Hungary is pretty low level competition, definitely worse than any ACB/Euroleague team. But that was really impressive.

He's shown some pretty good rim protection instincts as a rotator over the year, I wonder if that will translate.

There's a difference between being a PF and playing "SOME PF in small-ball lineups".

We still need to wait, though. It's also going to depend on which team drafts him and what their main needs are going to be.

Seems people miss this quite often. a true PF is a smallball C, and a guy who can play some smallball PF is a big wing.

Team fit is IMO the single most underrated reason for success/failure of draftees. X's/O's scheme, personnel, coaching philosophies, etc. With Doncic I think even more so.

he was extremly unselifsh and only had two assists

it might have hurt the statsheet but we already know he can pass with the best. More important to see that he can score. unfortunately it was mostly due to terrible defense somehow leaving him open at the 3PT line. Not much to take away.

[SportsGuy8]

Hungary is pretty low level competition, definitely worse than any ACB/Euroleague team. But that was really impressive.

He's shown some pretty good rim protection instincts as a rotator over the year, I wonder if that will translate.

Yeah, the competition in these 2 games was pretty low, compared to the teams and players he's used to play against. It's another indicator just how well he would do vs. lesser competition, the type of competition most of his peers are playing against ...

Him looking a bit more athletic might also be a result of that.

There's a difference between being a PF and playing "SOME PF in small-ball lineups".

We still need to wait, though. It's also going to depend on which team drafts him and what their main needs are going to be.

This is a very underrated reason when it comes to the success/failure of draftees. IMO fit with scheme/personnel is the single most important factor. With Doncic I think even more so.

This is also true for lots and lots of other players, also American ones. There's only a select few players that would be stars everywhere, while even for most All-Stars their success is highly circumstantial.

[Thespianoid]

This is a very underrated reason when it comes to the success/failure of draftees. IMO fit with scheme/personnel is the single most important factor. With Doncic I think even more so.

This is also true for lots and lots of other players, also American ones. There's only a select few players that would be stars everywhere, while even for most All-Stars their success is highly circumstantial.

Exactly. It's a core factor for team success in any field. How well do the people that make up each cog fit together? Can they come together into a collective unit?

The synergy/similarity between X's/O's philosophy and players' natural tendencies dictate your success.

[UcanUwill]

Man, he is already outgrowing the level of competition hes in. Funny how there are people who played professionally for 15 and this guy comes out at age 18 and hes dominating them. Cant beat pure talent.

[BoardCrusher]

There is very big difference between being 18 years old vs. 20/21 years. Who in this century was having that kind of numbers having only 18 years and playing for national team? And there is nothing wrong with Nick, except he can't shoot. The funny thing is how our American friends think how important are numbers in U18 games, but I guess Doncic scores will only counts agains national teams of Spain, France, Greece and Serbia. But I'm sure when he will have bad night, the stats will count.

You can't debate about Doncic and forget how old he's. Or we can forget age of every prospect and judge how good they're in comparison to Nba or Euroleague stars. Not really fair, isn't it?

None of that is pertinent to the fact such games are basically meaningless. Even friendlies against big European teams are 90% meaningless. Quite frankly, Under-18 tournaments are more relevant than friendlies.

so what are you trying to say is, all these under 18 tournaments at which he dominated are more relevant, its good YOU made that clear for everyone, while trying to downplay him, carry on. The double standards and hate for Doncic are just incredible.


2012 U–13 Lido di Roma Tournament with Olimpija Ljubljana: MVP
2013 U–14 Ciutat de l’Hospitalet Tournament: MVP
2013 Minicopa ACB of Vitoria-Gasteiz: MVP
2013 U–16 Budapest International Tournament: MVP
2013 U–16 Villa de la Laguna Tournament: MVP
2013 U–16 EA7 Emporio Armani Tournament: MVP
2014 U–16 Spain Championship: MVP
2015 Ciutat De L'Hospitalet Tournament (ANGT): All-Tournament Team
2015 Madrid Junior (U-18) Championship: MVP
2015 U–18 Spain Championship: MVP
2015 Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament: MVP

[Mirotic12]

There's a difference between being a PF and playing "SOME PF in small-ball lineups".

I gave two examples of EuroLeague power forwards (Reyes and Printezis) that he would have zero chance of being able to guard in the post......

Reyes was never a small ball power forward, but he was an undersized power forward or small ball center. Printezis is actually himself a small ball power forward. In fact, he's the absolute 100% pure definition of a small ball power forward.

Doncic could in no way guard those guys, an undersized 4 (Reyes) and a small ball 4 (Printezis). I wasn't even mentioning actual real power forwards with size and skills.......how in the world would he have guarded someone like Lorbek for example?

so what are you trying to say is, all these under 18 tournaments at which he dominated are more relevant, its good YOU made that clear for everyone, while trying to downplay him, carry on. The double standards and hate for Doncic are just incredible.


2012 U–13 Lido di Roma Tournament with Olimpija Ljubljana: MVP
2013 U–14 Ciutat de l’Hospitalet Tournament: MVP
2013 Minicopa ACB of Vitoria-Gasteiz: MVP
2013 U–16 Budapest International Tournament: MVP
2013 U–16 Villa de la Laguna Tournament: MVP
2013 U–16 EA7 Emporio Armani Tournament: MVP
2014 U–16 Spain Championship: MVP
2015 Ciutat De L'Hospitalet Tournament (ANGT): All-Tournament Team
2015 Madrid Junior (U-18) Championship: MVP
2015 U–18 Spain Championship: MVP
2015 Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament: MVP

What double standard? I said actual fact. Official Under-18 tournaments are much more meaningful than some random friendly games with a national team. Pretty much everyone knows that. Why is there even an argument here?

I don't understand some of the comments here sometimes.........I have rated Doncic probably as high as anyone here, but I often get called out as a Doncic hater for simply stating actual facts.

Anyway, I will continue to post based on fact, and not conjecture. If you consider that a "double standard", then so be it.