Luka Doncic hints that he might stay in Europe next season

[WeTheNorth123]

Wins gold medal with Slovenia at the Eurobasket and makes the All-Tournament team at 18. Wins the title, MVP and Final Four MVP in Euroleague at 19.

No matter what you think about his NBA prospects, this is an insane resume.

I wonder what other top draft picks came to the NBA with his type of professional accolades, especially at such a young age.

No one period!!!

[NashtyNas]

My biggest concern with this scenario is that if they take Doncic they may make a big offer to Nurkic and try and poach him from the Blazers...

God, I hope not. If we're going after any FA big, I'd rather wager on Cousins than Nurkic every time, even with the injury.

[jason bourne]

Wins gold medal with Slovenia at the Eurobasket and makes the All-Tournament team at 18. Wins the title, MVP and Final Four MVP in Euroleague at 19.

No matter what you think about his NBA prospects, this is an insane resume.

I just saw the news. It's unheard of.

[WeTheNorth123]

My biggest concern with this scenario is that if they take Doncic they may make a big offer to Nurkic and try and poach him from the Blazers...

God, I hope not. If we're going after any FA big, I'd rather wager on Cousins than Nurkic every time, even with the injury.

Cousins injury + Hes somewhat of a headcase could be a concern....

I thought Clint would be their target...young and defensive minded

[DeBlazerRiddem]

My biggest concern with this scenario is that if they take Doncic they may make a big offer to Nurkic and try and poach him from the Blazers...

God, I hope not. If we're going after any FA big, I'd rather wager on Cousins than Nurkic every time, even with the injury.

Well sure, but that's assuming Cousins signs there. I'm not saying Nurkic is top of the list but you don't want the guy who was the major component to Blazers improving from the 20/21st defense to the 8th and was #4 in DRPM? I think you underrate his defense, which PHX could really use if they go after an offensive player like Doncic.

[Antinomy]

Everything about this guy screams bust, would avoid taking him.

I don’t think there’s ever been an international/Euro perimeter player taken in the lottery that ended up being an all star.

It’s a bit different for bigs but even they have trouble succeeding in the league.

[Warchant]

If I'm Sacramento I still snag him and tank for another top 5 pick next season, potentially entering the 2019/2020 season with two top prospects

edit: NVM

I believe Bost gets Sactown pick

[LightTheBeam]

Everything about this guy screams bust, would avoid taking him.

I don’t think there’s ever been an international/Euro player taken in the lottery that ended up being an all star.

It’s a bit different for bigs but even they have trouble succeeding in the league.

Not many wings taken in the lotto over the last 10 years.

Gallo/Herzonja are the only wings. Gallo was really good before the injuries. Herzonja showed flashes but I guess its safe to call him a bust.

Aside from that Porzingas/Lauri are both excellent players. Bender had no business going top 5 but hes only 20 years old and can shoot the 3, not ready to declare his career a failure yet.

[antonac]

Everything about this guy screams bust, would avoid taking him.

I don’t think there’s ever been an international/Euro perimeter player taken in the lottery that ended up being an all star.

It’s a bit different for bigs but even they have trouble succeeding in the league.

tony parker?

[Novocaine]

Everything about this guy screams bust, would avoid taking him.

I don’t think there’s ever been an international/Euro perimeter player taken in the lottery that ended up being an all star.

It’s a bit different for bigs but even they have trouble succeeding in the league.

tony parker?

I mean, seriously?

Besides Parker: Giannis. Dragic. Kirilenko. Peja Stojakovic. Manu. This off the top of my head, might be forgetting someone

[cdubbz]

Who would chose Sacramento over Real Madrid? In Europe the world is Doncic's oyster. It's very possible that he's pulling a Kobe.

I just drove by Sacramento today from San Francisco and was thinking to myself "I bet NBA players get so bored out here."

[papidulo]

I’m skeptical about guards who dominate internationally until I see them here bc the comp level is different. I also often view European pgs as kinda slow footed (right or not); I value quick feet and the ability to penetrate over being tall and guarding multiple positions. Further, many of the guys who won Euroleague MVP are guys who were role players here, if they ever do come, so I take it with a grain of salt.

Seems like you're attributing your personal biases to a player without actually evaluating his game.
Doncic is one of the best at penetrating and finishing and he's extremely crafty - somewhat similar to a Manu Ginobili who a lot of people have compared him to. He isn't the fastest laterally so he has to use body control to finish in close or draw contact, which he's extremely good at.

His biggest knock is the lateral quickness which is going to need to improve for him to be a defensive stopper and a better finisher at the NBA level, but he's already so polished in terms of floaters and midrange shooting that it rarely hurts him offensively at the current level.

There are worse knocks against a guy like Ayton who's motor has been questioned at every level, as well as his desire. From what I've read, he's motivated by the money more so than the game - which is understandable given his situation but not something I'd bet my franchises future on.

Like I said, since we need high level talent, I'm open to any of who I consider the top 3 prospects in Doncic, Bagley & Ayton (in that order). I know most people likely have Ayton #1 because of that freakish frame and unmatched athleticism we haven't seen in a while.

But I do encourage you to look at players for what they can specifically do against their current competition rather than look at players through a biased lens. Euroleague competition has drastically changed over the years, and each player is different. And just because the MVP guards have flamed out in the past doesn't mean Doncic can't be more like Manu than a flamed out Sergio Rodriguez or Sergio Lull.

I’m not attributing my biases... I’m attributing the fact that I cannot remember the last time a Euroleague stud was able to translate that to the NBA. Also the fact that they are dominant for against a tier of basketball players that is not comparable to the NBA. It’s the 2nd best league in the world true, but by a large margin. There are probably 10-20 players in Euroleague who could or have played in the NBA, and those who have were role players. 16 ppg in Euroleague doesn’t scream top overall pick to me. The only 2 time Euroleague MVP to my memory was Anthony Parker, and most casual fans don’t even know who he is even though he played in the NBA. I’m still of the belief that NCAA is the 2nd best league to the NBA, bc you’re regularly playing with other future NBAers, and for coaches who’ve all for the most part coached current NBA players.

For one on Doncic, lateral quickness is a big thing for guards, especially point guards. That means he’s likely to struggle to beat the 1st defender off penetration. Second, the NBA 3 id further than the Euroleague 3.

It’s not that I think he’s a scrub, just more of a question mark than a lot of ppl make it seem. Phoenix has like 5 lottery busts of big men; they need a big more than a guard. A “low motor” is subjective... they said James Harden had one too

[Antinomy]

I don’t think there’s ever been an international/Euro perimeter player taken in the lottery that ended up being an all star.

It’s a bit different for bigs but even they have trouble succeeding in the league.

tony parker?

I mean, seriously?

Besides Parker: Giannis. Dragic. Kirilenko. Peja Stojakovic. Manu. This off the top of my head, might be forgetting someone

Does the word “lottery” not comprehend with you guys?

Damn near all of those guys were 2nd round picks besides Peja & Giannis.

There’s a difference when you have expections. Period.

[antonac]

tony parker?

I mean, seriously?

Besides Parker: Giannis. Dragic. Kirilenko. Peja Stojakovic. Manu. This off the top of my head, might be forgetting someone

Does the word “lottery” not comprehend with you guys?

Damn near all of those guys were 2nd round picks besides Peja & Giannis.

There’s a difference when you have expections. Period.

I don't really understand why people are creating these weird reasons not to pick Doncic.

it's going to be harder for him to succeed than these guys because the weight of expectation? he's a 19 year old who's won every competition he's played in as a key member, he just won MVP for his team winning the euroleague. crumbling under pressure wouldn't be the first conclusion I'd draw from that.

[Pachinko_]

Everything about this guy screams bust, would avoid taking him.

I don’t think there’s ever been an international/Euro perimeter player taken in the lottery that ended up being an all star.

Neither has ever been an international player that won the Euroleague MVP at 19.

[jimross]

I haven't watched alot of Doncic but from the highlights I've seen he doesn't look very quick or fast. I really question his ability to beat defenders off the dribble in the NBA. I have to watch more of him for sure but its something that stood out to me.

[Potedon]

I don't really understand why people are creating these weird reasons not to pick Doncic.

it's going to be harder for him to succeed than these guys because the weight of expectation? he's a 19 year old who's won every competition he's played in as a key member, he just won MVP for his team winning the euroleague. crumbling under pressure wouldn't be the first conclusion I'd draw from that.

Doncic doesn't project to be a star in the NBA, and so a problem with a lot of these overhyped Euro prospects is that don't want to work hard and prove themselves. They think what they did in their **** league overseas means something in the NBA and come in with a diva attitude.

So if there's any inkling of Doncic even thinking about staying for another year that's a huge reg flag to me. Add in his poor shot selection, lack of defined position, mediocre athleticism, poor defense, & a bad attitude all making me think someones going to waste a high pick on him.

[SlowPaced]

One thing I've noticed with the folk who think Doncic will be a bust is that they base it on the success of former European players. As if that makes any sense whatsoever.

Jahlil Okafor was a bust so let's not draft any Duke player from now on eh?

[sacking123]

I don't really understand why people are creating these weird reasons not to pick Doncic.

it's going to be harder for him to succeed than these guys because the weight of expectation? he's a 19 year old who's won every competition he's played in as a key member, he just won MVP for his team winning the euroleague. crumbling under pressure wouldn't be the first conclusion I'd draw from that.

Doncic doesn't project to be a star in the NBA, and so a problem with a lot of these overhyped Euro prospects is that don't want to work hard and prove themselves. They think what they did in their **** league overseas means something in the NBA and come in with a diva attitude.

So if there's any inkling of Doncic even thinking about staying for another year that's a huge reg flag to me. Add in his poor shot selection, lack of defined position, mediocre athleticism, poor defense, & a bad attitude all making me think someones going to waste a high pick on him.

Bad attitude?
He doesn’t project to be a star in your eyes, that’s ok you can have your opinion.
Don’t start making things up though like he has a bad attitude.
The thing a lot of people are getting wrong with him is they think that he is slow.
He picks the defence apart with crafty moves in the half court. He isn’t always just going to blow by his man, he breaks them down with hesitations.
When he pushes the ball up the court he is fine, he isn’t the fastest, but his speed isn’t a concern. The main concern I have with him is his defence. There aren’t too many rookies that are going to be good defenders next year right off the bat, but what I’m looking at is whether he can become a good enough defender that it doesn’t matter.
Some people don’t like him as a prospect and that’s all well and good, but seriously they need to stick to the facts because when you start to make things up it just hurts your argument.


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[Curmudgeon]

I watched the game between Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow, and parts of the championship game against Fenerbahce. Quite frankly Doncic did not look like a star. He looked like an intelligent, well-coached complementary player. I've been as high on him as anyone, but I will not be surprised if he slips out of the top 5 in the 2018 draft. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't watching Danilo Gallinari.