Luka Doncic hints that he might stay in Europe next season

[UcanUwill]

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

That's way, way off. There have been dozens upon dozens of guys that played in EuroLeague and NBA. It probably reaches into the hundreds easily.

Also, NCAA champs couldn't even compete with most average teams in most European national leagues - they lose by 30-50 points against any decent EuroLeague team.

The other part is factually and statistically incorrect. A much larger percentage of EuroLeague players play in the NBA and than NCAA players. A much larger percentage. That's factually statistically incorrect to claim more NCAA players play in the NBA. It's actually not even close how much larger the percentage is for EuroLeague (easily much higher than NCAA).

Cmon man, i hope youre just trolling now...

I get that youre trying to say that alot of Euroleague players have played in the NBA, but its not even close to compare Euroleague players in the NBA to former NCAA players. Almost everyone in the NBA played college ball, except for the “dozens and dozens” of Euroleague players you refer to. The number of former NCAA players in the NBA in the thousands lol.

The NBA and the rest of the world are so far apart that the US is about to just start sending a 25 and under team as the US team.

I still feel justified in my skepticism on Doncic

He is probably right that way more than 20 Euroleague would at least be called up by NBA team, if they had G league type of contracts going on. Hundreds of NBA players probably wouldn't be impact players in the league at all, but they also wouldn't be the worst. Look at some G league call outs, Axel Toupane was G league all star, and was one of those few thats been actually called up by NBA team, but this year he played on final 4 Zalgiris team, and was way below average offensive player in the league.

[Pachinko_]

I find Petrovic is actually a very apt comparison, the guy was leading teams to finals and championships from a very young age, and that was not common at all in Europe.

But there's one glaring difference: Petro was way below his potential physically, he was doing things wrong in that regard, and only in his 2nd or 3rd year in the NBA did he find the right routine and the right personal coach to guide him and fix his athleticism, and then he really took off.

Doncic is already pretty good physically, there's room to improve, but not huge.

[useless]

Yes, as the season has gone on, he has clearly been dropping, because it is clear he is exhausted. He has been playing 18 months straight, the only time he got time off was a few weeks when he tweaked an ankle... And yet he has played well enough to still be both Finals and Regular Season MVP...

Next year once he has a proper summer to rest and work out he will be a beast imo.

Well I feel that he became finals MVP not because he was playing like MVP but because he is Doncic... I saw two players on Real team who impacted game more then Doncic... At least in the finals.
He plays solid, savvy, intelligent game and do not look like 18 years old player but you have to wonder about his upside. What he can improve? His one vs. one game does not look spectacular, he had troubles in offense against 5'11 player. Ok he can improve this aspect but it is clear that he will not be ISO monster. His shooting seems to be good at best, ok, once again we can agree that he can improve it but he will not be great shooter (ala L. Bird, S.Curry, etc.). Passing, bleh, he can pass, but his court vision is nothing special. Defense seems to be limited because of average athleticism.
IMO it seems that teams figured out his limitations and now are exploiting them. His BBIQ still allows for him to effective in Europe but you have to wonder what is the upside for him...

He wont be Curry at shooting, but he can be harden at shooting, especially out of that step back that he has. as of now, he is very good at creating space with step back and hesitation dribbles, but his shot out of those is not very efficient. He can easily improve that, and if he does, how can you stop it, you cant really contest that step back even when you know its coming, its very effective. That might be enough to be very effective ISO player.

Well I would say that Harden is borderline great shooter or at least very good and for the moment Doncic does not come even close of being at such level as Harden. Also there weren't that many players in history who mastered stepback. Probably a reason for that stepback is a difficult shot and requires good handles, footwork, coordination, touch. I am not saying it is impossible for Doncic to be at Harden level but I am sceptical of it.
As I said what I saw in the final that Doncic had troubles of getting his shot against 5'10 Bobby Dixon. This leaves me wondering how he can create his shot against NBA athletes.
Yeah it is nice that he can create space with his stepback, but that shot for him was innefective. You know I don't want to be a jerk, but in the same manner you could say - he can learn to shoot skyhook...

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[theonlyclutch]

Well I feel that he became finals MVP not because he was playing like MVP but because he is Doncic... I saw two players on Real team who impacted game more then Doncic... At least in the finals.
He plays solid, savvy, intelligent game and do not look like 18 years old player but you have to wonder about his upside. What he can improve? His one vs. one game does not look spectacular, he had troubles in offense against 5'11 player. Ok he can improve this aspect but it is clear that he will not be ISO monster. His shooting seems to be good at best, ok, once again we can agree that he can improve it but he will not be great shooter (ala L. Bird, S.Curry, etc.). Passing, bleh, he can pass, but his court vision is nothing special. Defense seems to be limited because of average athleticism.
IMO it seems that teams figured out his limitations and now are exploiting them. His BBIQ still allows for him to effective in Europe but you have to wonder what is the upside for him...

He wont be Curry at shooting, but he can be harden at shooting, especially out of that step back that he has. as of now, he is very good at creating space with step back and hesitation dribbles, but his shot out of those is not very efficient. He can easily improve that, and if he does, how can you stop it, you cant really contest that step back even when you know its coming, its very effective. That might be enough to be very effective ISO player.

Well I would say that Harden is borderline great shooter or at least very good and for the moment Doncic does not come even close of being at such level as Harden. Also there weren't that many players in history who mastered stepback. Probably a reason for that stepback is a difficult shot and requires good handles, footwork, coordination, touch. I am not saying it is impossible for Doncic to be at Harden level but I am sceptical of it.
As I said what I saw in the final that Doncic had troubles of getting his shot against 5'10 Bobby Dixon. This leaves me wondering how he can create his shot against NBA athletes.
Yeah it is nice that he can create space with his stepback, but that shot for him was innefective. You know I don't want to be a jerk, but in the same manner you could say - he can learn to shoot skyhook...

Sent from my [device_name] using [url]RealGM mobile app[/url]

Harden wasn't known for having a great shot off the dribble when he was drafted, that can develop with time. What should be more concerning is his ability to penetrate and finish at the rim...

[useless]

He wont be Curry at shooting, but he can be harden at shooting, especially out of that step back that he has. as of now, he is very good at creating space with step back and hesitation dribbles, but his shot out of those is not very efficient. He can easily improve that, and if he does, how can you stop it, you cant really contest that step back even when you know its coming, its very effective. That might be enough to be very effective ISO player.

Well I would say that Harden is borderline great shooter or at least very good and for the moment Doncic does not come even close of being at such level as Harden. Also there weren't that many players in history who mastered stepback. Probably a reason for that stepback is a difficult shot and requires good handles, footwork, coordination, touch. I am not saying it is impossible for Doncic to be at Harden level but I am sceptical of it.
As I said what I saw in the final that Doncic had troubles of getting his shot against 5'10 Bobby Dixon. This leaves me wondering how he can create his shot against NBA athletes.
Yeah it is nice that he can create space with his stepback, but that shot for him was innefective. You know I don't want to be a jerk, but in the same manner you could say - he can learn to shoot skyhook...

Sent from my [device_name] using [url]RealGM mobile app[/url]

Harden wasn't known for having a great shot off the dribble when he was drafted, that can develop with time. What should be more concerning is his ability to penetrate and finish at the rim...

Agree. Definitely. Just saying that developing stepback shot is not easy

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[UcanUwill]

Well I would say that Harden is borderline great shooter or at least very good and for the moment Doncic does not come even close of being at such level as Harden. Also there weren't that many players in history who mastered stepback. Probably a reason for that stepback is a difficult shot and requires good handles, footwork, coordination, touch. I am not saying it is impossible for Doncic to be at Harden level but I am sceptical of it.
As I said what I saw in the final that Doncic had troubles of getting his shot against 5'10 Bobby Dixon. This leaves me wondering how he can create his shot against NBA athletes.
Yeah it is nice that he can create space with his stepback, but that shot for him was innefective. You know I don't want to be a jerk, but in the same manner you could say - he can learn to shoot skyhook...

Sent from my [device_name] using [url]RealGM mobile app[/url]

Harden wasn't known for having a great shot off the dribble when he was drafted, that can develop with time. What should be more concerning is his ability to penetrate and finish at the rim...

Agree. Definitely. Just saying that developing stepback shot is not easy

Sent from my [device_name] using [url]RealGM mobile app[/url]

I agree, but if someone can master it, its Doncic. He has a very strong foundation.

[har13]

30 mins highlights Doncic video.

Watch on YouTube

Please watch what he is doing and then tell.

[Spens1]

Look if Atlanta or the Kings don't want him, I would kind of like us to trade Ball for Doncic (cause can you imagine the reaction Lavar Ball will have when they tell him that Zo was traded from L.A. ). I'm not sure about Doncic as an actual P.G. but its an intriguing project to say the least.

[Bologna Smasher]

There is no way he's getting past Vlade & Peja, regardless of the situation.

[UcanUwill]

Look if Atlanta or the Kings don't want him, I would kind of like us to trade Ball for Doncic (cause can you imagine the reaction Lavar Ball will have when they tell him that Zo was traded from L.A. ). I'm not sure about Doncic as an actual P.G. but its an intriguing project to say the least.

I would love that. Baller traded for white Euro, and Doncic on the Lakers. No downside to this scenario.

PS. Since we sharing Doncic vids, will plug my old Eurobasket mix I made last year. Its my only mix I have ever done, so beware ammateur editing

Watch on YouTube

[USWAY]

There is no way he's getting past Vlade & Peja, regardless of the situation.

Facts. Unless they trade down he's going #2. Don't believe any rumor you hear.

[BlazersBroncos]

I think this kid is going to be great. He reminds me of Brandon Roy a bit. Deceptively athletic, intentional with all his dribbles, surprising post game, ability to hit the step-back midrange jumper. Probably already a better 3pt shooter than Roy ever was and his court vision is on another level (And I say that as a huge Roy fan).

I would bet on this kid panning out as a 'winner' type star 10/10 times compared to Ayton. To bring it back to Roy, its sorta, to me, similar to Roy vs Oden. Oden was derailed by injuries, but even if he was healthy I didnt see a player that was willing to put in the work to become a true #1. Ayton strikes me as similar, and while he may change in the big leagues right now all we have to go off is his current motor. It just scares me.

Luka is the truth. I think he becomes, at worst, the type of guy that can be a #2 option on a perennial contender. Outside chance he becomes a true '#1 option on a contender', but thats a label that I reserve for very few players. He is a special talent, even if he doesnt have Gerald Green athleticism. He has enough, and his IQ is more than developed to compensate for lack of 42" type hops.

[sfernald]

You do realize were talking about a 19 year old, saying if a team gets 18 yo Doncic will improve but not 19 yo Doncic? I mean. A guy, at 19 with his resume is a finished product? Jeezuz. But hey, I hope he falls all the way to 6

Not saying he is finished product, but I am not sold those first few months of the season wasn't a fluke. If he maintained that level of play all year, he is easily a number 1 pick. But he dropped off quite a bit, and thats being lost in all of the discussions I feel.
I debating both Doncic believers and his skeptics, mainly because I feel skeptics are pretty much ignorant about Euro basketball all together, while his believers just can't stop talking how amazing and unprecedented he is. And he is, overall - wonderful season, never been done before by a young player. But it wasnt sustained.

THis reminds me of all the Ben Simmons talk before he played and we know how that turned out...

[Riko]

He wil be a bust. If someone calls him before 14 I wuold be seriously angry.

LOL , BUST COMMENT OF THE THREAD , you are going to be really angry then.
He is without any doubt the best player of the draft right now , MAYBE , someone will be better than him in the future, but without hesitate , that he will be top 3 in players coming in this draft.

I cannot believe that someone who see Jokic & his impact on the game daily is not on Doncic train
NO WORRY , YOU CAN PAY 18 MILLIONS PER YEAR TO GARY HARRIS and stay as a almost playoff team years to come ,would be even funnier when Doncic team kick your team out of playoffs.
Doncic is going to have Jokic impact in day 1, they are difference player but his mains strength's are passing and shooting. And without any doubt with much better defence .



* I like Gary Harris as a player just to exemplify that Doncic at least for 4 years is going to be a bargain.

I used my phone, the replay didn't take the green font... Denver have the 14th pick...
but, Jokic's impact since day 1 is absurd: or you don't understand/watch Jokic game or you have unrealistic expectation about Doncic.
The sting about Jokic defense is hilarious, you never watched a Nuggets game.

[D3ko]

He wil be a bust. If someone calls him before 14 I wuold be seriously angry.

LOL , BUST COMMENT OF THE THREAD , you are going to be really angry then.
He is without any doubt the best player of the draft right now , MAYBE , someone will be better than him in the future, but without hesitate , that he will be top 3 in players coming in this draft.

I cannot believe that someone who see Jokic & his impact on the game daily is not on Doncic train
NO WORRY , YOU CAN PAY 18 MILLIONS PER YEAR TO GARY HARRIS and stay as a almost playoff team years to come ,would be even funnier when Doncic team kick your team out of playoffs.
Doncic is going to have Jokic impact in day 1, they are difference player but his mains strength's are passing and shooting. And without any doubt with much better defence .



* I like Gary Harris as a player just to exemplify that Doncic at least for 4 years is going to be a bargain.

I used my phone, the replay didn't take the green font... Denver have the 14th pick...
but, Jokic's impact since day 1 is absurd: or you don't understand/watch Jokic game or you have unrealistic expectation about Doncic.
The sting about Jokic defense is hilarious, you never watched a Nuggets game.

Sorry then , I didn't get the joke

In fact, Doncic will have better impact than Jokiç for a simple reason , he will have the ball in his hands 90 of 100 plays per game, he has that kind of passsing abilities , not as flashy , but great overall.You can check Jokic advance metric to see his real impact on defence, he lacks everything that's you need in a Center.

Doncic from day 1 , will be a great player , his limitations on defence are overstated , he is big, fluid, hustle player, and understand the game , he won't be Marcus smart but I can't see any reason for him being a above average defender.

I can't see Doncic being a 20 points per game player at least the first 2 seasons , but for sure he will have a triple double chance every game .

I can see him being a 17/7/7 , playing good defence and having a winning team

[Mirotic12]

I find Petrovic is actually a very apt comparison, the guy was leading teams to finals and championships from a very young age, and that was not common at all in Europe.

But there's one glaring difference: Petro was way below his potential physically, he was doing things wrong in that regard, and only in his 2nd or 3rd year in the NBA did he find the right routine and the right personal coach to guide him and fix his athleticism, and then he really took off.

Doncic is already pretty good physically, there's room to improve, but not huge.

Doncic is better than Petrovic. He's more skilled, he's more athletic, he's a better ball handler, he's better at creating his own shot, and he's a better finisher. He's a better rebounder. He's a better defender. Plus, he's playing against competition (today's EuroLeague) that is leaps and bounds better than what Petrovic was playing against (mid 80s EuroLeague).

Doncic also seems more clutch and better in 4th quarters than Drazen was.

Drazen was a better shooter, a better passer, and a better creator for other players, but Doncic is better in pretty much everything else.

So I don't thing it's a very good comparison.

[Pachinko_]

I find Petrovic is actually a very apt comparison, the guy was leading teams to finals and championships from a very young age, and that was not common at all in Europe.

But there's one glaring difference: Petro was way below his potential physically, he was doing things wrong in that regard, and only in his 2nd or 3rd year in the NBA did he find the right routine and the right personal coach to guide him and fix his athleticism, and then he really took off.

Doncic is already pretty good physically, there's room to improve, but not huge.

Doncic is better than Petrovic. He's more skilled, he's more athletic, he's a better ball handler, he's better at creating his own shot, and he's a better finisher. He's a better rebounder. He's a better defender. Plus, he's playing against competition (today's EuroLeague) that is leaps and bounds better than what Petrovic was playing against (mid 80s EuroLeague).

Doncic also seems more clutch and better in 4th quarters than Drazen was.

Drazen was a better shooter, a better passer, and a better creator for other players, but Doncic is better in pretty much everything else.

So I don't thing it's a very good comparison.

Eh he's the closest player most people would know

To me he's a cross between Bodiroga and Danilovic

[6ixgrod]

People really would do anything to avoid Sacramento.

[Riko]

Sorry then , I didn't get the joke

In fact, Doncic will have better impact than Jokiç for a simple reason , he will have the ball in his hands 90 of 100 plays per game, he has that kind of passsing abilities , not as flashy , but great overall.You can check Jokic advance metric to see his real impact on defence, he lacks everything that's you need in a Center.

Doncic from day 1 , will be a great player , his limitations on defence are overstated , he is big, fluid, hustle player, and understand the game , he won't be Marcus smart but I can't see any reason for him being a above average defender.

I can't see Doncic being a 20 points per game player at least the first 2 seasons , but for sure he will have a triple double chance every game .

I can see him being a 17/7/7 , playing good defence and having a winning team

He will have the same problem on defense Jokis has: he can't defend nba's guard first step and that create a big problem for his team.
Jokic's metric are good, we are not in 2006 anymore, the other players (millsap) protect the rim and denver can hide jokic's lacks. Jokic usually defend a spot-up shooter and then cut in the paint to take the rebounds = above average metric when he plays with millsap.
I repeat, those are unrealistic expectation: 82 games are a lot and to be a 17/7/7 you need to show up in every game (plus statspadding) and really few players in history have done that in their first season.

[Marty McFly]

there really is no logical reason for him to stay in europe a year after the year he has had but i can understand why he'd rather stay if he doesn't land in phoenix given that they've hired Kokoskov. problem is there's a 7 foot arizonian standing in his way, and that might just be the perfect storm for him to wait a year.