Luka Doncic will be the best rookie since Lebron.

[dakomish23]

Doubt it...just don't see him having a better rookie season than KD, Simmons, CP3 and heck throw in Blake Griffin's rookie season.

If does in fact do so, he'll have proven to be worth all the hype. Not saying that it isn't possible but I think the bar is much higher than the OP realizes.

KD? Don’t remember him having a monster rookie year.

[JHFVF07]

I've been around the block a few times. With this kind of hype, one thing is certain. The American prospect picked immediately after this guy is going to be a HOFer.

You mean...like Jonny Flynn?

[Prince187]

It's funny how people immediately assume a young guy coming from europe will have problems defensively, when in reality the NBA is full of top NCAA picks who can't find their ass with both hands on defense.

I don't know how Luka's footspeed will compare to Wiggins, Jabari, KAT, Okafor etc, but I'm pretty sure he will know where to fkn stand at least. That will be refreshing

I think it's covert racism

[papidulo]

It's funny how people immediately assume a young guy coming from europe will have problems defensively, when in reality the NBA is full of top NCAA picks who can't find their ass with both hands on defense.

I don't know how Luka's footspeed will compare to Wiggins, Jabari, KAT, Okafor etc, but I'm pretty sure he will know where to fkn stand at least. That will be refreshing

I think it's covert racism

Theres no track record of any European guard ever coming to the NBA and living up to their hype, so ppl are right to be skeptical.

Also, even though hes playing against "grown men", European guards on a whole way less athletic than the NBA guards he will be playing against, so its justifiable to assume he will struggle.

[76ciology]

Smaller Joe Johnson

[UcanUwill]

Smaller Joe Johnson

They about the same height and size. Well, Joe is ptobably heavier nowadays, but interesting comparison. I would say Luka is way more natural creator for others.

[Indomitable]

I think Simmons was probably a better rooking than Lebron. Would be surprised if donic is that good. He will be awesome though

Simmons did not play his rookie year and neither did blake.

[Johnny Firpo]

Also, even though hes playing against "grown men", European guards on a whole way less athletic than the NBA guards he will be playing against, so its justifiable to assume he will struggle.

Manu has to count, he is half-Italian and learned basketball in the European system, dominated in the NBA. Drazen as well, and Marciulionis was a very good NBA-player also. There are precedents.

[Johnny Firpo]

Smaller Joe Johnson

A playmaking Joe Johnson is not a bad comparison, actually.

[Dupp]

I think Simmons was probably a better rooking than Lebron. Would be surprised if donic is that good. He will be awesome though

Simmons did not play his rookie year and neither did blake.

Take it up with the nba.

[Darren]

Tatum is easily better than Doncic.

[Pachinko_]

It's funny how people immediately assume a young guy coming from europe will have problems defensively, when in reality the NBA is full of top NCAA picks who can't find their ass with both hands on defense.

I don't know how Luka's footspeed will compare to Wiggins, Jabari, KAT, Okafor etc, but I'm pretty sure he will know where to fkn stand at least. That will be refreshing

I think it's covert racism

Theres no track record of any European guard ever coming to the NBA and living up to their hype, so ppl are right to be skeptical.

Also, even though hes playing against "grown men", European guards on a whole way less athletic than the NBA guards he will be playing against, so its justifiable to assume he will struggle.

I think people should be less concerned about Doncic's athleticism and more concerned about how the **** is it possible that those top prospects coming out of the best american colleges have no clue what to do with themselves on defense and teams need to spend 3 years teaching them the basics of team basketball. Like, how, seriously.

[jonjames]

I think ppl will be terribly disappointed then. The hoopla arounds doncic revolves what he did at the euroleague for his age..however that doesnt guarantee success over to the nba. Its about your actual skillset at end of day that determines success in tge nba. Doncic is skilled but hes not an elite level shooter handler average athletically very slow footed and poor defender. His saving grace is his size for position. I see comparispns like harden hayward manu dragic etc..his playstyle is kinda like harden but without the elite handles or athleticism. He wont have better rookie season or impact than this years rookie donovan mitchell or jayson tatum for that matter.

[papidulo]

Also, even though hes playing against "grown men", European guards on a whole way less athletic than the NBA guards he will be playing against, so its justifiable to assume he will struggle.

Manu has to count, he is half-Italian and learned basketball in the European system, dominated in the NBA. Drazen as well, and Marciulionis was a very good NBA-player also. There are precedents.

They didn’t come into the NBA as the number 1 overall pick though, they were late round picks...

When I think about “hyped” European guards, I’m thinking Rubio, Hezonja... I’m skeptical on using high draft picks on foreign guards, bc more times than not they don’t live up to the hype they came into the league with

[leolozon]

Also, even though hes playing against "grown men", European guards on a whole way less athletic than the NBA guards he will be playing against, so its justifiable to assume he will struggle.

Manu has to count, he is half-Italian and learned basketball in the European system, dominated in the NBA. Drazen as well, and Marciulionis was a very good NBA-player also. There are precedents.

They didn’t come into the NBA as the number 1 overall pick though, they were late round picks...

When I think about “hyped” European guards, I’m thinking Rubio, Hezonja... I’m skeptical on using high draft picks on foreign guards, bc more times than not they don’t live up to the hype they came into the league with

So your sample size is two guys? One of which is actually good and never learned to shoot (it’s the thing everyone knew would hold him back and it’s exactly what happened). And the other one was never that hyped (condensus mock draft had him 7th) and is only in his 2nd year in a bad situation.

Weird generalization.

[Prince187]

It's funny how people immediately assume a young guy coming from europe will have problems defensively, when in reality the NBA is full of top NCAA picks who can't find their ass with both hands on defense.

I don't know how Luka's footspeed will compare to Wiggins, Jabari, KAT, Okafor etc, but I'm pretty sure he will know where to fkn stand at least. That will be refreshing

I think it's covert racism

Theres no track record of any European guard ever coming to the NBA and living up to their hype, so ppl are right to be skeptical.

Also, even though hes playing against "grown men", European guards on a whole way less athletic than the NBA guards he will be playing against, so its justifiable to assume he will struggle.

The covert racism comes in when people automatically assume a Euro player will be less athletic

[papidulo]

I think it's covert racism

Theres no track record of any European guard ever coming to the NBA and living up to their hype, so ppl are right to be skeptical.

Also, even though hes playing against "grown men", European guards on a whole way less athletic than the NBA guards he will be playing against, so its justifiable to assume he will struggle.

The covert racism comes in when people automatically assume a Euro player will be less athletic

Is it really an “assumption though”?

His footspeed is listed as one of his weaknesses...

That wasnt the case for guys like Porzingis, Hezonja and Jan Vesely. This is Doncic specifically

[Promezclan]

Also, even though hes playing against "grown men", European guards on a whole way less athletic than the NBA guards he will be playing against, so its justifiable to assume he will struggle.

Manu has to count, he is half-Italian and learned basketball in the European system, dominated in the NBA. Drazen as well, and Marciulionis was a very good NBA-player also. There are precedents.

Also Tony Parker. Though Manu is not half-Italian, he just has Italian ancestry, like most Argentinians - TJ McConnell is not half Irish.

Dennis Schroeder and Evan Fournier have also shown some potential relative to their draft positions and mediocre European accomplishments. .

[GYK]

15/5/5 shooting near .40% from deep.
That's who he might even his rookie season.

[Johnny Firpo]

Dennis Schroeder and Evan Fournier have also shown some potential relative to their draft positions and mediocre European accomplishments. .

I'm talking about the fact that he has an Italian citizenship as well. Yeah, Parker, good call!