https://sports.yahoo.com/luka-doncic-might-safest-pick-nba-draft-144228512.htmlLuka Doncic envisions his potential first moments in the NBA, driving down the lane and dunking over an NBA icon. Doncic is a 6-foot-8 playmaking prodigy out of Slovenia, perhaps the most decorated European-to-NBA prospect whose favorite player is LeBron James. He’s four days from becoming one of the top picks in the 2018 NBA draft and will soon be able to turn his dreams into an American reality.
“If I dunk on LeBron, I can retire,” Doncic told Yahoo Sports by phone, laughing.
“I’m kidding, but no, no, of course I want to bring my personality to the States.”
Doncic has dazzled with his scoring and passing, with a bravado that made him the EuroLeague MVP and EuroLeague Final Four MVP. He has positioned himself to be a top draft selection, and the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks have each traveled to Europe late in Doncic’s season to meet him, league sources said.
Doncic carried himself with confidence since joining Real Madrid’s junior team in 2012, then joined the powerhouse EuroLeague club in 2014. He’s played high-level organized basketball since he was 8. For some teams in the lottery, questions, albeit faint, remain about Doncic’s ability to adapt to the NBA’s athleticism and pace, but his pedigree suggests he will translate. He has the frame to play point guard through small forward — and maybe even power forward at times. In a draft dominated by big men, Doncic has the potential to be the best playmaker who can elevate the play of his teammates.
To that end, Doncic, 19, is adamant about which position he desires to play in the NBA.
“Honestly, I really prefer to play point guard, to have the ball in my hands and play for other people,” Doncic told Yahoo Sports. “Playing from the one to the four, that’s the strength that I have over everyone. I want to play for my teammates and make them better. I really prefer to have the ball in my hands, and play for everybody else. I will do anything for my team. I’m happy when I can play point. It’s easier for me. I can fight more in the post and create for my teammates.
“From the beginning when I came to Real Madrid, I saw that I loved to create for others. I like to play pick-and-roll with the ball and pass from everywhere. From the beginning, I wanted to be the point guard.”
His leadership permeates off the floor, too, and Doncic has relished the team meals and practices during his time with Real Madrid. Doncic has the potential to reset a team’s culture after his accomplished professional career and isn’t hampered by the questions that often surround typical Euro prospects.
“That’s an advantage for me over everyone,” Doncic told Yahoo Sports. “To play in the Euroleague, they have a lot of ex-NBA players and I have gained a lot of experience. Especially after this year, I had a good season. I’ll be able to adjust because in the NBA, it’s not easier to score … but it’s different. In Europe, for example, the difference can be the three-second rule and there’s only so much spacing. In the NBA, there’s more physicality, more spacing, and that is my advantage, too.
“When I go on the court, I enjoy it. I’m a team player and I like to be with my guys. When we go to dinner, we go whole team — I like that. My mom [Mirjam Poterbin] has been an important part of my life, my grandmother and everybody in my family. I know I have a great family and friends, and they will always help me on this new journey. I’ll enjoy challenging myself in the NBA.”
Phoenix is expected to select Arizona’s Deandre Ayton at No. 1. Sacramento has long been intrigued by Doncic, but has De’Aaron Fox as its point guard of the future, and league sources said the Kings have targeted a perimeter big throughout the pre-draft process, bringing in Duke’s Marvin Bagley III for a workout. Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. had an MRI on his hip return clean this week, and his placement in the draft’s top 10 will be a significant factor Thursday.
