Luka Dončić Discussion - Year 2

[J_T]

Doncic does exactly the same things all other top young players around the league do. Him being from Central/Eastern Europe doesn't mean that he drinks goat's blood before every game and turns into a werewolf twice per month. He plays computer games, is active on social media and is clearly a very social, extrovert person. It seems very easy for him to make connections with much older players and seems to be communicating with many players/coaches. He will be more active than Dirk was in recruiting players when needed.

[Archx]

Doncic does exactly the same things all other top young players around the league do. Him being from Central/Eastern Europe doesn't mean that he drinks goat's blood before every game and turns into a werewolf twice per month. He plays computer games, is active on social media and is clearly a very social, extrovert person. It seems very easy for him to make connections with much older players and seems to be communicating with many players/coaches. He will be more active than Dirk was in recruiting players when needed.

Central/Eastern europe? What is that? We don't belong to eastern europe ... Or you meant from southern part of central europe, then you are correct

But anyway, right now no one will come to the Mavs because of Luka, he hasn't proven anything yet. So he is still years away from being FA magnet. Unless he has an outstanding rookie year and creates offense like Kidd did.
If you look at LAL for example, when Lonzo was at the point, even Lebron recognized his talent and i am sure he wouldn't sign with us if he didn't like what he saw. So Luka will probably focus on making his team better in the first year or two and hopefully he will be successful enough to attract other top FA's.

[J_T]

Doncic does exactly the same things all other top young players around the league do. Him being from Central/Eastern Europe doesn't mean that he drinks goat's blood before every game and turns into a werewolf twice per month. He plays computer games, is active on social media and is clearly a very social, extrovert person. It seems very easy for him to make connections with much older players and seems to be communicating with many players/coaches. He will be more active than Dirk was in recruiting players when needed.

Central/Eastern europe? What is that? We don't belong to eastern europe ... Or you meant from southern part of central europe, then you are correct

But anyway, right now no one will come to the Mavs because of Luka, he hasn't proven anything yet. So he is still years away from being FA magnet. Unless he has an outstanding rookie year and creates offense like Kidd did.
If you look at LAL for example, when Lonzo was at the point, even Lebron recognized his talent and i am sure he wouldn't sign with us if he didn't like what he saw. So Luka will probably focus on making his team better in the first year or two and hopefully he will be successful enough to attract other top FA's.

Well, that goes without saying. I don't think there has ever been a rookie that would be attracting big FA's. On the other hand there are superstar players that have ONLY skill going for them, to the extent where brands don't want to pay them anymore.
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/250818/Jordan-Brand-No-Longer-Interested-In-Re-Signing-Kawhi-Leonard
Four tweets and you want 40M per year? Literally nobody has heard you say a word for last year and a half? Get outta here!

[Archx]

Doncic does exactly the same things all other top young players around the league do. Him being from Central/Eastern Europe doesn't mean that he drinks goat's blood before every game and turns into a werewolf twice per month. He plays computer games, is active on social media and is clearly a very social, extrovert person. It seems very easy for him to make connections with much older players and seems to be communicating with many players/coaches. He will be more active than Dirk was in recruiting players when needed.

Central/Eastern europe? What is that? We don't belong to eastern europe ... Or you meant from southern part of central europe, then you are correct

But anyway, right now no one will come to the Mavs because of Luka, he hasn't proven anything yet. So he is still years away from being FA magnet. Unless he has an outstanding rookie year and creates offense like Kidd did.
If you look at LAL for example, when Lonzo was at the point, even Lebron recognized his talent and i am sure he wouldn't sign with us if he didn't like what he saw. So Luka will probably focus on making his team better in the first year or two and hopefully he will be successful enough to attract other top FA's.

Well, that goes without saying. I don't think there has ever been a rookie that would be attracting big FA's. On the other hand there are superstar players that have ONLY skill going for them, to the extent where brands don't want to pay them anymore.
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/250818/Jordan-Brand-No-Longer-Interested-In-Re-Signing-Kawhi-Leonard
Four tweets and you want 40M per year? Literally nobody has heard you say a word for last year and a half? Get outta here!

Yeah just saw that...crazy. Helps if you have a nice personality. Luckily Luka has Howard type of goofy mindset but with extreme motivation and dedication along with it. He just has to prove it on the court in the next few years.

[Rn5ho]

Doncic does exactly the same things all other top young players around the league do. Him being from Central/Eastern Europe doesn't mean that he drinks goat's blood before every game and turns into a werewolf twice per month. He plays computer games, is active on social media and is clearly a very social, extrovert person. It seems very easy for him to make connections with much older players and seems to be communicating with many players/coaches. He will be more active than Dirk was in recruiting players when needed.

Central/Eastern europe? What is that? We don't belong to eastern europe ... Or you meant from southern part of central europe, then you are correct

But anyway, right now no one will come to the Mavs because of Luka, he hasn't proven anything yet. So he is still years away from being FA magnet. Unless he has an outstanding rookie year and creates offense like Kidd did.
If you look at LAL for example, when Lonzo was at the point, even Lebron recognized his talent and i am sure he wouldn't sign with us if he didn't like what he saw. So Luka will probably focus on making his team better in the first year or two and hopefully he will be successful enough to attract other top FA's.

Lol, LeBron signed for LA because he wanted to move to LA, not because he thought Lonzo has such immense potential and his father is cool. LeBron doesn't care about some rookie who can't shoot and has **** PR/father. He came to finish the career in LA and settle there with his family. I'm yet to hear/read about his big admiration of Lonzo's potential..

But doesn't matter lol, this discussion is really pointless, talking about years in the future, let's rather talk now. Luka will focus on adapting on the league and proving he can ball with "the big men", his last worry will be to attract big FAs in next 2 years or so lol.

[Archx]

Doncic does exactly the same things all other top young players around the league do. Him being from Central/Eastern Europe doesn't mean that he drinks goat's blood before every game and turns into a werewolf twice per month. He plays computer games, is active on social media and is clearly a very social, extrovert person. It seems very easy for him to make connections with much older players and seems to be communicating with many players/coaches. He will be more active than Dirk was in recruiting players when needed.

Central/Eastern europe? What is that? We don't belong to eastern europe ... Or you meant from southern part of central europe, then you are correct

But anyway, right now no one will come to the Mavs because of Luka, he hasn't proven anything yet. So he is still years away from being FA magnet. Unless he has an outstanding rookie year and creates offense like Kidd did.
If you look at LAL for example, when Lonzo was at the point, even Lebron recognized his talent and i am sure he wouldn't sign with us if he didn't like what he saw. So Luka will probably focus on making his team better in the first year or two and hopefully he will be successful enough to attract other top FA's.

Lol, LeBron signed for LA because he wanted to move to LA, not because he thought Lonzo has such immense potential and his father is cool. LeBron doesn't care about some rookie who can't shoot and has **** PR/father. He came to finish the career in LA and settle there with his family. I'm yet to hear/read about his big admiration of Lonzo's potential..

But doesn't matter lol, this discussion is really pointless, talking about years in the future, let's rather talk now. Luka will focus on adapting on the league and proving he can ball with "the big men", his last worry will be to attract big FAs in next 2 years or so lol.

You completely missed the point what me and J_T were talking about.... So i don't know what to even answer because your response makes no sense. And i also never said Lebron came to LAL because of Lonzo rofl, that would be stupid to even think so.

[Pointguard01]

I just worry that Doncic and Smith will collide simply because they're both PG's. You're not using Doncic to his full potential if he's not the orchestrator of the offense.

If DSJ lives up to his potential, he’s scoring 22-24 a night on good shooting numbers. He’s a combo guard, and Doncic will actually allow him to play that role. Dude is way to athletic and gifted to not be in that role. I don’t think I consider DSJ a natural PG.

Now, it’s up to him to a) own this role b) figure out how to be effective in this role.


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[juanc]

Watch on YouTube

;t=353s

My favourite Luka highlight video

[wolfram]

Dirk Nowitzki said recently in Dan Patrick show Luka is a legit 6' 9" standing next to him (in shoes obviously). So that's official now

[arkuo]

So now that Luka has grown to a legit 6'9. with him being only 19, you guys think he grows to 6'10 or 6'11? or that's pushing it?

[J_T]

So now that Luka has grown to a legit 6'9. with him being only 19, you guys think he grows to 6'10 or 6'11? or that's pushing it?

I don't think that he is exactly 6'9 in shoes. It has been discussed that he is probably around 6'8.5 and this could be rounded in either direction. There is no way I can see him growing above 6'9. Probably not even up to 6'9.

[arkuo]

So now that Luka has grown to a legit 6'9. with him being only 19, you guys think he grows to 6'10 or 6'11? or that's pushing it?

I don't think that he is exactly 6'9 in shoes. It has been discussed that he is probably around 6'8.5 and this could be rounded in either direction. There is no way I can see him growing above 6'9. Probably not even up to 6'9.

Interesting. At 6'8.5 to 6'9, he's now even taller than Barnes. In which case he can play PF too. A position where his speed (or lack thereof) becomes an advantage over opposing PFs. That's Ben Simmons territory. DSJ + Deandre + 3 interchangeable wings. That's probably it.

[Darren]

I have watched the first quarter Doncic-Westbrook matchup against OKC. I think Doncic a liability on defense could be exaggerating. He defended Westbrook pretty well. However, his lack of jump shots are concerning. And his turnovers in paint against more athletic defenders are another concerns. He's much better off with the ball in his hand. But he can't be effective scoring or making plays in paint without turnovers consistently on high level competition. I think these 2 are his main obstacles to deal with in his first rookie season. He's like the fifth option on court every time. He can play PG quite well, though.

As a team, things might not look good. I can foresee opponents crowding the paint to create turnovers and missed open 3s for Doncic and Smith. I could be a real problem the team has to resolve. The situation is like Philly vs Cavs last playoff. Simmons get completely KO with defenders closing the lanes (to mid-range) actually. When the guard can't get deep into the paint, shooters from outside always face a defender on their faces. Both Matthews and Dirk can't create much space for themselves. I think things could go ugly losing nearly all elite shooters shooting 40-plus from the perimeter. Both Yogi and McDermott are light on their feets unlike Matthews and Dirk.

[burek3]

That is 2 years old footage.

[Darren]

As weird as it sounds, Barnes and Broekhoff could influence the winning percentage greatly. Both could take charge to defend the best players on other teams. And both must shoot at least 40% from the arc. Barnes is the only one with enough playmaking and shotmaking ability to close games. I hope Smith can join him like Lillard does. We need somebody who can create space to shoot in crunch time for himself or for teammates.

[Darren]

That is 2 years old footage.

yes, Westbrook could slow down at some point. Back to the topic, Doncic gets blowed by when he's not focused. But more consistently, he gets picked away with screen. He rebound pretty well, though. I think Doncic at 4 make a lot more sense if he continues to grow to 6-10. He's footspeed advantage against big. But he's too slow against 1-3. He can't even create easy layups off fastbreaks.

[burek3]

That is 2 years old footage.

yes, Westbrook could slow down at some point. Back to the topic, Doncic gets blowed by when he's not focused. But more consistently, he gets picked away with screen. He rebound pretty well, though. I think Doncic at 4 make a lot more sense if he continues to grow to 6-10. He's footspeed advantage against big. But he's too slow against 1-3. He can't even create easy layups off fastbreaks.

I don't understand, you are talking like he will be dropped into a game straight from a vacation eating burgers and watching Netflix all day every day.

And you are basing your opinion (in this case) on 2 years old footage of a 17 year old kid versus serious NBA talent.

[juanc]

That is 2 years old footage.

yes, Westbrook could slow down at some point. Back to the topic, Doncic gets blowed by when he's not focused. But more consistently, he gets picked away with screen. He rebound pretty well, though. I think Doncic at 4 make a lot more sense if he continues to grow to 6-10. He's footspeed advantage against big. But he's too slow against 1-3. He can't even create easy layups off fastbreaks.

A 17 years old kid should put up 25/10/15 against such bad players like Westbrook, Adams, Oladipo,... Am I right Darren? If you would put Ayton/JJJ/Bamba They would singlehandedly win the game(even if it it 2 years ago,but it doesn't matter since Doncic didn't improve in the last 2 years.

Here you have the game against France(Diaw, Lauvergne, Fournier,...)

Watch on YouTube

;t=1172s

Here you have the game against Spain(Hernangomez bros, Gasol bros, Rubio)

Watch on YouTube

;t=439s

And here you have the game against Latvia(Porzingis,Bertans), where he takes on Porzingis

Watch on YouTube

;t=636s

And Eurobasket was almost a year ago.

[XTraderXL]

That is 2 years old footage.

yes, Westbrook could slow down at some point. Back to the topic, Doncic gets blowed by when he's not focused. But more consistently, he gets picked away with screen. He rebound pretty well, though. I think Doncic at 4 make a lot more sense if he continues to grow to 6-10. He's footspeed advantage against big. But he's too slow against 1-3. He can't even create easy layups off fastbreaks.

Mate, you completely missed the point. Bureks comment wasnt meant to be about RW slowing down, it was about Doncic being 17 years old at the time when that game was played. You are basing your opinion of Doncic on one quarter of a game he played against an NBA playoff team with that seasons league MVP. Doncic is way better player today than he was 2 years ago, he is bigger, stronger and a lot more experienced. Watch some games from this season, especially from the early part of the season before he physicaly started to regress. If Doncic gets in good physical shape, he will have a very good rookie season and would be my favorite to win ROY. But it all starts with him being in shape. If he stays in same shape he was in at the end of the season, his first year will be average/bad.

[Darren]

I actually mean he's better defender than many people give him credit for. Westbrook, is one of the most explosive player in the league. But Doncic does succeed in staying in front of him at 17 yo. I only mean shooting from long range and efficiency in crowded paint are area of concerns for him moving forward. He's obviously better than Lonzo Ball.