Luka Dončić Discussion - Year 2

[Pointguard01]

https://streamable.com/neh3d

Such a good move!


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[XTraderXL]

It looks like he dropped some weight in the last couple of weeks and is in better shape. I knew that he can be an elite or close to elite shooter if he gets in shape. In 4 preseason games he shoots 43% from three on almost 6 shoths per game which is crazy.

[Archx]

It looks like he dropped some weight in the last couple of weeks and is in better shape. I knew that he can be an elite or close to elite shooter if he gets in shape. In 4 preseason games he shoots 43% from three on almost 6 shoths per game which is crazy.

He looks exactly the same to me, to be honest. Maybe white uniforms make him leaner.

[Bob8]

It looks like he dropped some weight in the last couple of weeks and is in better shape. I knew that he can be an elite or close to elite shooter if he gets in shape. In 4 preseason games he shoots 43% from three on almost 6 shoths per game which is crazy.

He’s the same last 2 years. He might look more heavy because others look great, but... You’re a bit obsessed with his weight anyway. If he shots like in preseason he will be o.k. If not, ...

[Domejandro]

https://streamable.com/neh3d

I was on the right side of history with this guy, thank goodness he went to an actually competent franchise.

[Dundalis]

Yeah I don't get how people can say he looks like he dropped some weight in a couple weeks. He looks the same. Unless you have scales or a device to measure body fat and have access to measure Doncic himself, these kinds of comments are a bit ridiculous.

He will certainly naturally get thiner as the season goes on due the cardio from all the games. Plus he mentioned his new diet and workout regimine being a work in progress in an interview before the last pre-season game.

I will say he does look visibly tired sometimes once he gets upwards of 20+ minutes, but we'll see how that continues during the season.

[wolfram]

Fatigue was always a bit of a problem for him. I can see him hitting a wall at some point during the season. I always wondered how can they play so many games in the NBA in such a short time. They must be on something I guess.

[Darren]

I am more concerned about Smith's mentality. Dennis seems to make bad decisions under pressure. I think mental toughness could be an area of concern at this stage of the rookie seasons. I think he really needs to involve the center in every possessions to create space to operate. Otherwise, Smith is too predictable to the shotblocker. In a long run, he really has to diversify his game. Shooting is also a barrier to him. He can't rely solely on dunks. I think studying Tony Parker's rookie season could help him. Parker is not a great athlete but he made high % shots under the basket. It seems to me that Luka can play well off ball but Dennis cannot. He really needs some smart. I think he's to make sure that he makes 60% from the rim (including free throw made). The Mavs rely on point in paints from 2-guards in their system. But the Mavs cannot count on Harris or Barea anymore. Both are at the wrong side of their career. Dennis has to mature quickly. I think he can learn a lot from teammates in every practice. I think he's improved his handles. But he's yet to learn to convert layups at high ways and involve teammates a little more.

[Dundalis]

I am more concerned about Smith's mentality. Dennis seems to make bad decisions under pressure. I think mental toughness could be an area of concern at this stage of the rookie seasons. I think he really needs to involve the center in every possessions to create space to operate. Otherwise, Smith is too predictable to the shotblocker. In a long run, he really has to diversify his game. Shooting is also a barrier to him. He can't rely solely on dunks. I think studying Tony Parker's rookie season could help him. Parker is not a great athlete but he made high % shots under the basket.

The only problem he has driving to the rim is drawing contact and getting to the FT line. Believe it or not Westbrook isn't a particularly great finisher at the rim, but he draws fouls. Makes a massive difference, and he needs to learn that particular skill if he wants to be an efficient offensive player. Not really seeing it so far, but it might be that we don't really see it until season 3 or 4.

[XTraderXL]

Yeah I don't get how people can say he looks like he dropped some weight in a couple weeks. He looks the same. Unless you have scales or a device to measure body fat and have access to measure Doncic himself, these kinds of comments are a bit ridiculous.

He will certainly naturally get thiner as the season goes on due the cardio from all the games. Plus he mentioned his new diet and workout regimine being a work in progress in an interview before the last pre-season game.

I will say he does look visibly tired sometimes once he gets upwards of 20+ minutes, but we'll see how that continues during the season.

So your contention is that I cant see he dropped weight by comparing photos of him from the first preseason game and the last one and that I shouldnt believe my eyes? Ok then

[Darren]

I think Luka has proven he's able to create off dribble. He's more athletic than Fournier. He's able to play off the ball. He can't be left opened. He may struggle against elite defenders. But I don't think it's a big issue. He plays solid defense in paint. He rebounds well. I think the only issue is poor perimeter defense. The rest is not related to fitness issue. Let's not compare a rookie with Lebron. Don't think too much about the hype right now. Hypes are meaningless. Athletic players like Veseley is out of the league right now.

[burek3]

Yeah I don't get how people can say he looks like he dropped some weight in a couple weeks. He looks the same. Unless you have scales or a device to measure body fat and have access to measure Doncic himself, these kinds of comments are a bit ridiculous.

He will certainly naturally get thiner as the season goes on due the cardio from all the games. Plus he mentioned his new diet and workout regimine being a work in progress in an interview before the last pre-season game.

I will say he does look visibly tired sometimes once he gets upwards of 20+ minutes, but we'll see how that continues during the season.

So your contention is that I cant see he dropped weight by comparing photos of him from the first preseason game and the last one and that I shouldnt believe my eyes? Ok then

You truly are a prisoner of your own delusions...

[XTraderXL]

Yeah I don't get how people can say he looks like he dropped some weight in a couple weeks. He looks the same. Unless you have scales or a device to measure body fat and have access to measure Doncic himself, these kinds of comments are a bit ridiculous.

He will certainly naturally get thiner as the season goes on due the cardio from all the games. Plus he mentioned his new diet and workout regimine being a work in progress in an interview before the last pre-season game.

I will say he does look visibly tired sometimes once he gets upwards of 20+ minutes, but we'll see how that continues during the season.

So your contention is that I cant see he dropped weight by comparing photos of him from the first preseason game and the last one and that I shouldnt believe my eyes? Ok then

You truly are a prisoner of your own delusions...

Why? Because I cant see him becoming an elite player in this league if he doesnt improve his athleticism?

[burek3]

So your contention is that I cant see he dropped weight by comparing photos of him from the first preseason game and the last one and that I shouldnt believe my eyes? Ok then

You truly are a prisoner of your own delusions...

Why? Because I cant see him becoming an elite player in this league if he doesnt improve his athleticism?

Not really. Because you are a broken record and fanatically searching any little microscopic thing that could potentially prove you right so that you can have bragging rights. And when you search so frantically for patterns that aren't there, you start seeing them even if they aren't there.

I could almost say it's borderline obsessive, but that would also be delusional on my part. You are obsessive just so you can prove someone wrong and yourself right. You do the same with commenting in Slovenian media also...

[thr3ep01nte4]

Things that determine his ceiling: 1.Shooting (on-the-catch & off-the-dribble), 2.Ball-handling (in tight spaces), 3.Conditioning. If he can be elite in all three, then his upside is as high as anybody since Lebron.

[Darren]

I think only time will tell whether or not he'll be as good as superstar. I can only tell he's already better than Evan Fournier by season opener. I think those kinds of arguments on hypes are meaningless. No one will win / lose those debates until he accomplishes or fails to accomplish in his prime.

[arkuo]

I'll keep an eye on Luka. It took Harden 4 seasons and a team transfer before he was able to average 25 a game. In his rookie year Harden averaged 9 ppg. I can see Luka topping that.

[J_T]

https://news.nike.com/news/nba-opening-week-pes-2018-19

In early September at Nike’s World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., nine players in the NBA and WNBA’s rookie and sophomore class arrived for a custom design session with NikeiD. The purpose was to design their opening-week kicks for the 2018-19 season, infused with whatever personalized flourish they wanted.

I have to admit I was afraid to scroll down after I saw some of monstrosities above him, but it's fine.

[Lord Cuban]

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[J_T]

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