Luka Dončić Discussion - Year 2

[arkuo]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

Shooters. At the corner threes. He gets to hit those dimes if the P&R fizzles out. That's why a guy like Middleton (who can hit 6 to 8 threes a game with ease) is so important. Same with Deandre or any other P&R big.

Doncic with 3 other shooters and Deandre would be a nightmare to guard. You just cant double team anyone anymore.

[J_T]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

I wrote a list of optimal fits before the draft somewhere and the top two profiles were

1. Athletic big rollers, who can run in transition (DAJ/Powell are great fits)
2. 3&D wings

[juanc]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

Next to DSJ, Luka and Deandre
Klay(defense & shooting), Ariza(Defense and shooting)

A lineup of DSJ, Klay, Ariza, Luka and DJ would be just ridiculous

[Bob8]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

Defensive oriented guard, someone like Beverly, Ntilikina + some good shooters + rim protector, who can play pick&roll.

[arkuo]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

Defensive oriented guard, someone like Beverly, Ntilikina + some good shooters + rim protector, who can play pick&roll.

I'd like for Dallas to get a shot at signing Terry Rozier. Seems like a good fit to replace Barea.

[Pointguard01]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

I wrote a list of optimal fits before the draft somewhere and the top two profiles were

1. Athletic big rollers, who can run in transition (DAJ/Powell are great fits)
2. 3&D wings

Yep, I think that's it.

I do think #3 would be another creator. Not because of Luka, but every good team needs at least 2 creators. The hope has to be that DSJ is going to play that role as a primary scorer and secondary distributor down the line.

And yes, Kris Middleton should be the #1 target this offseason. I would throw all out money at him (jimmy Butler is too old, Klay Thompson too unattainable). There's not a great center option out there, and if DAJ does ok this year, I'd be ok bringing him back for 15-million ish.

It will also be interesting to see how Barnes adds to this team; he is use to being able to ISO and that doesn't go well with Luka. Can Barnes be more of a driver and spot up shooter, vs. the ISO player he has turned into the past two years?

[arkuo]

It will also be interesting to see how Barnes adds to this team; he is use to being able to ISO and that doesn't go well with Luka. Can Barnes be more of a driver and spot up shooter, vs. the ISO player he has turned into the past two years?

I've seen a video somewhere where it shows that Barnes fares better on if he catches and shoots rather than takes 5 seconds of the clock doing crossovers or backing his opponent down. I do think he can hit those corner threes.

More than that, I do think he adds another dimension to our offense. Instead of jacking 50 three point shot attempts per game as the clock winds down, Barnes can actually work on isolation plays for possessions that the P&R plays called don't end up too well.

And yes, I agree on throwing all our money on Middleton. He played with Barnes in Team USA. Maybe DJ too? Hope someone can confirm that. So I do think if Cuban sends a contingent as a pitch team, those two guys will play a huge role in recruitment. Downside is it might take $30M for Milwaukee to leave the table. $30M means bye bye Matthews, Barea and DFS. And DJ takes a pay cut.

[agentofatlas]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

Prime Kyle Lowry.

But in all seriousness, he needs athletes and shooters. He also needs another playmaker. One who can get to the paint consistently to maximize his off ball game.

[daoneandonly]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

Prime Kyle Lowry.

But in all seriousness, he needs athletes and shooters. He also needs another playmaker. One who can get to the paint consistently to maximize his off ball game.[/quote]

Sounds like what DSJ could be to me

[daoneandonly]

For those of you who know Luka well, who is the type of player that he is best paired with? Specific examples of NBA guys?

I wrote a list of optimal fits before the draft somewhere and the top two profiles were

1. Athletic big rollers, who can run in transition (DAJ/Powell are great fits)
2. 3&D wings

Yep, I think that's it.

I do think #3 would be another creator. Not because of Luka, but every good team needs at least 2 creators. The hope has to be that DSJ is going to play that role as a primary scorer and secondary distributor down the line.

And yes, Kris Middleton should be the #1 target this offseason. I would throw all out money at him (jimmy Butler is too old, Klay Thompson too unattainable). There's not a great center option out there, and if DAJ does ok this year, I'd be ok bringing him back for 15-million ish.

It will also be interesting to see how Barnes adds to this team; he is use to being able to ISO and that doesn't go well with Luka. Can Barnes be more of a driver and spot up shooter, vs. the ISO player he has turned into the past two years?

I really want to see what Barnes can do with Luka & DSJ, I think he will relieve them a lot of the pressure and vice versa. I'm also on board to go after MIdds, he'd be my #1 target, though I think the Bucks are all in on him and Giannis, so may be a pipedream

Another guy who would be a great fit would have been Robert Covington. he can guard 1-4, shoot the 3, and doe snot try to do too much like our supposed 3&D specialist, who doesn't have much 3 or D.

[arkuo]

I wrote a list of optimal fits before the draft somewhere and the top two profiles were

1. Athletic big rollers, who can run in transition (DAJ/Powell are great fits)
2. 3&D wings

Yep, I think that's it.

I do think #3 would be another creator. Not because of Luka, but every good team needs at least 2 creators. The hope has to be that DSJ is going to play that role as a primary scorer and secondary distributor down the line.

And yes, Kris Middleton should be the #1 target this offseason. I would throw all out money at him (jimmy Butler is too old, Klay Thompson too unattainable). There's not a great center option out there, and if DAJ does ok this year, I'd be ok bringing him back for 15-million ish.

It will also be interesting to see how Barnes adds to this team; he is use to being able to ISO and that doesn't go well with Luka. Can Barnes be more of a driver and spot up shooter, vs. the ISO player he has turned into the past two years?

I'm also on board to go after MIdds, he'd be my #1 target, though I think the Bucks are all in on him and Giannis, so may be a pipedream

If the Bucks match its actually a finnancial trap for them. A max for Giannis and a max for Middleton plus bad contracts like Snell and Henson means they arent signing anyone else in 2 years. That means 2 more seasons of disappointment for Giannis which could mean he bolts. They'll have a hard time beating Philly and Boston in the east if they remain the same. Signing Midds to a huge contract would mean the treadmill for them. Thats a step forward and two steps back.

[daoneandonly]

Yep, I think that's it.

I do think #3 would be another creator. Not because of Luka, but every good team needs at least 2 creators. The hope has to be that DSJ is going to play that role as a primary scorer and secondary distributor down the line.

And yes, Kris Middleton should be the #1 target this offseason. I would throw all out money at him (jimmy Butler is too old, Klay Thompson too unattainable). There's not a great center option out there, and if DAJ does ok this year, I'd be ok bringing him back for 15-million ish.

It will also be interesting to see how Barnes adds to this team; he is use to being able to ISO and that doesn't go well with Luka. Can Barnes be more of a driver and spot up shooter, vs. the ISO player he has turned into the past two years?

I'm also on board to go after MIdds, he'd be my #1 target, though I think the Bucks are all in on him and Giannis, so may be a pipedream

If the Bucks match its actually a finnancial trap for them. A max for Giannis and a max for Middleton plus bad contracts like Snell and Henson means they arent signing anyone else in 2 years. That means 2 more seasons of disappointment for Giannis which could mean he bolts. They'll have a hard time beating Philly and Boston in the east if they remain the same. Signing Midds to a huge contract would mean the treadmill for them. Thats a step forward and two steps back.

But what other option would they have?

[arkuo]

I'm also on board to go after MIdds, he'd be my #1 target, though I think the Bucks are all in on him and Giannis, so may be a pipedream

If the Bucks match its actually a finnancial trap for them. A max for Giannis and a max for Middleton plus bad contracts like Snell and Henson means they arent signing anyone else in 2 years. That means 2 more seasons of disappointment for Giannis which could mean he bolts. They'll have a hard time beating Philly and Boston in the east if they remain the same. Signing Midds to a huge contract would mean the treadmill for them. Thats a step forward and two steps back.

But what other option would they have?

If I were them I'd trade Midds now and sell high. Get pieces to surround Giannis with. Rather than wait for someone to bid at $30M and being forced to match. Their PG and C position arent even settled yet. If they match a big deal for Midds they will be forced to have a revolving door of PGs and centers every season again. And they only have 2 more years before Giannis hits the free agent market. I dont see them going over Boston in 2 seasons with that many holes in the lineup.

[Rn5ho]

https://www.facebook.com/PeakPerformanceProject/videos/172024243750588/


P3:
"A couple highlights that exemplify Luka Doncic athletic strengths against elite NBA athletes (the two defenders in this clip have been assessed by P3 multiple times and are both exceptional accelerators).

The first thing that stands out about Luka is his ability to decelerate. He ranks in the 90th percentile of our NBA database in peak force generated during the eccentric phase of the countermovement jump. Luka compliments this ability with impressive performance on the Trap Bar Jump - an assessment of an athlete's strength properties - ranking roughly a deviation above P3's NBA norm as a 19 year old. "

[JamesConway]

Needs to be better on defense. He can't loose Taurean Prince three times in transition for wide open three pointers. For all the well-deserved positive critique he gets so far those plays really hurt us last night. Conditioning also continues to be a big issue. Also more TOs than assists at this point over the first few games. Got called for travelling/palming a few times which is probably smth that will get better over time, but overall he's been producing too many unforced errors whenever he has the ball in his hands.

PHX: 4 assists, 4 TOs

MIN: 3 assists, 6 TOs

CHI: 6 assists, 3 TOs

ATL: 2 assists, 3 TOs

Only four games in but it's a pretty common problem so far. Will be something to monitor all year I'd assume. Had to be expected though.

[arkuo]

Needs to be better on defense. He can't loose Taurean Prince three times in transition for wide open three pointers. For all the well-deserved positive critique he deserves so far those plays really hurt us last night. Conditioning also continues to be a big issue. Also more TOs than assists at this point over the first few games. Got called for travelling/palming a few times which is probably smth that will get better over time, but overall he's been producing too many unforced errors whenever he has the ball in his hands.

PHX: 4 assists, 4 TOs

MIN: 3 assists, 6 TOs

CHI: 6 assists, 3 TOs

ATL: 2 assists, 3 TOs

Only four games in but it's a pretty common problem so far. Will be something to monitor all year I'd assume. Had to be expected though.

Damn. I miss those Steve Nash days where we'd run reckless fastbreaks all game and just end with like 7 turnovers as a team. Those were the good old days.

Right now we're also number 1 in the NBA in 3 point shots attempted but only 24th in 3 point shots made. Imagine if we made half of those 43 attempts. Good Lord.

[Bob8]

Needs to be better on defense. He can't loose Taurean Prince three times in transition for wide open three pointers. For all the well-deserved positive critique he gets so far those plays really hurt us last night. Conditioning also continues to be a big issue. Also more TOs than assists at this point over the first few games. Got called for travelling/palming a few times which is probably smth that will get better over time, but overall he's been producing too many unforced errors whenever he has the ball in his hands.

PHX: 4 assists, 4 TOs

MIN: 3 assists, 6 TOs

CHI: 6 assists, 3 TOs

ATL: 2 assists, 3 TOs

Only four games in but it's a pretty common problem so far. Will be something to monitor all year I'd assume. Had to be expected though.

I hope he will have carrier similar to top 3 in turnovers at the moment.

Harden, Booker and Giannis have 5+ TO.

I agree he can and should be better, but his style of playing will always produce some turnovers.

[J_T]

Needs to be better on defense. He can't loose Taurean Prince three times in transition for wide open three pointers. For all the well-deserved positive critique he deserves so far those plays really hurt us last night. Conditioning also continues to be a big issue. Also more TOs than assists at this point over the first few games. Got called for travelling/palming a few times which is probably smth that will get better over time, but overall he's been producing too many unforced errors whenever he has the ball in his hands.

PHX: 4 assists, 4 TOs

MIN: 3 assists, 6 TOs

CHI: 6 assists, 3 TOs

ATL: 2 assists, 3 TOs

Only four games in but it's a pretty common problem so far. Will be something to monitor all year I'd assume. Had to be expected though.

Damn. I miss those Steve Nash days where we'd run reckless fastbreaks all game and just end with like 7 turnovers as a team. Those were the good old days.

Right now we're also number 1 in the NBA in 3 point shots attempted but only 24th in 3 point shots made. Imagine if we made half of those 43 attempts. Good Lord.

Just for fun I checked first 5 games Nash played in the league (although his role was not even close to Luka's role, he was playing around 15 minutes per game):

ass/ tov
0 / 0
1 / 0
1 / 1
1 / 2
5 / 5

22.5 years old

Luka will be fine. At the moment the main adaptation in that department will be the timings and spacing on the floor - both differing from Europe by a lot.

[matt6715]

Needs to be better on defense. He can't loose Taurean Prince three times in transition for wide open three pointers. For all the well-deserved positive critique he gets so far those plays really hurt us last night. Conditioning also continues to be a big issue. Also more TOs than assists at this point over the first few games. Got called for travelling/palming a few times which is probably smth that will get better over time, but overall he's been producing too many unforced errors whenever he has the ball in his hands.

PHX: 4 assists, 4 TOs

MIN: 3 assists, 6 TOs

CHI: 6 assists, 3 TOs

ATL: 2 assists, 3 TOs

Only four games in but it's a pretty common problem so far. Will be something to monitor all year I'd assume. Had to be expected though.

I hope he will have carrier similar to top 3 in turnovers at the moment.

Harden, Booker and Giannis have 5+ TO.

I agree he can and should be better, but his style of playing will always produce some turnovers.

Bingo. primary creators always average a bunch of turnovers. We're accustomed to RC's 'no turnover' approach because we couldnt grab rebounds or run in transition, and the only way to maximize possessions was to take care of the rock. It's less important now with the way the team is being constructed

[agentofatlas]

Don't know if this was posted but great article by Tjarks at the Ringer. Provides great insight on Luka and what RC has plan for him in context with the team.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/10/24/18018154/luka-doncic-dallas-mavericks-feature