2018/19 ROY/Rookie Discussion Thread (Pt 2)

[life_saver]

I haven't watched Ayton or Suns much....so can anyone say how has he looked offensively? How good is he at post?

+ Good jump shot and passing. Great hands and finishing around the rim.

- Very little post game and can't create his own offense otherwise. Even if he posts up in a mismatch he'll likely pass it back out or end up with a jump hook. No aggression/creativity when he gets the ball; looks to pass first.


Please don't ask about his motor, rim protection, help defense, or overall awareness.

Thanks...I was wondering if he was similar to KAT offensively...I remember reading his draft report that he has a complete game offensively and is excellent at post+good mid-range game.

[N8N]

Luka so clutch again. Big 3, hits his FTs, rebounds, assists Junior on last play. Meanwhile Ayton is leading his team right to the very bottom...

Luka only heated up at the very end, which you can say when it matters most, but still he did contribute in other ways even when he was cold.

That said, we don't need to put down other players to put up ours. I have high hopes for Ayton. And Ayton has given Luka major props in public. Unless someone does something really stupid like LeBron and Wade mocking Dirk's illness in the Finals, we should just be grateful with Dallas's luck landing Doncic.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Read on Twitter

[Andri]

Doncic is the first player ever to remind me of Larry Bird.

I am not talking about the white thing, I am talking about their game.

[mcmurphy]

I'm curious how the DSJ / Doncic combo develops. Contrary to what many said before, I don't think it's a given that it can't work out and then Mavs need to trade him. Reports out of Dallas say that Smith buys into the program, has a good relationship with Doncic and is willing to adapt his game to help the team win. He obviously needs to improve his shooting, but if he can turn himself into a versatile combo guard and play D like here on a consistent basis:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mavericks/comments/a3a48l/dsjs_insane_defense_on_the_trail_blazers/

then I don't think Dallas needs to get rid of him unless it's a deal that nets them a surefire star player.

I was for trade DSJ because it is difficult for a scorer (inefficient) to change mentality but I'm ready to eating crow if DSJ instead to make stupid shot shows always the aggressiveness in defense against Portland.

[bwgood77]

I'm curious how the DSJ / Doncic combo develops. Contrary to what many said before, I don't think it's a given that it can't work out and then Mavs need to trade him. Reports out of Dallas say that Smith buys into the program, has a good relationship with Doncic and is willing to adapt his game to help the team win. He obviously needs to improve his shooting, but if he can turn himself into a versatile combo guard and play D like here on a consistent basis:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mavericks/comments/a3a48l/dsjs_insane_defense_on_the_trail_blazers/

then I don't think Dallas needs to get rid of him unless it's a deal that nets them a surefire star player.

They have the best chemistry on the team despite what many are saying. DSJ passes to him often, willingly and they seem to really get along and play off each other well.

[Karate Diop]

Him and Robinson have been the most impressive 2nd round prospects so far . Just glides down the court so effortlessly

Kurucs motor is just pain awesome. He's a real joy to watch because he never quits on a play.

Have to ask you... what's his nickname? Or does he is not yet good enough for you to give him a 5 star nickname?

Glad you asked... I was going to make a GB thread but haven't had the time, but Rodions nickname is THE KURUCODILE

[koyotee]

Doncic would have many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots, but because he is usually the highest scorer on the team that's not so easy. Maybe mavs should wait a year or two to see if dsj can actually coexist with doncic. His arms do look muscular but you can see many times he uses his whole body and struggles to make a pass and his height doesn't hrlp him either.

[The-Power]

Doncic would have many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots

Says any fan of an individual (playmaking) player ever. You guys know they track ‘potential assists’? He would not have ‘many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots’. That's just the selective perception bias speaking.

[zonedefense]

Doncic would have many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots

Says any fan of an individual (playmaking) player ever. You guys know they track ‘potential assists’? He would not have ‘many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots’. That's just the selective perception bias speaking.

He ranks 33th in potential assists and 48th in assists. Especially DAJ fumbles a lot of passes or misses easy layups and dunks.

[nolang1]

Doncic would have many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots

Says any fan of an individual (playmaking) player ever. You guys know they track ‘potential assists’? He would not have ‘many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots’. That's just the selective perception bias speaking.

He ranks 33th in potential assists and 48th in assists. Especially DAJ fumbles a lot of passes or misses easy layups and dunks.

Right, that's not "many more." I'm sure the difference between 33rd and 48th in assists is fewer than one assist per game.

[clyde21]

Doncic would have many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots

Says any fan of an individual (playmaking) player ever. You guys know they track ‘potential assists’? He would not have ‘many more assists if his teammates actually made the shots’. That's just the selective perception bias speaking.

He ranks 33th in potential assists and 48th in assists. Especially DAJ fumbles a lot of passes or misses easy layups and dunks.

You can literally say that about every player.

Doncic has been incredible on his own merits...no need to start with these weird narratives.

[Duke4life831]

I'm curious how the DSJ / Doncic combo develops. Contrary to what many said before, I don't think it's a given that it can't work out and then Mavs need to trade him. Reports out of Dallas say that Smith buys into the program, has a good relationship with Doncic and is willing to adapt his game to help the team win. He obviously needs to improve his shooting, but if he can turn himself into a versatile combo guard and play D like here on a consistent basis:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mavericks/comments/a3a48l/dsjs_insane_defense_on_the_trail_blazers/

then I don't think Dallas needs to get rid of him unless it's a deal that nets them a surefire star player.

They have the best chemistry on the team despite what many are saying. DSJ passes to him often, willingly and they seem to really get along and play off each other well.

Ya I've caught a good amount of Dallas games, it seems like DSJ and Doncic really have no issues playing with each other. I just keep seeing people say DSJ and Doncic don't work, so I just assume I see the few games where those two actually look solid together. I like that duo.

[gh123]

I'm curious how the DSJ / Doncic combo develops. Contrary to what many said before, I don't think it's a given that it can't work out and then Mavs need to trade him. Reports out of Dallas say that Smith buys into the program, has a good relationship with Doncic and is willing to adapt his game to help the team win. He obviously needs to improve his shooting, but if he can turn himself into a versatile combo guard and play D like here on a consistent basis:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mavericks/comments/a3a48l/dsjs_insane_defense_on_the_trail_blazers/

then I don't think Dallas needs to get rid of him unless it's a deal that nets them a surefire star player.

They have the best chemistry on the team despite what many are saying. DSJ passes to him often, willingly and they seem to really get along and play off each other well.

Ya I've caught a good amount of Dallas games, it seems like DSJ and Doncic really have no issues playing with each other. I just keep seeing people say DSJ and Doncic don't work, so I just assume I see the few games where those two actually look solid together. I like that duo.

The whole team looks a bit more coherent after that b**** move by DAJ. I bet Dirk had to intervene.

[Clyde Frazier]

Read on Twitter

Yeah… this isn’t cool. Not the first time he’s made dumb comments when it comes to international guys and their backgrounds.

[Johnny Firpo]

I am surprised he is more NBA ready than Musa. I liked Musa a lot.

Me too, and I'm a little annoyed that he hasn't got any chance so far. He played like four minutes in one game, I think he should get more playing time than that, his game should translate fairly well in my opinion.

[HeadtopChunes]

JJJ looks like he can be special. Marc should be a great mentor. Legit DPOY potential and now he showing he can get buckets too?

[nikster]

He gets so much separation on it, it's crazy. And yes, he is very efficient on the low post, his back to the basket game is something he can build on already. Such a diverse scoring/playmaking package for a 19-year-old.

I think it’s kinda funny all the emphasis in the draft on athleticism with the assumption that skill just comes along. People see Aytons size and are just impressed that he has a jumper and soft touch, they either ignore his lack of skill in the rest of his game or just assume that the skill will develop. Totally take for granted how difficult and rare for it is for a player coming into the NBA with a limited skill set to develop a complete offensive game. Most scorers in the league will never have the complete skills let Doncic already has. (not saying Ayton can’t develop his weaknesses but the odds are not in his favour)

[nikster]

Read on Twitter

Yeah… this isn’t cool. Not the first time he’s made dumb comments when it comes to international guys and their backgrounds.

I feel like this is especially bad for Doncic because he got a ton of hype from his play for Slovenia alongside dragic in Eurocup.

[KingDavid]

Luka so clutch again. Big 3, hits his FTs, rebounds, assists Junior on last play. Meanwhile Ayton is leading his team right to the very bottom...

There's no need for this. Luka is my favorite rookie but he's playing with a lot of vets. Same thing with JJJ. I think Ayton would flourish on a decent team.