Around the League: 2020 Offseason

[the_process]

Watch on YouTube

One good game doesn't repair the 10 cent head that kid has on his shoulders.

[Kobblehead]

Luka is good. But i just cant see him being the league’s best player. I still find that the league’s best player should be a mix between having freakish tools and elite skillset, this allows you to have the edge with the 99 percentile. Elite skillset without freakish length still allows guys like Kawhi or Ben to be able to slow you down with your skillset not being able to provide separation. Sort of an example is Zach Lavine, because he doesnt have freakish length a guy like Thybulle can blanket him on defense.

And this is what separates guys like LBJ, Giannis, KD and Biid from the rest.

In Luka's case, that's more youth than anything IMO. Guys that have been able to slow him down at age 20, 21 and 22 will be his food within three years.

Take Devin Booker (even smaller and less athletic than Luka) for example. At age 24, he's eating Ben Simmons' soul in one on one matchups.

Luka is the literal GOAT. He will be indefensible, regardless of physical traits, by the time his mid-to-late 20s roll around. If the Mavs find a way to get him a co-star, they're going on a dynasty run.

[76ciology]

First time in history that 5 guys recorded a triple double in a single day.

Inflated stats.

[76ciology]

Luka is good. But i just cant see him being the league’s best player. I still find that the league’s best player should be a mix between having freakish tools and elite skillset, this allows you to have the edge with the 99 percentile. Elite skillset without freakish length still allows guys like Kawhi or Ben to be able to slow you down with your skillset not being able to provide separation. Sort of an example is Zach Lavine, because he doesnt have freakish length a guy like Thybulle can blanket him on defense.

And this is what separates guys like LBJ, Giannis, KD and Biid from the rest.

In Luka's case, that's more youth than anything IMO. Guys that have been able to slow him down at age 20, 21 and 22 will be his food within three years.

Take Devin Booker (even smaller and less athletic than Luka) for example. At age 24, he's eating Ben Simmons' soul in one on one matchups.

Luka is the literal GOAT. He will be indefensible, regardless of physical traits, by the time his mid-to-late 20s roll around. If the Mavs find a way to get him a co-star, they're going on a dynasty run.

Maybe.
You also have to factor in that he will slow down as he ages.

Right now, their current roster is being built to maximize him. Think about this, let’s say he’s playing with a 6’ sized PG and a 6’6” size SG. Like Ben’s role right now. This takes away his size advantage with wings defending him. This explains why they were willing to sacrifice Seth for JRich.

Mavs is pretty much doing what we tried to do last season. By constructing a roster that would create a mismatch. We saw how last seasons roster created a lot of mismatch opportunities for Ben, while having bigs who can space the floor. You can also see the Bucks or Raps doing the same thing with Siakam or Giannis.

That said, in a playoff setting, you can put your wing on Doncic. Then let Jrich or their other guys win the game for them. If doncic tries to force his way, then let him be. Dont send help defense and let him try to win the game singlehandedly against your very good defensive 6’8” or longer wing.

That Clips series was a eye opener to them. Doncic (and Seth) just got the hot hand but if you play that series with a larger sample size, he is bound to get exposed by Kawhi. This is again why they have to move on from Seth and try to have a bigger guard, whereas their goal is to build a roster that would prevent a wing defending Doncic.

Im not shooting Doncic down. I also like the kid and was like a crazy guy in the Suns board back then telling them to NOT draft ayton (after what I saw from Jah) and to instead draft Doncic.

But I think Doncic’s flaws would prevent him to be a GOAT. For a player to be GOAT, you have to need to have a mix of freakish tools and elite skillset like MJ, LeBron, maybe KD, maybe Giannis or maybe Biid. This allows you to be able to dominate 99%-100% of the players in the league. Which I dont see with Doncic, he will struggle against the elite defensive wings in the league that has a mix of length and athleticism. And it’s not just Ben or Kawhi, maybe a guy like Derrick Jones Jr or Aaron Gordon can also slow him down.

And this is also why a guy like Steph (one of my favorite players) can’t get into that list no matter how hard he tries. And this is why Warriors have to trade for KD and why it’s rare for a PG to lead a team to a championship. It’s because PG’s rarely has freakish length and elite skillset unlike wings or bigs, who are most frequently the best players of championship teams. Because they can always shine on 99% to 100% of the match-ups.

This is luka’s latest game. Watch how it’s Jamal Murray who’s defending him most of the game.

Spoiler:

https://youtu.be/nF6DiqO2qXE

[sixers4real]

Luka is good. But i just cant see him being the league’s best player. I still find that the league’s best player should be a mix between having freakish tools and elite skillset, this allows you to have the edge with the 99 percentile. Elite skillset without freakish length still allows guys like Kawhi or Ben to be able to slow you down with your skillset not being able to provide separation. Sort of an example is Zach Lavine, because he doesnt have freakish length a guy like Thybulle can blanket him on defense.

And this is what separates guys like LBJ, Giannis, KD and Biid from the rest.

In Luka's case, that's more youth than anything IMO. Guys that have been able to slow him down at age 20, 21 and 22 will be his food within three years.

Take Devin Booker (even smaller and less athletic than Luka) for example. At age 24, he's eating Ben Simmons' soul in one on one matchups.

Luka is the literal GOAT. He will be indefensible, regardless of physical traits, by the time his mid-to-late 20s roll around. If the Mavs find a way to get him a co-star, they're going on a dynasty run.

I completely disagree with that. I don't see Luka as a FMPV player

[DCasey91]

Luka is scary now, his prime is ages away

He’s definitely a FMVP/ perennial MVP candidate.

Won’t surprise at all if he averages 29/9/9 statlines in WF/Finals he’s that good.

His ceiling is a slightly shorter less heavy Lebron without the freakish athleticism but a better ballhandler/special type moves because of he doesn’t have otherworldly athleticism

His body hasn’t full filled out yet. 6 7” 6”8 proverbial tank in 2 years is filthy. He’s filthy now
basically Bigger Harden 2.0.

I though he would be the goat when I first watched his fiba games as a kid being easily the classiest player on the court including all stars Dragic/Porzingis was more impressive with that than his Euroleague accomplishments. Class above then


Then I had to temper the expectations because of his athletic profile

Top 20 all time floor, top 10 all time ceiling is some kind of player.


In three years he’ll only be 25 far out lol.

[zaz102]

I didn't realize how strong Miami is coming on. 9-1 in their last 10 and up to the 4th seed.

[Stanford]

I didn't realize how strong Miami is coming on. 9-1 in their last 10 and up to the 4th seed.

Great news. Means we won't lose to them until the second round.

[Kobblehead]

Luka was outright better than Kawhi in the Mavs/Clippers series. By the time he's 25+, it's a wrap.

[Kobblehead]

Right now, their current roster is being built to maximize him. Think about this, let’s say he’s playing with a 6’ sized PG and a 6’6” size SG. Like Ben’s role right now. This takes away his size advantage with wings defending him. This explains why they were willing to sacrifice Seth for JRich.

Honestly, I think their current roster is being built for him to demand a trade outta there. There's little to no talent on that team.

Outside of Luka, who are the guys that can go on the ball and score? Jalen Brunson and that's pretty much it.

Trey Burke is a journeyman and Tyrell Terry is unestablished.

[Sixerscan]

Luka was outright better than Kawhi in the Mavs/Clippers series. By the time he's 25+, it's a wrap.

Kawhi was sleepwalking in that series. No one takes Dallas seriously because of their defense and doncic is part of the problem there.

[Kobblehead]

Dallas misfired on the Porzingis acquisition and extension. He's been a trainwreck in the lockerroom and they found out that stretch bigs that can't move laterally on defense or pass the ball don't have a big impact on the court, either.

[Sixerscan]

Dallas misfired on the Porzingis acquisition and extension. He's been a trainwreck in the lockerroom and they found out that stretch bigs that can't move laterally on defense or pass the ball don't have a big impact on the court, either.

Sure but my point is that he’s never getting to the MJ or Lebron or even peak Durant level because he’s a limited defensive player. His peak is more steph or harden. Which is a very very good player because of how they call the game now and how teams understand how valuable his sort of offensive skill set is but a step below the highest tier.

[Kobblehead]

Already better and more talented than anyone his age through NBA history.

His status alltime will be determined by his postseason hardware. There's no imaginary ceiling on him right now that will prevent him from being the GOAT.

[Sixerscan]

Already better and more talented than anyone his age through NBA history.

His status alltime will be determined by his postseason hardware. There's no imaginary ceiling on him right now that will prevent him from being the GOAT.

When Lebron was his age he made the finals with Boobie Gibson as his second leading scorer in the ECF.

He’s not more talented he’s just playing in an era where teams design offenses around constantly utilizing his skill set. Rick Carlisle calling 90 pick and rolls for him and being cool with him taking shots that would get you benched 30 years ago doesn’t make him a more talented player. Like if Tim Hardaway (Sr.) played in this era and was the guy on a random team ran like that he would probably average over 30 a night.

It’s impressive what luka has done at the age he has but for most of league history teams just didn’t turn their teams over to young guys like they do now. Like the Bulls did it with MJ and it was super unique to the point that it sort of pissed off the rest of the league leading to him getting frozen out at the all star game. Now Trae Young averages 28 a night. It’s a different time.

[76ciology]

Luka is probably in the spectrum between Joe Johnson and James Harden. Still a very very good player. But i just cant see him being a GOAT material.

Wont be better than how Embiid is playing right now.

[Kobblehead]

You think Giannis can be a potential goat because of physical traits yet he can't even score a bucket in the halfcourt in the playoffs yet Luka (best shotcreator of alltime) can't be the GOAT because he has average athleticism?

[Sixerscan]

I wouldn't put Giannis in that tier either, would probably have to fix his shot. Recently it's been Lebron, Durant pre-injury, Kawhi sometimes.

[LloydFree]

Already better and more talented than anyone his age through NBA history.

His status alltime will be determined by his postseason hardware. There's no imaginary ceiling on him right now that will prevent him from being the GOAT.

When Lebron was his age he made the finals with Boobie Gibson as his second leading scorer in the ECF.

Spoiler:

He’s not more talented he’s just playing in an era where teams design offenses around constantly utilizing his skill set. Rick Carlisle calling 90 pick and rolls for him and being cool with him taking shots that would get you benched 30 years ago doesn’t make him a more talented player. Like if Tim Hardaway (Sr.) played in this era and was the guy on a random team ran like that he would probably average over 30 a night.

It’s impressive what luka has done at the age he has but for most of league history teams just didn’t turn their teams over to young guys like they do now. Like the Bulls did it with MJ and it was super unique to the point that it sort of pissed off the rest of the league leading to him getting frozen out at the all star game. Now Trae Young averages 28 a night. It’s a different time.

This.

Luka's supporting cast in Dallas is better than anything Lebron James had between 2003-2007, yet Lebron James took down the mighty champion Pistons by himself in the playoffs. While the GOAT, Luka, hasn't won a playoff series, and won't win one this year either.

[Sixerscan]

The 2007 Cavs' starting front court was Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. They went a combined 1-7 for three *over the entire season*.

Porzingis by himself averaged 7.1 three attempts per *game* last year.

Again, Doncic is very good, but he's undoubtably benefiting from playing the era that is perfect for his game. Teams having to cover Porzingis and Kleber and so on 30 feet from the basket makes it easier for him to create shots but doesn't make him a more talented player.