Luka Doncic

[Goon]

Always makes me laugh when I see people thinking that athleticism is only quickness and vertical, like hand-eye coordination, strength, fitness, agility, etc, and to also consider all of it in correlation to the player's height and weight. Just for the record, I'm not saying Doncic has elite athleticism, but he definitely is way above average.

Btw Mirotic when you said that Doncic is putting up numbers you expected, that is a complete lie. You were saying on this forum that he is only getting so many minutes because of injuries and the fact that Draper is terrible, and that once Maciulis comes back, he'll ride the bench. You were in fact quite off with your prediction.

[jrob23]

Some of the hyperbole here needs to be pointed out, because people that don't watch EuroLeague might actually believe it's true, even though it clearly isn't.

Or maybe we could let them build their own opinion based on what they see with their own eyes.

but that's what I did and I get mocked for not buying into him being an NBA athlete at current height/size so...

[jrob23]

Watch on YouTube

I watch these videos and pay extra attention to the absolute scrubs defending him. He'll be facing Jimmy Butler, Tony Allen, Otto Porter and the Lebrons of the league at the next level. He isn't getting set shots from three off, he isn't going to be able to put the ball on the floor and create his shot like he's showing in videos like this. At least not for awhile. Now if he's 6' 10" with that skill he'll be able to be a special stretch 4. If he stays 6'7" he'll need a few years to get used to the speed of the NBA and rework his body with lifting and conditioning. He'll need to gain some explosion and if he does, then his athleticism will match his skill level and he can be special.

[jrob23]

Always makes me laugh when I see people thinking that athleticism is only quickness and vertical, like hand-eye coordination, strength, fitness, agility, etc, and to also consider all of it in correlation to the player's height and weight. Just for the record, I'm not saying Doncic has elite athleticism, but he definitely is way above average.

Btw Mirotic when you said that Doncic is putting up numbers you expected, that is a complete lie. You were saying on this forum that he is only getting so many minutes because of injuries and the fact that Draper is terrible, and that once Maciulis comes back, he'll ride the bench. You were in fact quite off with your prediction.

Is that what people are doing? Or is that what you want to believe what people are doing. I can only speak for myself but core strength, body control, lateral quickness, hand eye, vertical, BMI, tensile strength and a whole myriad of attributes in relation to height/size make up athleticism. I'm fairly certain that's who everyone thinks when it comes to judging it. Maybe they just disagree with you, even using the same parameters?

[Goon]

Always makes me laugh when I see people thinking that athleticism is only quickness and vertical, like hand-eye coordination, strength, fitness, agility, etc, and to also consider all of it in correlation to the player's height and weight. Just for the record, I'm not saying Doncic has elite athleticism, but he definitely is way above average.

Btw Mirotic when you said that Doncic is putting up numbers you expected, that is a complete lie. You were saying on this forum that he is only getting so many minutes because of injuries and the fact that Draper is terrible, and that once Maciulis comes back, he'll ride the bench. You were in fact quite off with your prediction.

Is that what people are doing? Or is that what you want to believe what people are doing. I can only speak for myself but core strength, body control, lateral quickness, hand eye, vertical, BMI, tensile strength and a whole myriad of attributes in relation to height/size make up athleticism. I'm fairly certain that's who everyone thinks when it comes to judging it. Maybe they just disagree with you, even using the same parameters?

Yeah not quite. And I was talking more in general as I often get the feeling when reading through other boards as well.

I even added "Just for the record, I'm not saying Doncic has elite athleticism," maybe you missed it so I pointed it out again just for you. Makes it rather clear I wasn't saying it just to disagree with opinions, but yeah let's ignore that part right. Smh.

[Mirotic12]

Btw Mirotic when you said that Doncic is putting up numbers you expected, that is a complete lie. You were saying on this forum that he is only getting so many minutes because of injuries and the fact that Draper is terrible, and that once Maciulis comes back, he'll ride the bench. You were in fact quite off with your prediction.

That's not at all what I said or meant and if you interpreted it that way, you interpreted what I wrote incorrectly. I said he would get playing time, and could have decent numbers, due to that team around him and the system. Maciulis and his playing time were only connected if they signed another point guard besides Draper, which they did not.

Or maybe we could let them build their own opinion based on what they see with their own eyes.

It's false that Luka Doncic and Ricky Rubio were/are more athletic than any other players in EuroLeague. That's a purely false and untrue claim and statement. I will point out here if someone says something that's clearly just not correct or true.

They are solid athletes by any standard, but no way in the world can they ever be even mentioned among the best athletes in Europe (from a pure athletic perspective).

Always makes me laugh when I see people thinking that athleticism is only quickness and vertical, like hand-eye coordination, strength, fitness, agility, etc, and to also consider all of it in correlation to the player's height and weight. Just for the record, I'm not saying Doncic has elite athleticism, but he definitely is way above average.

If you are referencing me (if not, disregard this post), I didn't even comment on Doncic's athleticism one way or the other. He's a more than solid athlete, but the claim was him and Rubio (another solid athlete) were unlike anything ever seen in another player athletically in EuroLeague.

I am sorry, but that's actually in the realm of being ludicrous. I wasn't commenting on Doncic and whether he is athletic, it was the he's one of the 2 most athletic ever seen in EuroLeague, which was also way off with Rubio, who is probably even less athletic than Doncic is - it was that comment that I was responding to.

[Sports Geek]

He's a more than solid athlete, but the claim was him and Rubio (another solid athlete) were unlike anything ever seen in another player athletically in EuroLeague.

I think there is a misunderstanding. De Colo said he had never seen something like that in Europe at such a young age, that he was much worse back then. He meant in general, not only athleticism. He said maybe Ricky Rubio was at a similar level, but De Colo highlighted more Rubio's creativity and Doncic's athleticism.

And obviously he is right. I mean, numbers don't lie. Not any other 17 y.o. player has ever put up those numbers. Doncic is destroying Rubio's records. And it is even more valuable when you play for a "championship" team.

[Sports Geek]

Watch on YouTube

I watch these videos and pay extra attention to the absolute scrubs defending him. He'll be facing Jimmy Butler, Tony Allen, Otto Porter and the Lebrons of the league at the next level. He isn't getting set shots from three off, he isn't going to be able to put the ball on the floor and create his shot like he's showing in videos like this. At least not for awhile. Now if he's 6' 10" with that skill he'll be able to be a special stretch 4. If he stays 6'7" he'll need a few years to get used to the speed of the NBA and rework his body with lifting and conditioning. He'll need to gain some explosion and if he does, then his athleticism will match his skill level and he can be special.

Again, he is a PG. Even when Llull or Draper are on the court, Doncic is the PG. He will face Rajon Rondos, not Jimmy Butlers. And if he is defended by Jimmy Butler, he will be smart enough to find his SG or SF being defended by Rondo. But still, let's allow him to become a man and be 20 something. Then we'll see if Butler is a problem or not. BTW, Jimmy Butler was nothing special when he got to the league, just a great defender. Imagine him at 17. Now he is a superstar.

[UcanUwill]

Doncic is destroying Rubio's records, but that doesn't mean he is better than Rubio. Rubio was exceptional talent, better than Doncic IMO for sure, his impact was always beyond the stat sheet.

[Sports Geek]

Doncic is destroying Rubio's records, but that doesn't mean he is better than Rubio. Rubio was exceptional talent, better than Doncic IMO for sure, his impact was always beyond the stat sheet.

I used to be a huge Rubio's fan. As in Doncic case, I followed him since he was 14-15 in juniors championships. And he was so amazing... I am super disappointed about him being unable to improve his shooting motion. He could have been a superstar...

And comparing these two young talents... OK, they are PGs. They were super young when they started competing at top FIBA level. But in the end it is like comparing an elephant and a whale. They are huge mammals, but so different...

I agree about Rubio's impact to the game. High energy PG, awesome defender for his age, super fast, super long arms, great passer and ball handler, high basketball IQ, super fast hands and reactions,...

Doncic seems to be more an all around player. Great rebounder, shooter, passer, he can defend bigs, super high IQ too, super mature (I think he is way over Rubio in that aspect, he could be more flashy, but leaves that aside to make the less mistakes possible), he is not afraid of contact (he is super tough) or of taking resposibilities,...

As I said, I used to love both. But it is like comparing Stockton and Magic. Both could give you a lot of things but in completely different ways.

[UcanUwill]

Doncic is destroying Rubio's records, but that doesn't mean he is better than Rubio. Rubio was exceptional talent, better than Doncic IMO for sure, his impact was always beyond the stat sheet.

I used to be a huge Rubio's fan. As in Doncic case, I followed him since he was 14-15 in juniors championships. And he was so amazing... I am super disappointed about him being unable to improve his shooting motion. He could have been a superstar...

And comparing these two young talents... OK, they are PGs. They were super young when they started competing at top FIBA level. But in the end it is like comparing an elephant and a whale. They are huge mammals, but so different...

I agree about Rubio's impact to the game. High energy PG, awesome defender for his age, super fast, super long arms, great passer and ball handler, high basketball IQ, super fast hands and reactions,...

Doncic seems to be more an all around player. Great rebounder, shooter, passer, he can defend bigs, super high IQ too, super mature (I think he is way over Rubio in that aspect, he could be more flashy, but leaves that aside to make the less mistakes possible), he is not afraid of contact (he is super though) or of taking resposibilities,...

As I said, I used to love both. But it is like comparing Stockton and Magic. Both could give you a lot of things but in completely different ways.

I feel the exact same way about Rubio. He used to be my favorite player, but its like he peaked at 17 years old, really. His feel for the game was so insane at that age, he truly looked like potential superstar, once in a decade talent. And his quickness and footwork was at elite level.
Doncic just like Rubio is super mature and advanced for his age, but I don't see that potential that Rubio had. Rubio really had elite skills, with his D and vision. Doncic looks like he can do more maybe, but nothing at elite level. It's definitely too easy to write a ceiling for this guy, but I don't see star potential just yet. But if that handle and jump shot keeps improving, he can be great, definitely far ahead of the curve for the 17 year old.

[reanimator]

Just don't see Doncic playing PG in the NBA.

[kayath]

Why it is so hard imagine that his best position is PG. He is already surpassing Lull in that making his teammates better and finding them spots for easy baskets. Just because you think he is too slow to guard Pgs? He can guard SG without problems and even PG. Sure he is still raw, in some defensive responsibilities while he is 17. Toughness will come when he bulks up same thing with speed.

[reanimator]

You really think he can guard NBA starter PGs? C'mon. I think he will be a decent defender guarding 3/4s if he adds strength but he is no Lebron or Giannis.

[UcanUwill]

You really think he can guard NBA starter PGs? C'mon. I think he will be a decent defender guarding 3/4s if he adds strength but he is no Lebron or Giannis.

Doesn't have to guard elite PGs. Tall enough for coach to make defensive switches.

[kayath]

What? Why he would need to be lebron to defend that makes little sense my friend. Right now he might be below average defender or even bad one for nba standards which I don't think he is. There were/are several much worse defenders likes Steve Nash, Harden, Irving, etc and they are doing just fine.

[reanimator]

You really think he can guard NBA starter PGs? C'mon. I think he will be a decent defender guarding 3/4s if he adds strength but he is no Lebron or Giannis.

Doesn't have to guard elite PGs. Tall enough for coach to make defensive switches.

There are no starter PGs he can adequately guard IMO and you'd have to assume the roster is constructed well for what you suggest.

[reanimator]

What? Why he would need to be lebron to defend that makes little sense my friend. Right now he might be below average defender or even bad one for nba standards which I don't think he is. There were/are several much worse defenders likes Steve Nash, Harden, Irving, etc and they are doing just fine.

You list prolific offensive players. Maybe Doncic gets there but I am doubtful. And I am hopeful that Doncic can guard forwards and isn't a total non-factor like the aforementioned so why wouldn't a coach allow him to defend his natural position?

[UcanUwill]

You really think he can guard NBA starter PGs? C'mon. I think he will be a decent defender guarding 3/4s if he adds strength but he is no Lebron or Giannis.

Doesn't have to guard elite PGs. Tall enough for coach to make defensive switches.

There are no starter PGs he can adequately guard IMO and you'd have to assume the roster is constructed well for what you suggest.

Jose Calderon made a career, I dont see why Doncic couldn't. And defensive switches and hides by coaches are very common. It's far worse when your bad defender (which I am not even sure Doncic is) is 6'2 rather than 6'8.

[Goon]

Btw Mirotic when you said that Doncic is putting up numbers you expected, that is a complete lie. You were saying on this forum that he is only getting so many minutes because of injuries and the fact that Draper is terrible, and that once Maciulis comes back, he'll ride the bench. You were in fact quite off with your prediction.

That's not at all what I said or meant and if you interpreted it that way, you interpreted what I wrote incorrectly. I said he would get playing time, and could have decent numbers, due to that team around him and the system. Maciulis and his playing time were only connected if they signed another point guard besides Draper, which they did not.

Always makes me laugh when I see people thinking that athleticism is only quickness and vertical, like hand-eye coordination, strength, fitness, agility, etc, and to also consider all of it in correlation to the player's height and weight. Just for the record, I'm not saying Doncic has elite athleticism, but he definitely is way above average.

If you are referencing me (if not, disregard this post), I didn't even comment on Doncic's athleticism one way or the other. He's a more than solid athlete, but the claim was him and Rubio (another solid athlete) were unlike anything ever seen in another player athletically in EuroLeague.

I am sorry, but that's actually in the realm of being ludicrous. I wasn't commenting on Doncic and whether he is athletic, it was the he's one of the 2 most athletic ever seen in EuroLeague, which was also way off with Rubio, who is probably even less athletic than Doncic is - it was that comment that I was responding to.

In that case, I take it back. Guess I remembered it incorrectly for which I apologize.

As for the 2nd part, I was talking in general, wasn't directed at you and it was strongly influenced by what I read in other threads, especially the general discussion.