Luka Doncic

[Nathan S]

I'm not sold on Trae ever being an All-Star

Agree that he's unlikely to ever be more than a +1/+2 net kind of guy, but this is the East we're talking about...DeAngelo Russell is an All-Star this year

 

[cavsfever]

and while he isn't LUKA... I don't think the Hawks exactly lost out either. Trae is way better than I thought he would be in the NBA

But still. Damn. Luka is definitely going to be talked about as the years go on.

A small PG who can't defend has got to be a GREAT shooter in order to be a significant plus for his team. Trae is shooting just 31% this year, both Curry and Nash were 40%+ three point shooters from the word go in the NBA.

 

[Ethan]

When drafted Nash was 22 and Curry was 21. Trae was 19.
He has 2-3 years to catch up but I think he's too small.
Even if he's good..he'd get abused in the playoffs.
First Year Curry 43%, Nash 41%, Trae 31%

Luka being 19 is what blows my mind.
But even he is shooting just under 35% from 3.

I feel like the young guys will learn to pick their spots better but as rookies they are just slinging it.

 

[cavsfever]

Yeah, but Luka is shooting about 35% on 7 (!) three point attempts per game, more than Trae Young (5.5 attempts) or Steph Curry in his first year (4.8 attempts). Luka's not a 40% three point shooter (yet) but shooting as well as he is on that kind of volume with that kind of attention from the defense is very impressive in your rookie year.

 

[Nathan S]

Yeah, but Luka is shooting about 35% on 7 (!) three point attempts per game, more than Trae Young (5.5 attempts) or Steph Curry in his first year (4.8 attempts). Luka's not a 40% three point shooter (yet) but shooting as well as he is on that kind of volume with that kind of attention from the defense is very impressive in your rookie year.

He's also one of the few guys who happily launches from beyond halfcourt at the ends of quarters. According to basketball-reference, he leads the NBA with 25 time-expiring three point attempts, of which he's made just 3. Hurts his percentage, but occasionally it's worth it...

 

[Photon]

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

That kid just absolutely loves playing basketball.

 

[cavsfever]

Saw Doncic tonite vs Indiana which is a good team.

Dude is having a better 19 year old rookie season than Lebron did. Pretty clearly so. Got to be in the competition for best 19 year old rookie season of all time

Of course he is also much closer to his ceiling than Lebron was at 19 — he is coming in with a lot more high level basketball experience and doesn’t have unlimited athletic upside. But still.

 

[cavsfever]

Actually, looking it up, Lebron was almost a year younger than Luka in his first season. Lebron's first NBA game was October 29th, 2003, and his birthday is December 30, 2004, so he was 18 years and 10 months entering the NBA.

Luka's birthday is February 28, 1999 so he was 19 years and 8 months old in his first NBA game in late October 2019.

Lebron's sophomore year, which he started at 19 years old, was pretty insane all-NBA level shit. His first 27-7-7 year. back when points were harder to come by than today.

yes I'm a nerd.

 

[Nathan S]

Per-40 stats as teenagers:

LeBron - 21.9 points, 5.9 boards, 6.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, 3.4 turnovers, 51% true shooting

Luka - 26.0 points, 9.0 boards, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks, 4.2 turnovers, 56% true shooting

Kyrie - 24.3 points, 4.9 boards, 7.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks, 4.0 turnovers, 57% true shooting

 

[Jstock12]

Per-40 stats as teenagers:

LeBron - 21.9 points, 5.9 boards, 6.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, 3.4 turnovers, 51% true shooting

Luka - 26.0 points, 9.0 boards, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks, 4.2 turnovers, 56% true shooting

Kyrie - 24.3 points, 4.9 boards, 7.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks, 4.0 turnovers, 57% true shooting

Impressive.

To play the devil's advocate, Luka couldn't ask for a basketball era more suited to his game/skillset. It really is a perfect time for offensive superstars who aren't too good on the defensive end. LeBron on the other hand, could be a superstar in any era, I guess that's why he's in the conversation for the GOAT.

 

[Nathan S]

Impressive.

To play the devil's advocate, Luka couldn't ask for a basketball era more suited to his game/skillset. It really is a perfect time for offensive superstars who aren't too good on the defensive end. LeBron on the other hand, could be a superstar in any era, I guess that's why he's in the conversation for the GOAT.

Eh...I don't think I agree. Luka would've been a monster on offense in any era. But on the other hand, it'll be extremely difficult for him to ever approach LeBron's all-around impact if he doesn't make major strides on defense.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I hope we re-sign Nwaba, but if not, he'd be a fantastic guy for Dallas to get. Relatively cheap, but does all the dirty work.

 

[Lee]

I hope we re-sign Nwaba, but if not, he'd be a fantastic guy for Dallas to get. Relatively cheap, but does all the dirty work.

So that's it? We all become Dallas fans too while the Cavs suck for a few years? Because i think I am on board with that, lol

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

So that's it? We all become Dallas fans too while the Cavs suck for a few years? Because i think I am on board with that, lol

He's just fun to watch, and I think he and Porzingas will mesh really well. I'm also pulling for Milwaukee out of the east because of the Greeg Freak.

Better than seeing the same retread players and franchises we've been watching for the last half-decade or so....