You know, the thing about Luka is... he really reminds me of the starting PG version of James Harden we've seen since D'Antoni took over in Houston. He doesn't play fast but he's so in control of the ball and where he's trying to go and where his teammates are that he doesn't need to play fast. And looking at what James Harden is doing to the league this year, well it makes me question whether "he's just a scorer" is a valid criticism any more. Does Houston care all that much if James is taking it easy on defense when he's dominating games like that? I seriously doubt it. My preference in the draft has been for two-way players or dominant bigs but it's become impossible to ignore the way the league is currently being dominated by guards and wings who are capable of creating off the bounce. And isn't a complete offensive wrecking machine like James Harden more valuable than a guy who's going to be above-average on both ends but isn't ever going to lead a team? I don't know really. It's an open question. In the past I've always preached defense-first and balanced scoring loads instead of superstars but James Harden and Steph Curry have forced me to question everything I thought I knew about basketball.
What I'm trying to say is that it would be a hard choice for me right now between Luka and DeAndre at the top of the draft. There are strong arguments to be made for both of them. And when you're looking at a generational kind of talent, the whole concept of "best fit" goes right out the window. I've vacillated a bit on putting Doncic at #1 because of the whole "white guys can't play defense bias" -- just being honest -- but I think Harden has finally broken me down. We all mocked him for his complete lack of defensive intensity but it looks like he's got the last laugh. I still don't quite get how he does it, but I'm trying to understand. If you have the size, ball skills, vision, toughness, and competitive edge to score 30 a game and account for another 20 or so points in assisted baskets, what else is there to say? That is the game of basketball.
Enough about Harden though. Doncic is legit. If you could buy stock in a prospect I'd be all in. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do in the NBA next year, whichever team he ends up on.