Luka Doncic (pre and post-draft discussion thread)
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Come on what? You had Steph Curry, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook as eventual MVPs coming out of college? Is Doncic going to do that in his first season? No. In his prime? Why not? Do you have a compelling reason why he couldn't be an MVP in his prime? The way they're calling touch fouls in the NBA right now you don't need to be able to finish at the basket, just put enough pressure on the defense to produce contact.
I think most people had him as a top 5 player in that draft at the time but it also wasn't one of the strongest drafts ever.To nobody in particular, since we're talking about D'Angelo Russell now... how about another guard from that draft: Devin Booker. Can anyone here explain how he had a 70 point game in just his second season and is already talked about as one of the best young scorers in the league? Nbadraft.net compared him to Gordon Hayward of all people. In fact, let's go over their scouting report from 2015:
I'm not particularly fond of their scouting reports, but I like that website because it's clearly formatted and easy to reference. It also presents a broad overview of what the consensus views were at the time. If you go through everything they had to say about Booker coming out of his one year at Kentucky, this could also read as a scouting report for Doncic. I thought Booker was seriously underrated coming out of college but I also didn't see him averaging 25 points per game in just his third season. I've learned not to underestimate the importance of fundamental skills and smart decision making over freakish length or athleticism. The "all-upside" crew are wrong almost every year about these top prospects.
I'm not particularly fond of their scouting reports, but I like that website because it's clearly formatted and easy to reference. It also presents a broad overview of what the consensus views were at the time. If you go through everything they had to say about Booker coming out of his one year at Kentucky, this could also read as a scouting report for Doncic. I thought Booker was seriously underrated coming out of college but I also didn't see him averaging 25 points per game in just his third season. I've learned not to underestimate the importance of fundamental skills and smart decision making over freakish length or athleticism. The "all-upside" crew are wrong almost every year about these top prospects.
I agree but the bolded part is especially important.
Part of what I like about Doncic and Bagley is that they play with intensity. They show up. Doncic has every reason to float through a game or two after the amount of basketball he's played the last couple years as a teenager. But he doesn't. He doesn't always play well, but he always plays hard.
It's almost a compliment to Luka that he's been so successful by age 19 that his ability to develop further is being questioned. But I don't really worry too much about him adjusting to the NBA. He's always played with older kids and then with grown men and succeeded. He's adaptable. I love that when he faced Porzingis in the Slovenia/Latvia game he went right at him. He posted up a (soon-to-be) 7'3" All-Star and hit a hook shot over him and then later went right to the basket and scored a layup off the glass on him. He sees a challenge and finds a way to succeed. Just like laying an egg in the Eurobasket Final Four last year only to come back and win and be MVP this year.
So yeah, I think he'll get hounded by more athletic defenders in the NBA. I think he'll have his dribble stripped too often and have a bit more of a struggle to get his shot off the dribble. But I think he'll figure things out and be fine.
Part of what I like about Doncic and Bagley is that they play with intensity. They show up. Doncic has every reason to float through a game or two after the amount of basketball he's played the last couple years as a teenager. But he doesn't. He doesn't always play well, but he always plays hard.
It's almost a compliment to Luka that he's been so successful by age 19 that his ability to develop further is being questioned. But I don't really worry too much about him adjusting to the NBA. He's always played with older kids and then with grown men and succeeded. He's adaptable. I love that when he faced Porzingis in the Slovenia/Latvia game he went right at him. He posted up a (soon-to-be) 7'3" All-Star and hit a hook shot over him and then later went right to the basket and scored a layup off the glass on him. He sees a challenge and finds a way to succeed. Just like laying an egg in the Eurobasket Final Four last year only to come back and win and be MVP this year.
So yeah, I think he'll get hounded by more athletic defenders in the NBA. I think he'll have his dribble stripped too often and have a bit more of a struggle to get his shot off the dribble. But I think he'll figure things out and be fine.
I want some fire. Since Cuz left its been all kumbaya and marshmallows at the campfire. I don't care about being liked and hugs after the game. I want some surly attitudes
I think that's what I liked best about PapaG. He was a jerk who wasn't afraid to kill someone with a screen. More of that please.
I think that's what I liked best about PapaG. He was a jerk who wasn't afraid to kill someone with a screen. More of that please.
It doesn't say they're not taking Luka. It just says they're taking long looks at Bagley and Porter Jr.
Taking long looks at, considering, not ruling out, etc. All standard verbiage for this time of year. I wonder (but am to lazy to check) if Amick's comments were before or after Porter cancelled his Chicago workout.
Taking long looks at, considering, not ruling out, etc. All standard verbiage for this time of year. I wonder (but am to lazy to check) if Amick's comments were before or after Porter cancelled his Chicago workout.
As a Latvian I can say Kurucs will be a failure in the NBA, even if he has a chance to make it, after under 16 European championship I thought he would become another top star for team Latvia, but after dissapointing years in Barcelona system, injury after injury and his agent blunders which happened last year... I ain't seeing him succeding in pro basketball, only thing I like... is his shot release which looks like Klay Thompson's from behind.
Kurucs is one of the most hated young bball players in Latvia amongst fans and people who are close to basketball, and his agent doesn't make it easier for him either, because he is the MOST hated person in Latvia who are close to basketball, nobody likes him here.
I might say his younger brother has more talent than him... damn this makes me realise how little ago he was rated a lottery pick in mock drafts.
Kurucs is one of the most hated young bball players in Latvia amongst fans and people who are close to basketball, and his agent doesn't make it easier for him either, because he is the MOST hated person in Latvia who are close to basketball, nobody likes him here.
I might say his younger brother has more talent than him... damn this makes me realise how little ago he was rated a lottery pick in mock drafts.
Last night was watching the finals game 1 live on tv, have to say few things.
Not the best finisher in the traffic, but when he will get stronger those concerns are gone for me.
Only real concern from me is not his defense or athletic ability, but his emotional burst what can happen when the game is not going well, last night he had a rough first half, and he was upset at not making baskets and had a little bit of an altercation with the guy he guarded and he was guarded most of the game, really athletic 6'7, 230lbs forward Timma (drafted 2011 by Grizzlies then his rights were traded to Magic).
They both had bad blood since quaterfinals in the last years Eurobasket, it's gonna be a fun matchup to watch.
To me if Doncic can keep his cool and don't whine or even distract himself from the game... in the live play while arguing with referees... they take this series because he is so important for them with his pnr play and etc.
As I said after the rough 1st half, at least he came out and played a lot better in the 2nd half... his energy level and attention to details was in a new level comparing to first half.
Just gonna say one thing, whining and getting emotional in a negative way is a no no for a rookie in the NBA... especially guys coming from Europe... it's just not gonna cut it, I like Doncic and at the same time dislike him haha (not because of his basketball skills or personality) my own reasons.
But it can change and it might not change, with one condition if Vlade will not be stupid when the Suns take Ayton... and while Doncic will be available... Vlade will try to be smart is gonna do something cute with the draft pick and not take tier 1 prospect in Doncic...then Gosh bless his soul, I might fly 5.5 thousand miles to Sacramento just to slap the hell out of him after the draft press conference.
Not the best finisher in the traffic, but when he will get stronger those concerns are gone for me.
Only real concern from me is not his defense or athletic ability, but his emotional burst what can happen when the game is not going well, last night he had a rough first half, and he was upset at not making baskets and had a little bit of an altercation with the guy he guarded and he was guarded most of the game, really athletic 6'7, 230lbs forward Timma (drafted 2011 by Grizzlies then his rights were traded to Magic).
They both had bad blood since quaterfinals in the last years Eurobasket, it's gonna be a fun matchup to watch.
To me if Doncic can keep his cool and don't whine or even distract himself from the game... in the live play while arguing with referees... they take this series because he is so important for them with his pnr play and etc.
As I said after the rough 1st half, at least he came out and played a lot better in the 2nd half... his energy level and attention to details was in a new level comparing to first half.
Just gonna say one thing, whining and getting emotional in a negative way is a no no for a rookie in the NBA... especially guys coming from Europe... it's just not gonna cut it, I like Doncic and at the same time dislike him haha (not because of his basketball skills or personality) my own reasons.
But it can change and it might not change, with one condition if Vlade will not be stupid when the Suns take Ayton... and while Doncic will be available... Vlade will try to be smart is gonna do something cute with the draft pick and not take tier 1 prospect in Doncic...then Gosh bless his soul, I might fly 5.5 thousand miles to Sacramento just to slap the hell out of him after the draft press conference.
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