I think Bagley is the better fit and superior talent. Of course I don't have proof of being 100% right. No one does. This is game of probabilities not certainty. I like Luka. He's good. He's also good looking. He has the wry smile. He has an infectious style of play. He has a compelling story, outplaying the competition as a "boy amongst men". Everyone loves a good story. This triggers emotion. Emotions are used to make decisions over facts, including decision to conclude Luka would be the best choice. But emotion-based decisions can mislead, circumventing the logical mind and neocortex-based thinking that leads to superior decisions. Ask yourself do you like Luka because he is likable? Be honest. Of course the answer is yes. But realize this is not enough if you want to take the player that is going to help your team to win at highest rate. I set aside the likability factor and the hype. Just like I did last year when I predicted Lonzo Bust would be a relative bust unworthy of franchise tage. I stand by that assessment when fans were wanting to package the #5 and #10 to draft him. The point is if you breakdown Lukas game with critical eye and come to conclusion he is the best choice, I respect that. If you talk about his awards and how he achieved so much at so young of an age, I am out. I look at what he does on the floor and through this filter I am less than blown away. I am more impressed by what Bagley can do and who he can be.
Well said and you make some valid points but I assure you I'm not basing my own thoughts on Luka on emotions. I never base sports, business, or many decisions in general on emotion. In general data, statistics, and following trends within those will lead you to better results.
I do think myself and others base our like of Luka Doncic on his game and specifically the intangibles and rare traits that you quite frankly just don't see in many players. His accolades are very much a byproduct of these traits. You talk about Luka like he's all flash, looks, and smile and then talk about winning games? What do you think he's been doing? All he has been doing is winning and winning everything there is to win!
Quite simply the way he plays is why he's winning games and that's also why people are paying attention. That "infectious style" also just happens to be a winning style. Now in today's NBA that is true more than ever. It's a free-flowing game where pushing the offense, making the extra pass, and running the pick-n-roll to collapse the defense and free up shooters is the key to success. This isn't 1997 anymore.
Players with tremendous vision, passing ability, and basketball IQ are generally winning players because they make their teammates better. Granted you need to have a combination of traits and athletic abilities to succeed in the NBA but to me basketball IQ and making your teammates better are the two most important traits a player can have. Luka will make his teammates better, Bagley really won't other than maybe whatever guard is feeding him the ball. I like Bagley too and think he will be a solid maybe even really good player but I just don't see anything obviously special about him. The lack of defense at Duke is a major concern.
Since you mentioned it, yes Luka is a good looking dude with a great smile but honestly I've been looking at his mom. She is stunning.
