Luka Doncic (pre and post-draft discussion thread)
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Good video + article https://sports.yahoo.com/luka-doncic-might-safest-pick-nba-draft-144228512.html
most interesting thing for me was this:
When we won the lotto, Fox gave an interview where he talked about being the leader of the team and helping whoever comes on board. He said he highly doubts we'll draft a PG because he's the PG of this team. He wants to help out our rookie.
If we draft Doncic, I think they're both going to be unhappy to start. It would come down to adapting with eachother's play. Doncic clearly wants to be the primary ball handler, meanwhile Fox is much more comfortable as the primary ball handler as well.
most interesting thing for me was this:
When we won the lotto, Fox gave an interview where he talked about being the leader of the team and helping whoever comes on board. He said he highly doubts we'll draft a PG because he's the PG of this team. He wants to help out our rookie.
If we draft Doncic, I think they're both going to be unhappy to start. It would come down to adapting with eachother's play. Doncic clearly wants to be the primary ball handler, meanwhile Fox is much more comfortable as the primary ball handler as well.
Thats why we should stagger them. Every time one is on the bench, other is on the floor. You get quality playmaking for 48minutes. Also having Doncic and Bogdanovic gives you possibilities for second unit like not playing a traditional point guard at all or playing a point guard thats more of a spot up/defensive specialist ect.
If they're professionals it will be worked out. The team should pick who's best for the team and not worry about hurt feelings. But there's two sides to this debate. Do you pull a khan and draft multiple players at the same position? Or do you miss out on Michael Jordan because you have Clyde Drexler.
I previously questioned whether or not Fox-Doncic could co-exists because I believed that if you make Fox the primary ball handler, you're weakening Doncic. Or if you're making Doncic the primary ball handler, you're weakening Fox. Weakening in the sense of letting the other player reach their ceiling.
However, I've changed my mind and believe that Doncic needs someone who can drive inside and penetrate. He's not all the good at getting inside due to lack of quickness. However, we have Fox who excels at getting inside. On the other hand, Fox struggles opperating in the half-court, meanwhile Doncic excels at it. In some ways, I think both players can makeup for the other's weakness.
but... it might ultimately come down to ego. I see why Fox and Doncic would feel like they're both best with the ball in their hands because truthfully, they are. However, both have weaknesses, and I think having another ball handler next to them will help them a lot.
Ego is the only potential problem I see getting in the way. Both players are very confident and vocal. 2 great leaders. I think we draft them and figure out the rest later.
However, I've changed my mind and believe that Doncic needs someone who can drive inside and penetrate. He's not all the good at getting inside due to lack of quickness. However, we have Fox who excels at getting inside. On the other hand, Fox struggles opperating in the half-court, meanwhile Doncic excels at it. In some ways, I think both players can makeup for the other's weakness.
but... it might ultimately come down to ego. I see why Fox and Doncic would feel like they're both best with the ball in their hands because truthfully, they are. However, both have weaknesses, and I think having another ball handler next to them will help them a lot.
Ego is the only potential problem I see getting in the way. Both players are very confident and vocal. 2 great leaders. I think we draft them and figure out the rest later.
Fox playing off the ball (sometimes) could be a real weapon with his speed as a slasher playing alongside Luka.
Also on fast-breaks imagine Fox being able to full utilize his speed and get out ahead as a finisher with Luka as the ball-handler. In the open court Fox is just as useful as a finisher as he is the ball handler. Anything where his speed can be used as a weapon.
As someone already mentioned, Fox isn't in a position to have too big of an ego yet and resist bringing Luka in. While I saw a lot of good things last year from Fox (especially his clutch ability), let's face it he wasn't very good at running the offense in the half court. Chalk some of that up to him being a young rookie, too skinny, and also lacking a reliable outside shot.........but at the same time it's also very possible that he's just not a true PG that can get you into your offense every single possession. All the more reason to draft Luka and utilize them both.
Also on fast-breaks imagine Fox being able to full utilize his speed and get out ahead as a finisher with Luka as the ball-handler. In the open court Fox is just as useful as a finisher as he is the ball handler. Anything where his speed can be used as a weapon.
As someone already mentioned, Fox isn't in a position to have too big of an ego yet and resist bringing Luka in. While I saw a lot of good things last year from Fox (especially his clutch ability), let's face it he wasn't very good at running the offense in the half court. Chalk some of that up to him being a young rookie, too skinny, and also lacking a reliable outside shot.........but at the same time it's also very possible that he's just not a true PG that can get you into your offense every single possession. All the more reason to draft Luka and utilize them both.
Shades of 2009. Monta quote on media day about Steph Curry (just drafted):
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawaka...phen-curry-we-cant-not-going-to-win-that-way/
Point being, you take the best player for the future, not how they fit at the time.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawaka...phen-curry-we-cant-not-going-to-win-that-way/
Point being, you take the best player for the future, not how they fit at the time.
Doncic is a Point Forward. He will guard the other team's Small Forward.
Fox is the scoring Point Guard. He will guard the other teams Point Guard.
Doncic has the superior court vision. He sees plays before they develop. He is more effective when he brings the ball up, because he can put a pass on a dime and get easy transition looks for his teammates.
Once the team sets up in the half court, the two can share ball handling duties. Fox will be used more off the ball, but can also handle. Fox will be more of the attacking guard and Doncic can get him the ball where he has a lane to drive. As long as the ball keeps moving, there will be plenty of opportunities for both to get their assists. LeBron and Kyrie, CP3 and Harden, KD and Curry does it.
It should be all about team and winning and ball movement and everyone touches the ball, which will be great for the team. I don't see why both Fox and Doncic can't both average 6+ assist per game together. Just keep the ball moving until someone on the floor gets an open look, an open lane or a pick and roll.
Fox is the scoring Point Guard. He will guard the other teams Point Guard.
Doncic has the superior court vision. He sees plays before they develop. He is more effective when he brings the ball up, because he can put a pass on a dime and get easy transition looks for his teammates.
Once the team sets up in the half court, the two can share ball handling duties. Fox will be used more off the ball, but can also handle. Fox will be more of the attacking guard and Doncic can get him the ball where he has a lane to drive. As long as the ball keeps moving, there will be plenty of opportunities for both to get their assists. LeBron and Kyrie, CP3 and Harden, KD and Curry does it.
It should be all about team and winning and ball movement and everyone touches the ball, which will be great for the team. I don't see why both Fox and Doncic can't both average 6+ assist per game together. Just keep the ball moving until someone on the floor gets an open look, an open lane or a pick and roll.
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Game highlights from Doncic game today: 
https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2018/06/98-91-real-madrid-respond-well-to-level-the-final?vauto=1
https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2018/06/98-91-real-madrid-respond-well-to-level-the-final?vauto=1
De'Aaron really turned the corner defensively about halfway through the season. He really started to get up on his man and hound him more consistently. You won't hear his critics mention this. This increased engagement will carryover to the other end. De'Aaron Fox is on the path to stardom. There is no doubt. The biggest impediment is a coach and GM who gives him the freedom and system and teammates to play his game. Bagley will help unlock the potential of Fox. Luka maybe can help, but I am not sure. Luka cannot run with Fox. Luka will take the ball out of Fox's hands. You better believe this is what the Kings braintrust is talking about right now.
Yeah this is the real advantage Houston and the warriors have over other teams honestly. They get to run cp3 and Durant against other teams 2nd units while everyone else has to rest.
So yeah pull doncic after 7 minutes, let Fox run the full quarter, then bring doncic back to start the 2nd rested against the other teams 2nd unit. Such a nice advantage
So yeah pull doncic after 7 minutes, let Fox run the full quarter, then bring doncic back to start the 2nd rested against the other teams 2nd unit. Such a nice advantage
Nothing to get excited about there. The plays Luka made Boggy can make. I'd be more comfortable taking Luka if he could create his own shot better. He just does not have enough juke moves or burst to create space for himself. It would be so easy to take him if he was a 40% shooter or was better breaking down his man one-on-one. This is the quandary. Maybe he can get there. He probably will. We are not taking this scrub MPJ. I have chosen to give the Kings FO more credit than others, that there is enough astuteness around Vlade to do proper risk assessment. A preconceived bias can distort extremely, but I think there are enough clear eyes around him to prevent catastrophe. MPJ would miss Summer League and red-shirt next season. Even before you talk about all the holes in his game mentally and physically, you think the Kings can afford to red-shirt the #2 pick and after Giles? Give me a break. It would audacious for the GM and coach to try to sell damaged goods to the fan base and buy themselves more time collecting them checks instead of being on the hot seat where they belong. So it is either Bagley or Luka, since Mo Unicorn Bamba is apparently not on our radar (stupidly). This pick is easy for me: Bagley. If you believe in the superstardom potential of Fox then Luka loses his luster. If you believe in the pick and roll prowess of Boggy, one of Luka's best attributes, Luka loses his luster. I also love Puma sneakers. This is another reason that the decision is relatively easy.
He's seems like a good kid. It's good that he is close to his family.
For someone that has been anointed a "wonder boy" since 12 years old, he seems very humble, he knows he still has work to do and still needs to improve. He knows if he wants to be the best, he still needs to work his butt off. That is a very, very good sign.
It's good that he is close to his family.For someone that has been anointed a "wonder boy" since 12 years old, he seems very humble, he knows he still has work to do and still needs to improve. He knows if he wants to be the best, he still needs to work his butt off. That is a very, very good sign.
I'll admit I'm a little biased towards Luka as I'm projecting my girl-that-got-away crush on Dejan Bodiroga.
Quick story: my friend shared a house in Sac with one of Vlade's best friends from Serbia (who played pro ball). I was talking to him about Dejan and of course Drazen about how great of basketball players they were. He then brought up Doncic as a player to watch. This was two summers ago right when Vlade was signing Temple to a deal, but Vlade wouldn't tell me who he was signing, not that it was a big deal anyway.
The point of my story? I'm a name dropper.
Quick story: my friend shared a house in Sac with one of Vlade's best friends from Serbia (who played pro ball). I was talking to him about Dejan and of course Drazen about how great of basketball players they were. He then brought up Doncic as a player to watch. This was two summers ago right when Vlade was signing Temple to a deal, but Vlade wouldn't tell me who he was signing, not that it was a big deal anyway.
The point of my story? I'm a name dropper.
Or the other team's Power Forward since a lot of those guys just spot up and shoot these days anyway. My thinking is that you put Doncic at SF and a bigger wing or combo forward at the PF spot who can cover multiple positions and have that guy take the other team's top wing on defense. Doncic guards whichever guy is off the ball more and his main job is to play the passing lanes and try to stick close enough to deny the open three. It's not exactly going to work out that way because the best offensive teams are spreading the floor and using a lot of screens to free up shooters. So it will be more of a zone assignment thing but when one of the other team's wings wants to isolate, more often than not it would not be Doncic trying to defend them.
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