Luka Doncic has played his way into the discussion to go first overall in next months NBA Draft. He may even be an all-time prospect
Luka Doncic has officially jumped onto the hype train, just as Lonzo Ball was getting off. But, what is hype? Can hype be measured?
From old heads to the new school, the NBA’s fan culture has built up billion dollar brands. It has also made a mockery of the majority of players that could never quite reach the bar hype had set for them.
Hype surrounding European player’s has had a hard time getting off the ground the last few years. If I am being honest, it’s because most of the imports from oversea’s haven’t been very good. Today, this changes because Luka Doncic is the best European prospect ever and the best prospect the league has seen since Anthony Davis in 2012.
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Euroleague MVP
Luka Doncic is a 6-foot-8 Slovenian guard playing for Real Madrid. Doncic took home MVP honors of the Euroleague as he lead Real Madrid to a win over Fenerbahce in the title game last weekend (he also helped Slovenia win its first European championship last year).
Barely over 19 years old, he put up 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, while shooting 53 percent from the field, 31 percent from 3-point range, and 80 percent at the line. Compare those to Kristaps Porzingis’ line of 11-4.6-0.5 and his production becomes more clear.
European leagues stress more pass heavy systems, often negating some of the abilities of the best players. Doncic’s stat line reflects his well rounded game and his massive impact.
Over the years, the problem with selecting a European player high in the draft is teams were picking more on upside, neglecting the production of the player. Although, in the last 5-6 years it does seem like GMs and scouts have found better luck with the lottery picks. No European player has entered the NBA draft with the resume that Luka Doncic owns.
The King, The Brow, and Luka
Watching highlight packages of Luka is like NBA nerd heaven. I like to watch tape on players and form an opinion in my head, then see how my thoughts align with others. When I first started paying attention to Doncic, the over riding feeling I had was uneasy! I did not find any glaring weaknesses except maybe he wasn’t the most explosive player and it made me feel like I was missing something.
Doncic always seems to make the right play. He always looks under control, something I liked about Ben Simmons in 2016. He uses nice footwork when trying to shake defenders and guys ride him the whole way to the basket. Luka puts the right touch on his passes and runs a pretty pick and roll. He plays like a young Manu Giobili but bigger and better.
No offense to DeAndre Ayton but Luke Doncic is the best prospect in this class and I don’t think its really all that close. “Lack of elite athleticism” is what helped Jason Tatum fall to the Celtics last year. When a player checks all the other boxes, I tend to look at that critique as nit picking.
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Since 2000, players like Yao Ming, LeBron James, Greg Oden, and Anthony Davis were seen as can’t miss prospects. Hoop heads are always looking for the next guy, the next legend. Luka Doncic is one of the most complete basketball players I have seen under the age of 20. His skills, along with his infectious passion and intensity make him the most surefire prospect since The Brow left Kentucky after cutting down the nets in 2012. Let the hype train begin.