POLL Luka Doncic is already a Top 5 NBA player, right?

[CitySushi]

Good points...guessing you saw why I mentioned Lebron was not thought of as a good defender early in career.

No not particularly, just commenting on your post. Luka I know isn't a great defender, but we don't know yet if he can turn that around. Lebron wasn't a great defender earlier in his career until he made it a priority. The only thing with Lebron is that he doesn't give consistent effort on defense. When he wanted to earlier in his career he could lock someone down.

 

[dtgold88]

I don't remember him getting ripped defensively, I remember him getting ripped for not being clutch (which we all know wasn't true). He was a pretty damn good defensive player pretty much early on imo. Those Cavs teams had great defenses and for awhile there he was in DPOY running if it wasn't for Dwight he would probably have 1 or 2 (of course this was 4-5 years into the league)

I'm talking first 2 years (especially his rookie year). some pretty bad defensive metrics his first couple years....for sure his rookie year (especially compared to what he became). He didn't really blossom as a defender from what I recall until Mike Brown took over as HC.

 

[dtgold88]

No not particularly, just commenting on your post. Luka I know isn't a great defender, but we don't know yet if he can turn that around. Lebron wasn't a great defender earlier in his career until he made it a priority. The only thing with Lebron is that he doesn't give consistent effort on defense. When he wanted to earlier in his career he could lock someone down.

I only mentioned Lebron's D as was told while Luka compared favorably on O to Lebron at same age the D? "Not so much"

Not sure that is accurate (at same ages).

 

[CitySushi]

I only mentioned Lebron's D as was told while Luka compared favorably on O to Lebron at same age the D? "Not so much"

Not sure that is accurate (at same ages).

It's tough to say, I don't really recall how good Lebron was at 21. Gun to my head, I believe Lebron was better defensively at that age, but mostly because of his sheer athleticism. There's a sharp difference in both of those players becoming good defenders. Lebron had all the physical tools to become an elite defender, it was more about effort. Luka doesn't have quite the athleticsm defensively, but will have to learn about attack angles on defense. It'll be more of a mental game with him than physical to become a good defender.

 

[dtgold88]

It's tough to say, I don't really recall how good Lebron was at 21. Gun to my head, I believe Lebron was better defensively at that age, but mostly because of his sheer athleticism. There's a sharp difference in both of those players becoming good defenders. Lebron had all the physical tools to become an elite defender, it was more about effort. Luka doesn't have quite the athleticsm defensively, but will have to learn about attack angles on defense. It'll be more of a mental game with him than physical to become a good defender.

That would have been my guess (better because of athletic ability...though not like Luka not a great athlete). Looking a DWS and DBPM they are pretty similar in years 1 and 2, with Lebron maybe a little better).

Luka might have one thing Lebron doesn't when it comes to desire and heart, which plays a huge role in D. But cannot disagree Luka wont be as athletic as Lebron.

 

[jontaejones]

It's too small of a sample size but honestly, if you take away Doncic, the Mavs have one of the worst lineups in the NBA.

 

[tlance]

It's too small of a sample size but honestly, if you take away Doncic, the Mavs have one of the worst lineups in the NBA.

They are probably like a 28 win team without Doncic.

But, there are a bunch of teams in the East who are worse. Some of them have more wins because they play in the East.

 

[jontaejones]

They are probably like a 28 win team without Doncic.

But, there are a bunch of teams in the East who are worse. Some of them have more wins because they play in the East.

Right, that's also on paper. Those old Mavs teams with Dampier and them weren't good on paper either, but they were a monster team together.

Time will tell.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Steph Curry is injured not dead so he's still in my top 5.

 

[UK Cowboy]

Right, that's also on paper. Those old Mavs teams with Dampier and them weren't good on paper either, but they were a monster team together.

Time will tell.

That's because they had Dirk...

 

[UK Cowboy]

They are probably like a 28 win team without Doncic.

But, there are a bunch of teams in the East who are worse. Some of them have more wins because they play in the East.

That's why I say he is easy top 5 if not higher.
LBJ is playing with AD. Kawhi has a ton of good players. Giannis has Middleton. Doncic has KP when he can stay on the court which is half the time at best, and a bunch of shooter who are made much better by getting so many wide open looks

 

[jontaejones]

That's because they had Dirk...

They did, but the supporting cast was better than on paper.

 

[msgkings322]

Steph Curry is injured not dead so he's still in my top 5.

KD too?

Curry is no longer injured, he even played before the virus shutdown.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Everyone most likely has Steph in the top 5...but injuries are injuries. KD might not be the same player though so I would rather not include him but if he is...he is a top 3 player still.

Giannis
Lebron
Kawhi
Steph
AD

With their track record...I don't think you can put Doncic in that conversation YET but he can already play with the best of him. If he beats the Clippers it will be a very early turn in his career where he can make a great case. Now, if we are talking who would rather have if you are starting a team now...I have Doncic at #1 tbh

 

[tlance]

Here are all the players I want to put in my top 5 (In no particular order)

LeBron
Giannis
Luka
Kawhi
KD
Curry
Lillard
Harden
AD

Is that too many?

 

[shopson67]

He didn't do badly today, but maybe it's because Paul George struggled again.

Good ole Playoff Pee....

 

[thunderc]

Here are all the players I want to put in my top 5 (In no particular order)

LeBron
Giannis
Luka
Kawhi
KD
Curry
Lillard
Harden
AD

Is that too many?

well it’s more than 5 . Maybe it’s just me but I’m pretty sure the order is what matters here. I like helping people though so just go ahead and take harden out. You are welcome.

 

[shopson67]

I think if the NBA dis a redraft tomorrow Luka goes #1 over all 5 if those guys

That's because bad teams pick first, and are used to waiting for a chance at a ring. His youth is a huge bonus, but also has it's draw backs in the near future.

 

[tlance]

That's because bad teams pick first, and are used to waiting for a chance at a ring. His youth is a huge bonus, but also has it's draw backs in the near future.

No.

It is because 12-15 years of Luka is a lot more valuable than 3 years of LeBron when you are looking beyond just the current year.

Which all NBA franchises are.

 

[UK Cowboy]

That's because bad teams pick first, and are used to waiting for a chance at a ring. His youth is a huge bonus, but also has it's draw backs in the near future.

Negative..
I also play a game to decide who the best player is. Many think Kawhi is the best player in the NBA.so if this series started over and Kawhi and Luka switched teams, do you really think the Mavs win?