Here's the link for the free trial and 50% off at The Athletic here: www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketball I'm thinking more about what kind of defensive roster could slow down Luka's Mavs. Clippers seem like a candidate. Thoughts?
He’s gonna make the right pass when he sees help; so 5 athletic wings definitely not a bad choice. I was gonna say Toronto but it seems Nurse doesn’t want to go Siakam at the 5 that often in the regular season. But Lowry/Powell/OG/RHJ/Siakam wouldn’t be a bad shout. If they still had Kawhi it’s another story... In playoffs we will see much different defenders and coverages. I think teams are gonna go small immediately to combat Luka(since KP’s post game is looking thoroughly underwhelming), and also target him endlessly on D so he hopefully starts losing legs with the jumper(happened last year, after a full regular season with his usage rate should happen again). If the Warriors were fully fit Klay/Paschall/Dray/Looney are all decent matchups for Luka, and they can try preswitching a tonne like they did vs Houston to hide Steph, if that’s what the Mavs try to do
Hey Ben! I am visiting my dad for Christmas and was thinking of getting him the free trial/50% deal as a gift when I visit him that week. Do you know if you'll still have this deal going? Don't want to miss it, but also feels weird signing him up early.
Luka critics: "He already reaches his ceiling. Me 2018-2019: "the sky is the limit my friend" Me 2019-2020: "He transcend sky ... Luka is a Space Jam level player"
What some people don't understand is that as much as you can't teach someone physical attributes/being super athletic, there is also a limit to how much BBIQ a player can learn before they hit their prime and even at their twilight when they lose a whole step. Blake Griffin improved his post up game but never really mastered it for obvious reasons (not the most effective tool in his arsenal) early before his prime. What paid dividends was his jumper which he nailed a proper form 6 years into his career. Then a couple seasons had extended that jumper beyond the arc with some solid consistency. He was also developing some court vision as well around his prime where he could rebound and run transition and catch someone like DeAndre Jordan for a quick basket so his athleticism has some use on the offensive end. Not every player can have this kind of development with their skillset. Luka came into the league with a pro ready skillset and in his 2nd year is showing mastery of what he flashed in his first year as well with having a step back 3-ball jumper. By the time he's hit his prime his offensive knowledge should be tops in the league as well with never being caught off position on defense. Which should bode well if the Mavs can pick up personnel who can play D and be the guys to cover the other teams' scorers.
It is now mid January and Luka continues to amaze. He just had his 20th triple double. With the season ending injury to Dwight Powell Luka will be called on to do even more. He is a phenomenal player.
It feels like an American soccer fan trying to argue that Clint Dempseyhad a higher ceiling at 20 years old than Lionel Messi because he didn't have the benefit of playing professionally as a teenager. No Messi, like Luka, is just an incredibly rare talent.
We in America are also proud of his very beautiful mother who speaks English better than a lot of us in USA. BTW does Luka have any siblings? A brother or sister?
5:38 Insane how easy it becomes for him to choose, he thinks "no lob? Okay, i'll go with an almost garanteed floater. And even if i miss my Center can catch the ball and score." Same thing with his 3 pointer and floater, the fact that he shoots most Step backs are great because the opponent to lunge himself into him, desperate to cover ground, and this leaves a DIVINE opening allowing a free run to the lane into a high % floater; this also means that his 3s need to always sharps, but just enough to exploit space, so 35% (?). And the more you try, the more will fall in, of course, which explain the fact that he was shooting an obscene amount this year, trying to compensate a lack of accuracy with Volume (which is in and of itself a form of training, matches are stimulus too, the body doesn't differ between game and practice). All of this is already an entire effective game, and it's basically just 3 option (!!!), but your opponent have choose between rock-paper-scissors, and every single one of them are too dangerous for the defense not to telegraph, which makes even easier to score. I believe a lot elite guys must have a style that is equaly simple, but in his case he already have elite passing, usually is the other way around, your passes get increasingly complex as a response to defense adapting, but since he became a Passer first and loves to dime this made the scoring aspect much much more easier, so even if is not that sharp it'll have an explosion in performance. This passing foundation also allowed him to fully commit into becoming a scoring guard and training to exclusively develop an aggressive individualistic mindset, taking full advantage of all that spacing and rules (and have i mentioned that he still has all of that dirty tricks from year one?!). In his first year he was still with european mindset, more of a passer, traditional Guard.
I'm sure Luka benefitted a lot from starting playing bball so young with a father that was a pro in Europe. Add to that he was signed to Real Madrid at 13 and started playing with the big club at 16. When a young player of promise signs with a major club team they immediately start getting the benefit of elite skills development and competition. Then we see Luka becoming the MVP on a championship team at 18 in the second best pro league on the planet which is crazy. So this years results falls right in line with his continued development as crazy as they are. How teams could pass on him in the draft is even crazier especially when you consider that a couple had knowledgeable Euro basketball minds in positions of influence. If Luka is this good now, how good will he be in a couple years? Or five years?
I've actually been wondering how he will be as an older player. Given his body type, I don't see him still dominating the league like LeBron is doing right now to be honest. All those step backs and drives to the rim will be taking a toll when he's old(er). In the best case scenario he'll be more like old Jordan, relying on his unrivalled mastery of the fundamentals. Don't get me wrong, I am a massive Doncic fan and he's the only NBA player I stay up for till 2am so I can watch his games here in the Netherlands. I just don't think his ceiling will be as high as LeBron's although I really hope I'm wrong.
@@yossarian644 Well he is playing even better than Lebron ever did right now. Facts. Numbers. And Im a huge Lebron Fan. Also, If you take care of your body and you have a bit of luck with injuries, like Lebron did, you can reach 35 at 75 80 % of you physical peak and be an even better player than you were when young because of experience and continued work on your game. Luka doesn't really depend on athleticism, last year he was thrown on the league after literally just 3 weeks out of competition, at 250 pounds plus I heard, at 18 and without knowing the league. He couldn't blow even by his hot mom. He still got his buckets. Now imagine how good Luka is going to be even at 35 like LBJ is now, and cower in fear. I get scared sometimes too.
@@yossarian644 You are wrong imo, I personally don't think he will stay in the NBA his whole career. He already said, after his NBA career, he wants to go back and play in the Euroleague.
In an interview with Mark Cuban he said when Luka got to the Mavs his first season he wasn’t in great shape and that is how he played his first season then the following summer he was put into a special training to get him fit, his whole nutrition was changed, he was taught how to eat right for peak performance which he didn’t know and he started lifting weights for the first time in his life and what we are seeing this season is the result of that training, the guy can ball he just needed to get NBA fit, I think we have not seen anything yet, as his young body starts responding to the training he is going to explode in 3 to 4 years, some haters are saying what about the Clippers yesterday? And to that I say, he scored 22 points still highest in his team against the best defense in the League now but he had no help and on top of that the kid is 20 years old and just got to the league, how many 20 year olds were playing for the Clippers ? Kawhi is 28 and a league Veteran so give me a break with that shit!!!!
Exactly my words. He has literally NEVER worked with weights till this summer. Thats the way things go in europe, they don't work with weights until they finish growing. Also the level of nutrition and training in Europe is the main difference with the NBA and he has just started at this too. And In just one summer the results are already showing A LOT. He is quicker stronger and jumps higher than last year already. Now Imagine what this is going to b on 3 4 years like you jut pointed out. Right now guys like Lebron Kawhi or PG, guys with elite strenght and athleticism at the wing, still have an advantage over Luka, that sort of balances the overwhelming technical advantage Luka has over them. Now imagine that Luka gets to a level, where he is not quite LBJ or Paul George, but he is evenly matched with a prime Kawhi(2016 Kawhi). The athtleticism disadvantage vanishes, and his technique is still there, hence he will be the one dishing out dunks and blowing by. Now shudder in fear,
@@edmartinezdj9034 Well Luka was blowing by people and dunking on guys until the virus hit. Think how much stronger and more fit he'll be when the League starts up again. He may have also installed a gym in his house to stay in shape since the virus.
@@JimmyKillem69 Exactly my thoughts. If injuries respect him, we are going to find out what would Larry Bird have done if he started younger, nerver got injured and played on a higher paced basketball environment. HE CAN BE THE BEST EVER! HE IS THE BEST EVER AT HIS AGE SO FAR! BEST EVER BAR NO ONE.
Bruh why have I just found this page a week ago. Dude you are the absolute best. I thought I knew basketball players pretty well but you break them down for the novices to understand
He is already the best player in the league? I don’t know how anyone can compare to him aside from Giannis who have much higher defensive value. But if you ask me who will have a bigger drop off in the postseason it would be Giannis as good teams look like they can scheme against his shooting weaknesses.
Or the hip. Hés like poker players who play the opponent and not the cards. He does it very very well, i think he has rxtreme eye accuracy and mental speed to process all this info in real time. Invisible talent but one sees it just trumps verything else.
@umar b Could be the "lack of athleticism" that people keeps saying and amazing basketball IQ as well. And yes he is the best white player since Bird so it's a fair statement. I think he's like a mix between Bird (not play style but for reasons i just mentioned), LeBron, and Magic. Put all 3 of those guys in a blender and you get Luka.
We’re gonna look at these short lived Lebron/Luka matchups like we did the MJ/Kobe games. Gotta say, I was sort of expecting Giannis to be the new “king” after Lebron retired, but it’s looking like it could be Luka😳
Yea the League in the 2020s is going to be fantastic. Lots of great players like Kat, Jokic, Embid, Zion, Trae, Giannis, Luka, Booker, etc. So much talent its honestly really insane.
Luka is already a Top 10 player in the league. Plus he’s Slavic so you know he’s a beast. Great content as always he might just carry them to the playoffs this year, still shocked he wasn’t taken number 1
And Formula one breaking - Best line ever!... Loved the video, wow im shocked. So Luka isnt pre-planning anything! Wow, making reads on the fly like that what an amazing player! Thanks Ben!
I've been following this kid even before he came into the NBA and one thing I've noticed over so many games is that he has the weirdest type of atlethisizm. I don't know what it is but you can't tell me he gets by defenders simply because of his handle. He's slow yet he can be kinda quick in a second etc. He can go really fast and than just stop in a second and get his balance right away. Is even more impressive since he is a big boy.
If you watch Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns, watch how he uses his arm, pushing away the opponents arm, holding his hand in ways that stop the defenders attempt. Luka has real good body control, so good at using his shoulder and body, hips, arm position, all help him judo move his way around you. He bumbs and stops his momentum on drives, he is like a freaking judo master.
Luka plays at his slow speed b/c he can accelerate very quickly from almost standstill. He also has very good fakes which freeze guys guarding him so he can blow by them in a second. Luka is very quick off his slow dribble which lulls defenders to sleep. "Don't sleep on Luka" has become opposing coaches' plea because if you do he'll leave you behind very quickly. All that, he learned from his father and from his older Euroleague teammates.
I have NEVER seen a better P&R player than Luka is right now. When he gets into a P&R you just KNOW that it is going to be either a 1) high % finish in the paint 2) lob 3) open 3pt. it is insane
@umar b no he isnt. An I am a huge lebron fan. James dosnt shoot when defenders go under for most of the time, it is a huge down turn. He is close 2nd and better in some aspects, still q better overall player but when it comes to p&r there is noone right now who runs them better than luka.
The comparison with Bird is actually pretty accurate. The frame is the same, at 6-8, 6-9 with a big body but not a lot of athleticism, but huge basketball IQ, touch, and especially feel for the game. Both are incredibly gift in being able to read defenders, make basic and tough passes, and being incredible shooters.
Great freakin video man. You just make sense. No bias. No fuckey graphs to skew how we thing. You just talk real metrics, AND include the eye test. Much love, and keep em coming
This question has been asked numerous times recently: How could three teams pass on Luka at the 2018 draft? Today listening to the local ESPN Dallas radio station I heard what might be a possible explanation. An NBA scout told the story that he and many other NBA team scouts attended a couple of the Euro league’s 2018 playoff games to watch Luka play. In those two games Luka was outplayed and didn’t look anything like the star player he was supposed to be. All those scouts and front office people returned to the U.S with a bad impression of Luka’s abilities. He goes on to have a fantastic series and wins the Euro NBP. The NBA people are home mostly unimpressed. In those few days the future of three NBA franchises are decided for the next decade. I’m sure there is more to this story than that but what that might be was not discussed during that ESPN Dallas radio sports show.
A very plausible explanation. That is very sloppy scouting. You have to follow a potential player for a long time. There is something called video. Deciding on an impression of 2 games seen live is a total neglect. You can do it but not in NBA too much money involved to be sloppy
Donnie Nelson did not listen to those naysayers. He was over there a lot watching the Euro games and he saw enough of Luka in his 18th year to bring video to Cuban. The rest is history. Cuban said Luka was at the top of their draft list so when he learned that the Hawks had drafted Luka but wanted Trae Young, he worked out that swap deal. And as it turns out, Trae has also vastly improved his game, plus the Hawks got the Mavs first pick in the next draft so the squeeze they put on Cuban worked out very well for them.
As a big Mavericks fan and the Texas native I am so glad we got Luca. I was worried when Dirk nowitzki retired. Dirk was one of my favorite players of all time. It's nice to see the Mavericks are in good hands going forward.
Another great video. I remember the pods from last year trying to stay calm with the hype. He’s fantastic for the league. It’s great to have a player that plays below the rim, yet as entertaining as any freak athlete. The warriors death and this lifeblood of great young talent is making the NBA the greatest sports league on the planet.
Before watching the video I can say he is by far the best, he's doing something only 2 people have ever done, one of them did with way more possessions, so technically he's doing something only one person has managed before, It's just insane, I have no words, forget a 20 year old, it's one of the best ever seasons I'm seeing and I've seen Jordan play
you earned a like from me when you said "lukas playing go" instead of the usual checkers chess metaphor everyone uses.. GO is more complicated than chess people!!
He is very,very smart player, at the age of 20!He is beautiful to watch from game to game.I-we can't wait the next Mav's game to enjoy his ubelieveble talent.Finally someone from Europe has come (after Dražen Petrović) and done what he is doing wright now.... bravo neighbour Slovenian,just keeping doing what you doing best!!We in Europe know who you are,now it's time to whole world see what you can do...bravo Luka👋💥💥👌💯🔊🔊🔊
@Clippers Suck that would also be good, but I wanna see Luka go up against elite defenders that game plan against him. Your name makes me think you might be just a little biased tho 🤣
Clippers Suck look at your user name you’re not biased at all 🤦🏽♂️ I really enjoyed Thinking Basketball comment sections before Lebron stans came in and ruined it. Stay away from intelligent basketball fans and go hang out on Bleacher Report with the rest of your kind.
Also, he's incredibly nimble and athletic, just not in the obvious sense, one of the most athletic people I've seen in fact in some facets like his hand eye coordination, his low to high bounce, his control over speed, insane, not measurable and something you can't see unless you look
im just gonna throw it out there that lebron was playing 42,4 minutes per game in his second season and luka is playing 33.3 minutes per game. thats nearly 1 quarter difference between them .
Can we put to rest the question ofwho got the better end of the trade already? Trae is potentially a perennial all star. Luka is a generational player at a talent level on par with Lebron.
This videos are amazing man, I thought I was a basketball nerd until I met this channel. I so much appreciate the work that you do. Thank you and keep em comin! 👍🏾
Amazing player to watch i don t know if he is best 20yer old ever or is he going to be best player ever, i only know that i enjoy watching him play and that is best thing about any athlete in the world
You guys keep forgetting the fact that Luka was playing professional basketball since he was 15 years old, for one of the best teams in whole Europe - Real Madrid. Since I'm from Serbia, I know all about him from the time he was nothing and nobody in USA. It's not strange that he is one of best players in NBA when he is professional player for almost 5 years, while rookies from USA came into their first year of professionalism.
At 16 he would have been at the same basketball level, like mentally and by command of the game, as a one and done top prospect like Williamson or Barrett for example. Not physically obviously. If that experiment did happen, he would be doing the same things if not even crazier that he does now. Probably even crazier because he woudl be a more physically developed and athletic player than he is nowadays, and just 1 year of competition and a summer of proper nba level workout, has made a big difference for him. Thats the main difference, between getting 21 or 30. Every year hes going to step it up physically every summer between seasons he will come a bit faster stronger and more developed. Until he is 25 at least. He's 20. Now try to imagine how he is going to look at 25. Transform all those lay ups in dunks and cash in some defensive upgrades as well. That will produce more dunks. Now shudder slightly.
@@MrMathsimon I was going to do that but then they hit me with the blackout in my free trial week. I guess it was good i found out about it before I gave them any money.
This Is What When Your Country Doesn't Hold You Back With One Year Rules To Exploit Young Players For The NCAA Profit. Luka Was Allowed To Play Pro Since He Was 16
I watch Luka a lot but I couldn't realize that hook on the screeners. I didn't understand how he can always put his defenders on his back after a simple screen. You really point out all the small details that separate him from such a skilled player.
Luka seems to be truly ambidextrous when it comes to his legs. He is able to jump off his right and his left really well. That kind of control is super useful when he gets those eurosteps and step backs out.
I mean, he's been a professional player since he was 13, so that plays some part in all this. Regardless, he's a generational talent and the next great point guard.
@@jfull8807 I wouldn't say it's being used against him. He's miles better than everyone else because he has the most experience you can get as a young star. I agree that it helps his case because it meant he was a phenom from such a young age
Here's the link for the free trial and 50% off at The Athletic here: www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketball
I'm thinking more about what kind of defensive roster could slow down Luka's Mavs. Clippers seem like a candidate. Thoughts?
Does it matter? Are the mavs legit contenders? I’d say they need another before they’re title relevant anyway
Will see tonight.
Can you make a Embiid video on why hes regressed so far this season compared to last?
He’s gonna make the right pass when he sees help; so 5 athletic wings definitely not a bad choice.
I was gonna say Toronto but it seems Nurse doesn’t want to go Siakam at the 5 that often in the regular season. But Lowry/Powell/OG/RHJ/Siakam wouldn’t be a bad shout. If they still had Kawhi it’s another story...
In playoffs we will see much different defenders and coverages. I think teams are gonna go small immediately to combat Luka(since KP’s post game is looking thoroughly underwhelming), and also target him endlessly on D so he hopefully starts losing legs with the jumper(happened last year, after a full regular season with his usage rate should happen again).
If the Warriors were fully fit Klay/Paschall/Dray/Looney are all decent matchups for Luka, and they can try preswitching a tonne like they did vs Houston to hide Steph, if that’s what the Mavs try to do
Hey Ben! I am visiting my dad for Christmas and was thinking of getting him the free trial/50% deal as a gift when I visit him that week. Do you know if you'll still have this deal going? Don't want to miss it, but also feels weird signing him up early.
hey man as someone commented last video weve got no problem you stretching out the video to be over 10 mins long, get that bread my man
Gotta get that 10:01 for that juicy ad revenue!
Totally agreed - these vids are all content, no filler. Get that $$$
Couldnt agree more. Rly love this channel
I would prefer longer videos given the quality of the content tbh
I said it on the last video and I'll say it again, this dude could stretch videos 20 seconds or 20 minutes and I wouldn't care
Why do I feel smarter every time i watch your vids?
I swear dudeeeee
because you get smarter.
There's real information and analysis in his videos
I watch several basketball channels. This is my favorite. All good analysis; no drama. Can't argue with objective analysis. Keep it up!
His book is a whole step up as well "Thinking Basketball" . Well worth the read!
Luka's stats look like he's playing on rookie difficulty
His game also looks like that because it's so shifty - no need to be excessively fast or jump high when you're always ahead.
Well played ;)
What happened to his garage ass with the clippers 🤣lol muthafuckas luv to praise a great white hype 🎭pause he ain’t shit
Haywood Jablome great white hype on the racist Mavs team with the green light👿they luv foreign muthafuckas🇻🇪but run all niggaz outta town🖕🏿💯
@@germainewalker4247 he was 22, 6, and 8. The rest of the Mavs didn't do their part
Go try some of these deceleration moves in the gym, and I promise you, your ankles will have some choice words.
@@Soosss core strength is underrated AF in sports
Diego Lopez
But the MOST important one
But but he ain't athletic.... Geez. There's more to being athletic than running and jumping
But can he dunk from the free throw line? Can he run coast to coast like Westbrook? Not as good when you think about it
@@ojl5055 There's more to athleticism than jumping high and running fast 🙄
Wow I never noticed how he would wrap his hand around the screen so the defender wouldn’t be able to get through. He’s pure genius !!
@Hair Hat Exterminator you've never looked for anyone doing it
That's a well executed fundamental of the game
@Hair Hat Exterminator 😂😂😂😂
Kobe did it with at least pau gasol with the lakers, i think against Boston?
Commenters said something about it being old school idk?
MVP next year
Luka is the Mozart of basketball. Pure, effortless basketball genius.
yeah he is one of those.Still doesnt have a nickname though
@@EduSanjuan777 The Don
Luka “and1” Doncic
@@EduSanjuan777 Luka Magic ?
@@paquinraino8180 nah, he performs luka magic, Luka the don fits well though as a name
Here after his masterpiece game 4 vs the Clippers. This video has aged even better than expected
Clippers in 6!
@@NothingElseMattersJM Refs in 7
Even his video about the joker aged well
Even better
That´s why I´m watching every Dallas game at night, he´s just too much fun to watch
Same, nothing like a 20 year old with an old man game
4 am o'clock, why I'm don't sleeping? Because mavs playing!
Luka critics: "He already reaches his ceiling.
Me 2018-2019: "the sky is the limit my friend"
Me 2019-2020: "He transcend sky ... Luka is a Space Jam level player"
Even if he's close to his ceiling at this point, how many high potential stars actually were to reach their ceiling, r come even close to it?
What some people don't understand is that as much as you can't teach someone physical attributes/being super athletic, there is also a limit to how much BBIQ a player can learn before they hit their prime and even at their twilight when they lose a whole step. Blake Griffin improved his post up game but never really mastered it for obvious reasons (not the most effective tool in his arsenal) early before his prime. What paid dividends was his jumper which he nailed a proper form 6 years into his career. Then a couple seasons had extended that jumper beyond the arc with some solid consistency. He was also developing some court vision as well around his prime where he could rebound and run transition and catch someone like DeAndre Jordan for a quick basket so his athleticism has some use on the offensive end. Not every player can have this kind of development with their skillset. Luka came into the league with a pro ready skillset and in his 2nd year is showing mastery of what he flashed in his first year as well with having a step back 3-ball jumper. By the time he's hit his prime his offensive knowledge should be tops in the league as well with never being caught off position on defense. Which should bode well if the Mavs can pick up personnel who can play D and be the guys to cover the other teams' scorers.
It is now mid January and Luka continues to amaze. He just had his 20th triple double. With the season ending injury to Dwight Powell Luka will be called on to do even more. He is a phenomenal player.
It feels like an American soccer fan trying to argue that Clint Dempseyhad a higher ceiling at 20 years old than Lionel Messi because he didn't have the benefit of playing professionally as a teenager. No Messi, like Luka, is just an incredibly rare talent.
We in Slovenia are proud of our prodigy Luka MAGIC!
We in America are also proud of his very beautiful mother who speaks English better than a lot of us in USA. BTW does Luka have any siblings? A brother or sister?
Better than MOST of us? Really???
@@MrKirua21 All right I'll buy "a lot". Will edit.
@@dieseldog00 nope
Most of slovenian top sportsmen dont have siblings
He will be the best player in the 2020's
Right there with Giannis, dont sleep with the Greek Freak, just 4 years older
CLC 356 true Giannis will still be only like 33-34 by the time the decades out he will hopefully by then have a reliable jumpshot and still athletic
@@carlosledon953 just 4 years old 💀
of ALL TIME fuck you mean
The cold takes
5:38 Insane how easy it becomes for him to choose, he thinks "no lob? Okay, i'll go with an almost garanteed floater. And even if i miss my Center can catch the ball and score." Same thing with his 3 pointer and floater, the fact that he shoots most Step backs are great because the opponent to lunge himself into him, desperate to cover ground, and this leaves a DIVINE opening allowing a free run to the lane into a high % floater; this also means that his 3s need to always sharps, but just enough to exploit space, so 35% (?). And the more you try, the more will fall in, of course, which explain the fact that he was shooting an obscene amount this year, trying to compensate a lack of accuracy with Volume (which is in and of itself a form of training, matches are stimulus too, the body doesn't differ between game and practice).
All of this is already an entire effective game, and it's basically just 3 option (!!!), but your opponent have choose between rock-paper-scissors, and every single one of them are too dangerous for the defense not to telegraph, which makes even easier to score. I believe a lot elite guys must have a style that is equaly simple, but in his case he already have elite passing, usually is the other way around, your passes get increasingly complex as a response to defense adapting, but since he became a Passer first and loves to dime this made the scoring aspect much much more easier, so even if is not that sharp it'll have an explosion in performance.
This passing foundation also allowed him to fully commit into becoming a scoring guard and training to exclusively develop an aggressive individualistic mindset, taking full advantage of all that spacing and rules (and have i mentioned that he still has all of that dirty tricks from year one?!). In his first year he was still with european mindset, more of a passer, traditional Guard.
"None of these is pre-planned"
ahhh Lionel Messi kind of gene.
I'm sure Luka benefitted a lot from starting playing bball so young with a father that was a pro in Europe. Add to that he was signed to Real Madrid at 13 and started playing with the big club at 16. When a young player of promise signs with a major club team they immediately start getting the benefit of elite skills development and competition. Then we see Luka becoming the MVP on a championship team at 18 in the second best pro league on the planet which is crazy. So this years results falls right in line with his continued development as crazy as they are. How teams could pass on him in the draft is even crazier especially when you consider that a couple had knowledgeable Euro basketball minds in positions of influence. If Luka is this good now, how good will he be in a couple years? Or five years?
You have to be in the 98th percentile to even get that contract. Luka is a Prodigy.
I've actually been wondering how he will be as an older player. Given his body type, I don't see him still dominating the league like LeBron is doing right now to be honest. All those step backs and drives to the rim will be taking a toll when he's old(er). In the best case scenario he'll be more like old Jordan, relying on his unrivalled mastery of the fundamentals. Don't get me wrong, I am a massive Doncic fan and he's the only NBA player I stay up for till 2am so I can watch his games here in the Netherlands. I just don't think his ceiling will be as high as LeBron's although I really hope I'm wrong.
@@yossarian644 Well he is playing even better than Lebron ever did right now. Facts. Numbers. And Im a huge Lebron Fan. Also, If you take care of your body and you have a bit of luck with injuries, like Lebron did, you can reach 35 at 75 80 % of you physical peak and be an even better player than you were when young because of experience and continued work on your game. Luka doesn't really depend on athleticism, last year he was thrown on the league after literally just 3 weeks out of competition, at 250 pounds plus I heard, at 18 and without knowing the league. He couldn't blow even by his hot mom. He still got his buckets. Now imagine how good Luka is going to be even at 35 like LBJ is now, and cower in fear. I get scared sometimes too.
@@yossarian644 You are wrong imo, I personally don't think he will stay in the NBA his whole career. He already said, after his NBA career, he wants to go back and play in the Euroleague.
@@KoKoNuTz232 Cool, didn't know that!
watching this video is just compounding my unwavering disbelief of luka
In an interview with Mark Cuban he said when Luka got to the Mavs his first season he wasn’t in great shape and that is how he played his first season then the following summer he was put into a special training to get him fit, his whole nutrition was changed, he was taught how to eat right for peak performance which he didn’t know and he started lifting weights for the first time in his life and what we are seeing this season is the result of that training, the guy can ball he just needed to get NBA fit, I think we have not seen anything yet, as his young body starts responding to the training he is going to explode in 3 to 4 years, some haters are saying what about the Clippers yesterday? And to that I say, he scored 22 points still highest in his team against the best defense in the League now but he had no help and on top of that the kid is 20 years old and just got to the league, how many 20 year olds were playing for the Clippers ? Kawhi is 28 and a league Veteran so give me a break with that shit!!!!
Exactly my words. He has literally NEVER worked with weights till this summer. Thats the way things go in europe, they don't work with weights until they finish growing. Also the level of nutrition and training in Europe is the main difference with the NBA and he has just started at this too. And In just one summer the results are already showing A LOT. He is quicker stronger and jumps higher than last year already. Now Imagine what this is going to b on 3 4 years like you jut pointed out. Right now guys like Lebron Kawhi or PG, guys with elite strenght and athleticism at the wing, still have an advantage over Luka, that sort of balances the overwhelming technical advantage Luka has over them. Now imagine that Luka gets to a level, where he is not quite LBJ or Paul George, but he is evenly matched with a prime Kawhi(2016 Kawhi). The athtleticism disadvantage vanishes, and his technique is still there, hence he will be the one dishing out dunks and blowing by. Now shudder in fear,
@@edmartinezdj9034 Well Luka was blowing by people and dunking on guys until the virus hit. Think how much stronger and more fit he'll be when the League starts up again. He may have also installed a gym in his house to stay in shape since the virus.
He doing they ass dirty now tho lol
I could almost cry at how good this kid is. And I was already watching him as a teeanager
I’ve been a fan since I saw him in international play and let me say this kid did not disappoint
He has the potential to be the Greatest Maverick of all time
he has the potential to be the greatest basketball player of all time
Must suck to be Nowitzki, and have your hall of fame career for a club possibly overshadowed just one year later lol.
@@alexanderkorte-stapff6824 dirk loves luka, man, and luka could use a HOF mentor
@@JimmyKillem69 Exactly my thoughts. If injuries respect him, we are going to find out what would Larry Bird have done if he started younger, nerver got injured and played on a higher paced basketball environment. HE CAN BE THE BEST EVER! HE IS THE BEST EVER AT HIS AGE SO FAR! BEST EVER BAR NO ONE.
True
Bruh why have I just found this page a week ago. Dude you are the absolute best. I thought I knew basketball players pretty well but you break them down for the novices to understand
Luka is my guy. I think he’ll have a great career. If he continues to work hard, the sky’s the limit. Long Live The Don.
The quality of your videos is insane. I hope you keep going up with this next level content. Keep it up
Love the way you break it down. Easy to follow vids with stats that don’t lie and yea Luka is playing out of his mind right now!
Its gonna be his league soon at the most two years he will be the best player in the league
He is already the best player in the league? I don’t know how anyone can compare to him aside from Giannis who have much higher defensive value.
But if you ask me who will have a bigger drop off in the postseason it would be Giannis as good teams look like they can scheme against his shooting weaknesses.
And please don’t tell me LeBron, luka is better in every metric and according to eye tests lebron isn’t way better defensively either.
@@wallstreetzoomer stop
Clippers Bandwagon
Any logical arguments?
@@wallstreetzoomer I was gonna ask you the same thing.
man you really found a gold mine with this doncic videos
The little hooking his arm around the screener thing is such a savvy move.
Luka is also great at reading how a defender positions their feet. I've never seen a 20 year old play with his level of craftiness and savvy.
Or the hip.
Hés like poker players who play the opponent and not the cards.
He does it very very well, i think he has rxtreme eye accuracy and mental speed to process all this info in real time. Invisible talent but one sees it just trumps verything else.
my dad has been watching baskeball closely for 40 years and he always says that luka is special and he reminds him of Larry Bird
@umar b Could be the "lack of athleticism" that people keeps saying and amazing basketball IQ as well. And yes he is the best white player since Bird so it's a fair statement. I think he's like a mix between Bird (not play style but for reasons i just mentioned), LeBron, and Magic. Put all 3 of those guys in a blender and you get Luka.
We’re gonna look at these short lived Lebron/Luka matchups like we did the MJ/Kobe games. Gotta say, I was sort of expecting Giannis to be the new “king” after Lebron retired, but it’s looking like it could be Luka😳
It gonna be Luka giannis not as complete of a player
Yea the League in the 2020s is going to be fantastic.
Lots of great players like Kat, Jokic, Embid, Zion, Trae, Giannis, Luka, Booker, etc.
So much talent its honestly really insane.
SoosUnknown can’t forget Trae and Zion
giannis, doncic are for sure gonna be on top with zion (if he could stay healthy - that would be a miracle) having a good chance to catch up.
bence tamás Zions ceiling is like Barkley/Blake Griffin with elite defense. You’re probably right about the injuries tho...
Luka is already a Top 10 player in the league. Plus he’s Slavic so you know he’s a beast. Great content as always he might just carry them to the playoffs this year, still shocked he wasn’t taken number 1
Oh they making the playoffs
Probably top 5
Not all Slavs are beasts but i get it...
And Formula one breaking - Best line ever!... Loved the video, wow im shocked. So Luka isnt pre-planning anything! Wow, making reads on the fly like that what an amazing player! Thanks Ben!
Saiz green light🎭
I've been following this kid even before he came into the NBA and one thing I've noticed over so many games is that he has the weirdest type of atlethisizm. I don't know what it is but you can't tell me he gets by defenders simply because of his handle. He's slow yet he can be kinda quick in a second etc. He can go really fast and than just stop in a second and get his balance right away. Is even more impressive since he is a big boy.
If you watch Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns, watch how he uses his arm, pushing away the opponents arm, holding his hand in ways that stop the defenders attempt. Luka has real good body control, so good at using his shoulder and body, hips, arm position, all help him judo move his way around you. He bumbs and stops his momentum on drives, he is like a freaking judo master.
Like Paul pierce
He's like James Harden. Not the greatest athlete but incredibly smart and skilled.
@@edged1001 Harden can get up there if he wants it
Luka plays at his slow speed b/c he can accelerate very quickly from almost standstill. He also has very good fakes which freeze guys guarding him so he can blow by them in a second. Luka is very quick off his slow dribble which lulls defenders to sleep. "Don't sleep on Luka" has become opposing coaches' plea because if you do he'll leave you behind very quickly. All that, he learned from his father and from his older Euroleague teammates.
the drive and no look kick at 6:29 is my favorite play from him this year
Inject this into my veins, please. This was awesome.
so many videos on doncic, and still not enough xd Keep it up!
I have NEVER seen a better P&R player than Luka is right now. When he gets into a P&R you just KNOW that it is going to be either a 1) high % finish in the paint 2) lob 3) open 3pt. it is insane
@umar b no he isnt. An I am a huge lebron fan. James dosnt shoot when defenders go under for most of the time, it is a huge down turn. He is close 2nd and better in some aspects, still q better overall player but when it comes to p&r there is noone right now who runs them better than luka.
The comparison with Bird is actually pretty accurate. The frame is the same, at 6-8, 6-9 with a big body but not a lot of athleticism, but huge basketball IQ, touch, and especially feel for the game. Both are incredibly gift in being able to read defenders, make basic and tough passes, and being incredible shooters.
loved the Go reference!
Great freakin video man. You just make sense. No bias. No fuckey graphs to skew how we thing. You just talk real metrics, AND include the eye test. Much love, and keep em coming
This question has been asked numerous times recently: How could three teams pass on Luka at the 2018 draft?
Today listening to the local ESPN Dallas radio station I heard what might be a possible explanation. An NBA scout told the story that he and many other NBA team scouts attended a couple of the Euro league’s 2018 playoff games to watch Luka play. In those two games Luka was outplayed and didn’t look anything like the star player he was supposed to be. All those scouts and front office people returned to the U.S with a bad impression of Luka’s abilities. He goes on to have a fantastic series and wins the Euro NBP. The NBA people are home mostly unimpressed. In those few days the future of three NBA franchises are decided for the next decade.
I’m sure there is more to this story than that but what that might be was not discussed during that ESPN Dallas radio sports show.
A very plausible explanation. That is very sloppy scouting. You have to follow a potential player for a long time. There is something called video. Deciding on an impression of 2 games seen live is a total neglect. You can do it but not in NBA too much money involved to be sloppy
Donnie Nelson did not listen to those naysayers. He was over there a lot watching the Euro games and he saw enough of Luka in his 18th year to bring video to Cuban. The rest is history. Cuban said Luka was at the top of their draft list so when he learned that the Hawks had drafted Luka but wanted Trae Young, he worked out that swap deal. And as it turns out, Trae has also vastly improved his game, plus the Hawks got the Mavs first pick in the next draft so the squeeze they put on Cuban worked out very well for them.
As a big Mavericks fan and the Texas native I am so glad we got Luca. I was worried when Dirk nowitzki retired. Dirk was one of my favorite players of all time. It's nice to see the Mavericks are in good hands going forward.
BRO WHY TF WOULD ALDRIDGE PASS IT TO WHITE ON THE FLOOR 🤣🤣🤣🤦🏾♂️
5 Sec inbound rule
those are jedi powers of luka skywalker
Belleboi it’s 5 mins left in the 3rd, call a timeout. Plus what was possibly gonna happen when he passed it to him there besides a turnover 🤣🤣🤣
@@The2KGOAT To be fair they just came off a timeout.
I honestly thought he was going to start the year with a sophomore slump. But he’s been a beast, there’s like no stopping him🔥🔥
excellent analysis. you, sir, just earned yourself a new subscriber :)
Another great video. I remember the pods from last year trying to stay calm with the hype.
He’s fantastic for the league. It’s great to have a player that plays below the rim, yet as entertaining as any freak athlete.
The warriors death and this lifeblood of great young talent is making the NBA the greatest sports league on the planet.
Looking at his brakes makes my ankles hurt.
I’ve been waiting about 2 weeks for this video. I knew it was coming
7:20 wtf
wtf indeed but no cap
My god man, I love the way you describe every move with so many details
Before watching the video I can say he is by far the best, he's doing something only 2 people have ever done, one of them did with way more possessions, so technically he's doing something only one person has managed before, It's just insane, I have no words, forget a 20 year old, it's one of the best ever seasons I'm seeing and I've seen Jordan play
One of the best channels on TH-cam for hoops junkies. Great stuff. Keep it up.
Luka Doncic is also the smartest basketball player in the world at age of 20
5:51 love the go reference man
Wooow I just realized that ad for The Athletic has a sneaking Lebron 7 rings reference 😂
My boy getting the love he deserves Vamos Luka
you earned a like from me when you said "lukas playing go" instead of the usual checkers chess metaphor everyone uses.. GO is more complicated than chess people!!
well, the game-play and strategy are more complicated. But the rules are much simpler than the rules of chess! Do you play?
@@bryonwitmen True but go is really really complex strategy wise, so overall I'd say go is harder than chess to master
@@crablord7934 what's go?
@@LeafyPeach A game that's sort of like chess but there are no differences in each piece. It's like commanding an entire army of soldiers in a sense.
@@crablord7934 I see,thanks for the info.
The data, graphics and analysis on this video sold me on your channel. Great work!!!!
Luka Legend!
He is very,very smart player, at the age of 20!He is beautiful to watch from game to game.I-we can't wait the next Mav's game to enjoy his ubelieveble talent.Finally someone from Europe has come (after Dražen Petrović) and done what he is doing wright now.... bravo neighbour Slovenian,just keeping doing what you doing best!!We in Europe know who you are,now it's time to whole world see what you can do...bravo Luka👋💥💥👌💯🔊🔊🔊
use me as the “Luka for MVP”
Thank god a new thinking basketball video
Can you please do a video revisiting Brandon Ingram
Another video, another fire content for Ben!
People are hype for Clips vs Lakers playoff series, and I'm just here like Clippers vs Dallas is where it's at. I want that series so bad.
@Clippers Suck that would also be good, but I wanna see Luka go up against elite defenders that game plan against him. Your name makes me think you might be just a little biased tho 🤣
Clippers Suck look at your user name you’re not biased at all 🤦🏽♂️ I really enjoyed Thinking Basketball comment sections before Lebron stans came in and ruined it. Stay away from intelligent basketball fans and go hang out on Bleacher Report with the rest of your kind.
8:40 I think you're talking about Kawhi here.
Huge Mavs and Luka fan by the way
Luka is like Lamar you feel you have a chance to score on every drive/possession they start
Lamar Jackson is the Luka Doncic of the NFL.
Also, he's incredibly nimble and athletic, just not in the obvious sense, one of the most athletic people I've seen in fact in some facets like his hand eye coordination, his low to high bounce, his control over speed, insane, not measurable and something you can't see unless you look
now i wonder how the clippers managed to limit him to just 4 field goals 14 free throws and ZERO threes made!
😂
Excellent analysis. These things should be taught everywhere at all levels.
Amazing, isnt he? And the whole career in front of him
This will never get old
im just gonna throw it out there that lebron was playing 42,4 minutes per game in his second season and luka is playing 33.3 minutes per game. thats nearly 1 quarter difference between them .
Because lebron had no help the 2nd best was anderson varjaue
This channel is my favorite. Just got your book as an early Christmas gift, loving it so far!
He’s like messi of basketball
Loved the "everyone playing checkers and Luka is play GO" reference!
Can we put to rest the question ofwho got the better end of the trade already?
Trae is potentially a perennial all star. Luka is a generational player at a talent level on par with Lebron.
This videos are amazing man, I thought I was a basketball nerd until I met this channel. I so much appreciate the work that you do. Thank you and keep em comin! 👍🏾
Amazing player to watch i don t know if he is best 20yer old ever or is he going to be best player ever, i only know that i enjoy watching him play and that is best thing about any athlete in the world
You guys keep forgetting the fact that Luka was playing professional basketball since he was 15 years old, for one of the best teams in whole Europe - Real Madrid. Since I'm from Serbia, I know all about him from the time he was nothing and nobody in USA. It's not strange that he is one of best players in NBA when he is professional player for almost 5 years, while rookies from USA came into their first year of professionalism.
Its not like he played since 16 cause of great athletism or anything
This dude could have played in the NBA at 16. He was already incredible in the euroleague
At 16 he would have been at the same basketball level, like mentally and by command of the game, as a one and done top prospect like Williamson or Barrett for example. Not physically obviously. If that experiment did happen, he would be doing the same things if not even crazier that he does now. Probably even crazier because he woudl be a more physically developed and athletic player than he is nowadays, and just 1 year of competition and a summer of proper nba level workout, has made a big difference for him. Thats the main difference, between getting 21 or 30. Every year hes going to step it up physically every summer between seasons he will come a bit faster stronger and more developed. Until he is 25 at least. He's 20. Now try to imagine how he is going to look at 25. Transform all those lay ups in dunks and cash in some defensive upgrades as well. That will produce more dunks. Now shudder slightly.
Throughout this video I just keep on yelling "THAT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE!"
Luka is incredible.
Very excited to see how he does against the clippers defence tonight
Luka magic made me use league pass just to watch his games 😂
@@MrMathsimon I was going to do that but then they hit me with the blackout in my free trial week. I guess it was good i found out about it before I gave them any money.
Hey man. That was a good video. Your take and insight are spot on. I liked him since he started. Now it only gets better.
This Is What When Your Country Doesn't Hold You Back With One Year Rules To Exploit Young Players For The NCAA Profit. Luka Was Allowed To Play Pro Since He Was 16
I watch Luka a lot but I couldn't realize that hook on the screeners. I didn't understand how he can always put his defenders on his back after a simple screen. You really point out all the small details that separate him from such a skilled player.
I hope he doesn't hurt his arm hooking up the screen like that
No kidding. That looks like a great way to get your arm broken if the defender is able to blast through.
Luka seems to be truly ambidextrous when it comes to his legs. He is able to jump off his right and his left really well. That kind of control is super useful when he gets those eurosteps and step backs out.
I mean, he's been a professional player since he was 13, so that plays some part in all this. Regardless, he's a generational talent and the next great point guard.
Why is that always used against him? That just shows how incredible of a player he is you dont see any other European players playing pro at 13 lol
@@jfull8807 I wouldn't say it's being used against him. He's miles better than everyone else because he has the most experience you can get as a young star. I agree that it helps his case because it meant he was a phenom from such a young age
he played with the youth teams and joined the first team at 16 years old
youth team at 13, pro team at 16
@@flubberbucketz6856 Pro at 16... Let me tell you, no one who played D1 college would have been chosen to play for Real Madrid, not even as a Reserve.
What a time to be alive as a Basketbal fan.
322 likes but no views ?
Now it is over 500 likes and still no views
@Thinking Basketball Go ? 5:50 ... quite the obscure reference, well done! :)
no views?
Just youtube doing youtube things
Gotta watch a certain percentage if the video to count as a view
O
loved this video and the recent pod on Great Debates, keep 'em coming!
He will be better than Jordan when it's all said and done.
You're the Luka of basketball videos. I thought you'd say Chess but you hit me with the Go.
Love your detailed analysis. Keep up the good work!
Great video. And I couldn't agree more. Certainly the greatest, smartest 20 year old player I've seen in over 40 years of watching basketball.
Please do one on Jonathan Isaac, I understand he is not a big name player, but his growth this year on the defensive end has been tremendous.
I wish the was a Thinking football(soccer). I don't watch Basketball at all but I've watched every video.