**Official Luka Doncic Thread**

[Onepocketj]

Originally Posted by The_Reverend

Totally in on Luka, but not the Mavs! 44 on only 20 shots. And the fact KP got blocked was all I needed to see. You 7 foot and trying to lay the ball in at the rim.

Even the announcers were ragging on him for that one. Standing under the rim and gets blocked because of how weak he goes up. Just sad.

[Hail2TheVictors]

What a massive game from Luka last night. 44 points on 20 shots? The stat line from his last 2 games is awfully nice to see.

They really needed that W last night, frustrating that they didn't get it.

[TheGZA]

Luka's last 5 games

36.8 PPG
9.4 APG
8.0 RPG

53 FG%
47 3P%
81 FT%

I'm calling it now....this guy might end up being a pretty not bad player.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by TheGZA

Luka's last 5 games

36.8 PPG
9.4 APG
8.0 RPG

53 FG%
47 3P%
81 FT%

I'm calling it now....this guy might end up being a pretty not bad player.

He’s now shooting 34% from three. Currently at career highs for FG%, 3P%, and FT%.

[Ross]

Now if he could only make the playoffs. It’s funny how Shaq can critique other stars as needing help but never say a word about king luka. Looks like luka needs help too. Stat loading is cool, but winning is the objective.


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[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Ross

Now if he could only make the playoffs. It’s funny how Shaq can critique other stars as needing help but never say a word about king luka. Looks like luka needs help too. Stat loading is cool, but winning is the objective.


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He’s not stat loading though. Game last night is a perfect example. Plays out of his mind and they lose because KP and THJ don’t show up. He can’t do it all himself, but he’s pretty close.

[Hail2TheVictors]

Originally Posted by Ross

Now if he could only make the playoffs. It’s funny how Shaq can critique other stars as needing help but never say a word about king luka. Looks like luka needs help too. Stat loading is cool, but winning is the objective.


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They will make the playoffs.

Stat loading? Some of you guys need to watch the games. The guy isn't "stat loading".

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Hail2TheVictors

They will make the playoffs.

Stat loading? Some of you guys need to watch the games. The guy isn't "stat loading".

Hope they get the 8th and the jazz can wipe the floor with em.

Look he’s a generational player but my point is even someone as good as he is still needs additional star talent. Even he can’t do it alone Shaq...


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[bloodwings19]

He isn't stat-loading, I'm not a Mavericks fan. If he was, he would of been getting rebounds unlike Russell and Harden.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by bloodwings19

He isn't stat-loading, I'm not a Mavericks fan. If he was, he would of been getting rebounds unlike Russell and Harden.

Fine stat loading is harsh. He gets a lot of stats and they are 13-15, firmly in the 10 slot.


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[jmcca170]

Lol “stat loading”. If his teammates were hitting wide open threes at better than a 15% or so clip, he’d be averaging somewhere around 15-16 assists instead of the 8 or 9 he’s at now lol


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[KhalDrogo]

Nat is posting Luka on IG this morning. Not the typical Nat Turner buy. Wonder how much he has.

[Akphillips86]

Originally Posted by Ross

Hope they get the 8th and the jazz can wipe the floor with em.

Look he’s a generational player but my point is even someone as good as he is still needs additional star talent. Even he can’t do it alone Shaq...


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You know very well I love this Jazz team and they would slay the Mavericks in a series, but this would be no fault of Luka’s. Shaq was a great player, but I have a hard time taking much of Shaq’s “insight” seriously, especially regarding Mitchell. I don’t think Luka is as much stat padding as just having to be Atlas and carry a lackluster team on his shoulders.

I completely agree with you that Luka can’t do it alone. Just like Giannis and Zion, they are all world class talents that are missing key components on their teams to experience true postseason success.

It’s going to get really scary if Luka ever teams up with Giannis or Zion. I can just imagine Luka a couple years down the road calling up one of these guys after a long hard fought game where the Mavs comes up short:

“Hey, it’s Luka, I’m done trying to win with these guys. How do you feel about coming to Dallas and wrecking the league?”


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[KhalDrogo]

If Giannis hadn’t extended and signed with Dallas this offseason instead, they’d be the hands down favorite to win it all next year. Giannis is exactly what they are missing on both ends. A pick and roll nightmare pairing with Luka, and a defensive force in the paint. Just 2-3 better defensive possessions gets them the W last night, and probably 5 more additional wins so far.

[rw7183]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Nat is posting Luka on IG this morning. Not the typical Nat Turner buy. Wonder how much he has.

Just a matter of time before any Luka auto is "Nat Turner" buy. He's smart guy. Knows Luka is likely never signing for Panini again.

[dkcardman]

The guy id love to see on this team is Nikola Vucevic.
Very underrated. Excels at all the things and positions the mavs need help with right now. And he's European so why not!?!?!? Unfortunately I don't know what the Mavs have in any category that is trade worthy whether a player or draft pics..

[TSonn]

Originally Posted by dkcardman

The guy id love to see on this team is Nikola Vucevic.
Very underrated. Excels at all the things and positions the mavs need help with right now. And he's European so why not!?!?!? Unfortunately I don't know what the Mavs have in any category that is trade worthy whether a player or draft pics..

As a Magic fan that's not a bad idea. Vuc is terrible on defense and rarely gets to the FT line (because he prefers to take dumb long 2 pointers), but he and Luka would be nearly unstoppable on offense and Vuc would help with defensive boards. Probably a net gain if they'd swap KP for Vuc (which the Magic might actually be interested in).

[Derekbauer]

Finally had a chance to watch the second half. Had to give the wife my attention last night. Dang V-Day!!

Blazers got some big games from their role players last night. Covington and Simons killed them from deep. It happens. Mavs role guys couldn't match them.

Defense in general was a little better but KP continues to kill them. I don't expect him to guard Lillard but he just got manhandled by Kanter multiple times. He also failed to help on a Lillard drive in the clutch and gave up an easy layup. Not to mention his lack of hustle which ended up in a posterized dunk on an offensive rebound. If his shot isn't falling I don't think he should be in the game at all.

The "stat padder" guy up there is just laughable. If anything he needed to take way more shots last nights.

Unfortunately as long as KP is playing on this team with a max deal they are going to have a hard time competing for a title. Trading him needs to be a priority. It's gonna cost them a lot of 1st rounders and probably someone like Brunson/Hardaway but if they want to build a contender around Luka it has to be done.

And for the record, whoever calls Luka a crybaby should probably watch Lillard more as well. He cries even more.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Derekbauer

Defense in general was a little better but KP continues to kill them. I don't expect him to guard Lillard but he just got manhandled by Kanter multiple times. He also failed to help on a Lillard drive in the clutch and gave up an easy layup. Not to mention his lack of hustle which ended up in a posterized dunk on an offensive rebound. If his shot isn't falling I don't think he should be in the game at all.

Rick shouldn’t have brought him back in down the stretch. Would rather have WCS out there. He’s not good by any measure, but at least provides a semblance of hope on the defensive end.

[Hail2TheVictors]

Originally Posted by Ross

Hope they get the 8th and the jazz can wipe the floor with em.

Look he’s a generational player but my point is even someone as good as he is still needs additional star talent. Even he can’t do it alone Shaq...


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So what is your point?

Yes - everyone who follows basketball understands that 1 guy alone isn't winning anything. With teams like the Lakers, Nets, etc there is no way you are winning one without another star. The Mavs have swung and missed so badly (to date) with the roster that they may end up losing Luka. The Mavs GM, yikes. And then Carlisle can't seem to figure out his rotation to maximize what they have. The franchise hasn't done Luka any favors, unfortunately.

As someone rooting for Luka (and thus, the Mavs) I wouldn't be upset with them getting Utah in the first round. Utah would likely win, but that isn't a matchup that should frighten anyone.

[Derekbauer]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Rick shouldn’t have brought him back in down the stretch. Would rather have WCS out there. He’s not good by any measure, but at least provides a semblance of hope on the defensive end.

100% agree. He's more agile on the perimeter as well to help on guys like Lillard. Not to mention WCS actually fights for offensive rebounds. I think KP's playing time will completely depend on how he's playing on offense. That's not what a max contract guy is supposed to be.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Derekbauer

100% agree. He's more agile on the perimeter as well to help on guys like Lillard. Not to mention WCS actually fights for offensive rebounds. I think KP's playing time will completely depend on how he's playing on offense. That's not what a max contract guy is supposed to be.

Unfortunately, I think KP’s playing time is determined by how much money he makes. On his off nights last like night, he should ride the bench in the clutch. But he makes too much to do that.

According to BR, our top four lineups with Luka in them do not feature KP. That’s a problem.

[brock]

Originally Posted by rw7183

Just a matter of time before any Luka auto is "Nat Turner" buy. He's smart guy. Knows Luka is likely never signing for Panini again.

I would not take this rumor to the bank.

[21Pittsburgh58]

Originally Posted by Derekbauer

Finally had a chance to watch the second half. Had to give the wife my attention last night. Dang V-Day!!

Blazers got some big games from their role players last night. Covington and Simons killed them from deep. It happens. Mavs role guys couldn't match them.

Defense in general was a little better but KP continues to kill them. I don't expect him to guard Lillard but he just got manhandled by Kanter multiple times. He also failed to help on a Lillard drive in the clutch and gave up an easy layup. Not to mention his lack of hustle which ended up in a posterized dunk on an offensive rebound. If his shot isn't falling I don't think he should be in the game at all.

The "stat padder" guy up there is just laughable. If anything he needed to take way more shots last nights.

Unfortunately as long as KP is playing on this team with a max deal they are going to have a hard time competing for a title. Trading him needs to be a priority. It's gonna cost them a lot of 1st rounders and probably someone like Brunson/Hardaway but if they want to build a contender around Luka it has to be done.

And for the record, whoever calls Luka a crybaby should probably watch Lillard more as well. He cries even more.

Dame Lillard is definitely a whiner (his nickname tells the whole story). Overrated.

[RogerGodahell]

It would be nice if Donnie Nelson and Cuban would try to do something before the trade deadline. The sooner the better.

Package up some of that dead weight and ship it off.

The Mavs have 2 major problems and they both revolve mainly around KP. A lack of a big man who willingly plays and fights hard in the paint. They aren't getting good looks inside besides Luka. They also aren't getting good interior defense and rebounding also KP's area. It's pretty bad when your your best inside scorer and rebounder is your PG.

Luka is amazing but he and the Mavs need help in those areas. It's absolutely killing them. When they play a team with a good interior scoring center KP looks even worse. Gobert and Ayton torched them. If Luka had a good inside scoring center like that it would be lob city.

They need someone with a lot more grit who can play inside on both ends. I don't want a 7-3'' guy who just wants to shoot 3's. It's great when he makes them but that seems like 1 out of every 4-5 games and then he's pretty much non existent.