**Official Luka Doncic Thread**

[imbluestreak23]

[Derekbauer]

Originally Posted by tjforce

That's what I'm getting at here.

If a week or two from now, Steph Curry is telling us that Luka is the man because he sent him packing to Cancun, that's a much different story than getting shown the door by the Dubs.

People rip on Jokic for not being able to win in the playoffs, yet he took them to the Western Conference Finals when he was 24.

100% Agree that this season will be forgotten with a loss to the Warriors.

As for Jokic let’s not forget the historic stretch from Jamal Murray. To be honest when I think about that run from the Nuggets I only remember Murray’s 50 point games. Obviously Jokic was the anchor but he got wayyy more help than Luka can dream of.

[RogerGodahell]

Jokic was actually 25 when he got to the WCF but it counts in the record books as him being 24 that season. Same thing with Doncic he turned 23 in Feb but this is his 22 year old season in the record books.

[Spacemanspif]

Bruhhh I was excited to see this come in today, but my heart skipped a beat when I saw the cracked case. Going to inspect it closer tonight, but if you’re going to send cards worth hundreds of dollars in the mail, for the love of god please send in a box with layers of padding, and not in bubble mailers with no cardboard sandwich!

[Asian62150]

I think most of us are excited Luka got this far bc we said a successful season was getting out of the 1st round.

Someday I hope we get to the point where we're disappointed Luka didn't make the Conference Finals/Finals because he's been there 10x in a row.

For reference/comparison, MJ's playoff history is:

4th year: OUT in 2nd round
5th year: OUT in ECF (6 games)
6th year: OUT in ECF (7 games)
7th year: 1st title

Btw, starting that 7th year (1990-1998), MJ never lost 3 games in a row in a Bulls uniform (626 games). Next closest in NBA history is Steph around 350 games but his streak was broken this season.

[RogerGodahell]

Dang that sucks. That's why i don't use bubble mailers. USPS small flat rate box (they're free get them on the USPS website) with the card wrapped in bubble wrap. Yes it costs more for the buyer in shipping but i've never had anyone complain yet. It looks good nice and neat and protects the cards.

https://store.usps.com/store/product...ox-P_SMALL_FRB

[RogerGodahell]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

I think most of us are excited Luka got this far bc we said a successful season was getting out of the 1st round.

Someday I hope we get to the point where we're disappointed Luka didn't make the Conference Finals/Finals because he's been there 10x in a row.

For reference/comparison, MJ's playoff history is:

4th year: OUT in 2nd round
5th year: OUT in ECF (6 games)
6th year: OUT in ECF (7 games)
7th year: 1st title

Btw, starting that 7th year (1990-1998), MJ never lost 3 games in a row in a Bulls uniform (626 games). Next closest in NBA history is Steph around 350 games but his streak was broken this season.

That's the point i got at as a Patriots fan. It was Super Bowl or bust every year. Making the playoffs did nothing for me excitement wise. Playoffs was pretty much a given.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

That's the point i got at as a Patriots fan. It was Super Bowl or bust every year. Making the playoffs did nothing for me excitement wise. Playoffs was pretty much a given.

If we ever get to the point where we’re legitimately comparing Luka to Brady, I’ll be thrilled.

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Jokic was actually 25 when he got to the WCF but it counts in the record books as him being 24 that season. Same thing with Doncic he turned 23 in Feb but this is his 22 year old season in the record books.

Here I was thinking all season long that this is his age-23 season. He's 22 this season and this good already?

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Derekbauer

100% Agree that this season will be forgotten with a loss to the Warriors.

As for Jokic let’s not forget the historic stretch from Jamal Murray. To be honest when I think about that run from the Nuggets I only remember Murray’s 50 point games. Obviously Jokic was the anchor but he got wayyy more help than Luka can dream of.

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Jokic was actually 25 when he got to the WCF but it counts in the record books as him being 24 that season. Same thing with Doncic he turned 23 in Feb but this is his 22 year old season in the record books.

Anybody who is picking at the details of my statement is missing the point.

But I also don't want to be too harsh if they lose. There's more context to be added by the way it goes down. A sweep or a 4-1 loss where Luka looks human makes it look like they weren't that close and they'll need to prove they can take the next step next season to get the credit they deserve. On the other hand, a 6 or 7 game series where Luka is the best player on the court and plays unbelievably but just can't overcome the superior team (like what we saw last round with Giannis) will still add to the Luka Lore and set things up for next year to put it all together and not revert back to the mean like the Hawnks did.

Regardless, it's so early in his story that anything that happens can just be prologue to what's to come.

My prediction is something along the lines of the latter scenario I mentioned. I think Luka puts up monster numbers, but the depth, experience, coaching, and home court advantage of the Warriors is too much. I hope I'm wrong and the only two things that would really shock me would be if Luka or Steph just laid total eggs this series like CP3 and Booker did.

[beavers]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Dang that sucks. That's why i don't use bubble mailers. USPS small flat rate box (they're free get them on the USPS website) with the card wrapped in bubble wrap. Yes it costs more for the buyer in shipping but i've never had anyone complain yet. It looks good nice and neat and protects the cards.

https://store.usps.com/store/product...ox-P_SMALL_FRB

Nice! Just placed an order, thanks!

[RedMike]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Anybody who is picking at the details of my statement is missing the point.

But I also don't want to be too harsh if they lose. There's more context to be added by the way it goes down. A sweep or a 4-1 loss where Luka looks human makes it look like they weren't that close and they'll need to prove they can take the next step next season to get the credit they deserve. On the other hand, a 6 or 7 game series where Luka is the best player on the court and plays unbelievably but just can't overcome the superior team (like what we saw last round with Giannis) will still add to the Luka Lore and set things up for next year to put it all together and not revert back to the mean like the Hawnks did.

Regardless, it's so early in his story that anything that happens can just be prologue to what's to come.

My prediction is something along the lines of the latter scenario I mentioned. I think Luka puts up monster numbers, but the depth, experience, coaching, and home court advantage of the Warriors is too much. I hope I'm wrong and the only two things that would really shock me would be if Luka or Steph just laid total eggs this series like CP3 and Booker did.

I just have a very hard time seeing them lose 4-1 or worst. We will see but its going to be a battle - 6 games atleast imo (with MAVS WINNING!)

[Matt24]

Originally Posted by Spacemanspif

Bruhhh I was excited to see this come in today, but my heart skipped a beat when I saw the cracked case. Going to inspect it closer tonight, but if you’re going to send cards worth hundreds of dollars in the mail, for the love of god please send in a box with layers of padding, and not in bubble mailers with no cardboard sandwich!

or if you are going to send cards in the mail don't do what I found out I did today. Back on April 10th on myslabs I sold a Luka Green PSA 9. Today I sold a Luka Green PSA 10 and went to prepare for shipping and couldn't find it. I sure did find that Luka Green PSA 9 though so I apparently sent the guy a Green PSA 10 instead of the PSA 9 back in April. I reached out, looks like he's a mechanical engineer in Dallas, maybe he's been buying a bunch and didn't notice. This was on myslabs fwiw, I feel like a better chance of resolution than if it happened on ebay.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by Derekbauer

100% Agree that this season will be forgotten with a loss to the Warriors.

As for Jokic let’s not forget the historic stretch from Jamal Murray. To be honest when I think about that run from the Nuggets I only remember Murray’s 50 point games. Obviously Jokic was the anchor but he got wayyy more help than Luka can dream of.

lol how?

Brunson and Dinwiddie combined to go 22-34 and 7-11 from 3 in Game 7. Good for 54 points. Not to take away from Murray, because he was amazing in the bubble, but it's not "wayyy more help". Brunson and Dinwiddie were nearly perfect, can't fault them for their play in the clutch must-win games.

[Derekbauer]

Originally Posted by daeve

lol how?

Brunson and Dinwiddie combined to go 22-34 and 7-11 from 3 in Game 7. Good for 54 points. Not to take away from Murray, because he was amazing in the bubble, but it's not "wayyy more help". Brunson and Dinwiddie were nearly perfect, can't fault them for their play in the clutch must-win games.

Murray averaged 31+ points the first round. Scored 50+ twice.

Luka got big help game 7 no doubt. But Murray’s first round performance was historical and there’s no comparison between that and the support Luka received for the whole series.

[jmcca170]

Latest pickup




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[TSonn]

Originally Posted by jmcca170

Latest pickup




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OOOO i want it.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by Derekbauer

Murray averaged 31+ points the first round. Scored 50+ twice.

Luka got big help game 7 no doubt. But Murray’s first round performance was historical and there’s no comparison between that and the support Luka received for the whole series.

Right, because Jokic' play-style is that he is more than willing to defer, to whoever is hot or whoever has the most wide open shot. That's not Luka's style. He took as many 3's as his co-stars combined. I'm not saying that was bad, but clearly Dinwiddie+Brunson did as well as they could given that Luka prefers to shoot a lot.

[Derekbauer]

Originally Posted by daeve

Right, because Jokic' play-style is that he is more than willing to defer, to whoever is hot or whoever has the most wide open shot. That's not Luka's style. He took as many 3's as his co-stars combined. I'm not saying that was bad, but clearly Dinwiddie+Brunson did as well as they could given that Luka prefers to shoot a lot.

Kind of arguing apples and oranges I guess. I just personally think Murray outshined Jokic a good part of that playoff run. That was my reasoning for disagreeing with the comparison between 2020 Jokic and 2022 Luka. Either way if the help continues it’s gonna be a heck of a series!

[Derekbauer]

And to clarify I know TJ was just using that as a reference and not actually making a direct comparison.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by Derekbauer

Kind of arguing apples and oranges I guess. I just personally think Murray outshined Jokic a good part of that playoff run. That was my reasoning for disagreeing with the comparison between 2020 Jokic and 2022 Luka. Either way if the help continues it’s gonna be a heck of a series!

Murray put up 31.6/5.6/6.3 with crazy %s of 55/92/53 (and like 4.5 3s/game)

If any of Luka's teammates average anywhere close to Murray's output and %s, the Mavs have a very good chance of beating the Warriors.

But honestly, I think it comes down to the Mavs D. They look legit but they gotta play for 48. The Grizz let up for like 3 min towards the end of G6 and it went from a 1 point pressure cooker to a Warriors party.

This isn't the 2015 Warriors, but they can still score points in bunches.

[RogerGodahell]

Brunson is a career 12 PPG scorer 3.7 AST, and 3 REB. He's been pretty good in the playoffs and decent this season but let's not get carried away. He'll probably never make an All-Star team ( i hope i'm wrong). He's a scorer and can pass some but he's mainly a scorer. Doncic makes everyone better and their life easier. Everyone on the team gets wide open 3's because of him because they throw the kitchen sink at him to try and stop him.

They do need what Brunson and Dinwiddie can provide though even though they are not All-Star caliber players because Doncic can't sustain that style of play for 40 mins every game. They've found a good balance. Other teams don't really know how to defend them when Doncic doesn't have the ball. He's starting to play off the ball more and in the post which is good. We're seeing growth before our eyes these playoffs. It lets him rest a bit more. He'll still get his touches and it adds another wrinkle to the offense. I think they'll continue to play that way going forward and expand upon it.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Brunson is a career 12 PPG scorer 3.7 AST, and 3 REB. He's been pretty good in the playoffs and decent this season but let's not get carried away. He'll probably never make an All-Star team ( i hope i'm wrong). He's a scorer and can pass some but he's mainly a scorer. Doncic makes everyone better and their life easier. Everyone on the team gets wide open 3's because of him because they throw the kitchen sink at him to try and stop him.

They do need what Brunson and Dinwiddie can provide though even though they are not All-Star caliber players because Doncic can't sustain that style of play for 40 mins every game. They've found a good balance. Other teams don't really know how to defend them when Doncic doesn't have the ball. He's starting to play off the ball more and in the post which is good. We're seeing growth before our eyes these playoffs. It lets him rest a bit more. He'll still get his touches and it adds another wrinkle to the offense. I think they'll continue to play that way going forward and expand upon it.

Yes. This is why I'm hesitant to spend money on Brunson. He's been a bright spot in the playoffs but he's basically at his ceiling right now and that's because of Luka.

I guess it depends on how much he's going to ask for.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Brunson is a career 12 PPG scorer 3.7 AST, and 3 REB. He's been pretty good in the playoffs and decent this season but let's not get carried away. He'll probably never make an All-Star team ( i hope i'm wrong). He's a scorer and can pass some but he's mainly a scorer. Doncic makes everyone better and their life easier. Everyone on the team gets wide open 3's because of him because they throw the kitchen sink at him to try and stop him.

They do need what Brunson and Dinwiddie can provide though even though they are not All-Star caliber players because Doncic can't sustain that style of play for 40 mins every game. They've found a good balance. Other teams don't really know how to defend them when Doncic doesn't have the ball. He's starting to play off the ball more and in the post which is good. We're seeing growth before our eyes these playoffs. It lets him rest a bit more. He'll still get his touches and it adds another wrinkle to the offense. I think they'll continue to play that way going forward and expand upon it.

you're using his career numbers [mostly when he was a bench player] ... when he was 22nd in the league in Raptor WAR this year.

Don't like Raptor? He was in the 86th percentile in epm and 92nd% in epm's EstimatedWins. Nobody is saying he's "better" than Murray, but he was pretty damn good this year, and for a "one star team" he's a very good #2.

For comparison, J Murray was 47th in Raptor WAR last year.

[TSonn]

What's the word on THJ? Any chance he comes back this series or (hopefully) the finals?