**Official Luka Doncic Thread**

[CanadianKid]

I am no social justice warrior but in this case I can be converted if it means Luka is MVP.

[RogerGodahell]

Originally Posted by Tallboy

I think it's important not to fall into the trap of assuming that betting odds represent "smart money", and definitely not based on precise assessment of value contributed so far.

Doncic looms large in MVP talks because we all see the route for him to get there, but to this point this year, things haven't been working that well for him on the Mavs.

If things continue as they are, I could see a future where Doncic ends up leading his team through the post-season in a way that cements his reputation as "best player in the world" despite not actually being anywhere near the literal "most valuable player" of the regular season.

Things are working out fine for him. His PPG are down a little as he's started the season off kind of cold shooting the ball. He does have a new coaching staff with a different approach they're trying to run. There's going to be an adjustment period. They are winning games though and that is what is important. They were not going to win anything or even contend with Luka being the only one on the team doing all of the lifting. Stats are great but we want wins too.

They didn't get any big names or make a splash in the off season but they're making due with what they've got which is basically the same scoring guys as they've had the last 2 years.

Bullock, Brown, Brown, and Ntilikina don't add much to the offense but i feel like they've improved the overall team defense a little. These are all bargain bin clearance guys we're talking about here so you can't expect a ton out of them.

The biggest difference i've seen this year is KP and Brunson playing much better. Luka's had to adjust his game some to let those guys carry more of the load and responsibility. That should make them a better team overall and i think it has so far. It looked real ugly the first few games but it seems like they're starting to gel. KP's so fragile though we just have to keep our fingers crossed he can stay healthy and keep playing the way he has. We want him to be bubble Porzingis, if he can do that then they're a real threat of making some noise in the playoffs. Especially if you can also get 15-20 points a night out of Brunson and Hardaway.

There's gonna be some learning curves and adjustments along the way but so far so good i think it's still really early. They're winning and Luka's going to start shooting the ball better. I have to say they're playing better than i thought they might under Kidd. From everything i've read all of the players seem to like playing for him so that's good.

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Things are working out fine for him. His PPG are down a little as he's started the season off kind of cold shooting the ball. He does have a new coaching staff with a different approach they're trying to run. There's going to be an adjustment period. They are winning games though and that is what is important. They were not going to win anything or even contend with Luka being the only one on the team doing all of the lifting. Stats are great but we want wins too.

They didn't get any big names or make a splash in the off season but they're making due with what they've got which is basically the same scoring guys as they've had the last 2 years.

Bullock, Brown, Brown, and Ntilikina don't add much to the offense but i feel like they've improved the overall team defense a little. These are all bargain bin clearance guys we're talking about here so you can't expect a ton out of them.

The biggest difference i've seen this year is KP and Brunson playing much better. Luka's had to adjust his game some to let those guys carry more of the load and responsibility. That should make them a better team overall and i think it has so far. It looked real ugly the first few games but it seems like they're starting to gel. KP's so fragile though we just have to keep our fingers crossed he can stay healthy and keep playing the way he has. We want him to be bubble Porzingis, if he can do that then they're a real threat of making some noise in the playoffs. Especially if you can also get 15-20 points a night out of Brunson and Hardaway.

There's gonna be some learning curves and adjustments along the way but so far so good i think it's still really early. They're winning and Luka's going to start shooting the ball better. I have to say they're playing better than i thought they might under Kidd. From everything i've read all of the players seem to like playing for him so that's good.

So far this year the team performed poorly with Luka on the court, and has performed better, scoreboard-wise, with Luka on the bench. That's the opposite of what we expect from an MVP.

Now before folks react with too much vitriol:

I'm not making any big statement against Luka's capacity to play basketball. I stand in awe of him just like the rest of you.

Nor am I saying anything along the lines "the team would be better off without him".

I won't be shocked if at any point Luka starts showing amazing impact.

But through the season to this point, that's just not what's happened.

[RogerGodahell]

They aren't playing better without him don't be ridiculous. You're analyzing box scores and advanced metrics too much. How did they do without him? They didn't win a single game. They're 10-4 with him and 0-3 without him. I don't care what advanced metrics and box scores say. Luka is the best player on the team and when your best player isn't playing you are not a better team. The Mavs are on pace for 50+ wins this year. Do you really think they could achieve that without Luka? I do not.

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

They aren't playing better without him don't be ridiculous. You're analyzing box scores and advanced metrics too much. How did they do without him? They didn't win a single game. They're 10-4 with him and 0-3 without him. I don't care what advanced metrics and box scores say. Luka is the best player on the team and when your best player isn't playing you are not a better team. The Mavs are on pace for 50+ wins this year. Do you really think they could achieve that without Luka? I do not.

You're talking as if you're rebutting what I'm saying, but we're just talking past each other.

I think I'll leave the thread because this is clearly going to become too combative.

Looking forward to seeing what Luka will do as his career unfolds.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Tallboy

So far this year the team performed poorly with Luka on the court, and has performed better, scoreboard-wise, with Luka on the bench. That's the opposite of what we expect from an MVP.

Now before folks react with too much vitriol:

I'm not making any big statement against Luka's capacity to play basketball. I stand in awe of him just like the rest of you.

Nor am I saying anything along the lines "the team would be better off without him".

I won't be shocked if at any point Luka starts showing amazing impact.

But through the season to this point, that's just not what's happened.

Assuming you’re just looking at his net per 100 possessions being negative, that’s a very naive take. Two of the three lineups he’s played the most minutes with are negative.

Luka/DFS/THJ/KP/Powell
Luka/Bullock/DFS/THJ/Powell

Powell is nothing more than a body. DFS and THJ have had very slow starts. And Bullock has been downright awful. Luka needs to shoot better, but he’s not a problem on this team right now.

[mbuch21]

The Nuggets string of injuries probably all but eliminates Jokic from the race. Team will now struggle to make the playoffs, even if Jokic continues to play all time epic basketball.

[Moneychrome20]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Luka isn’t even top 5 right now. Anyone who thinks so doesn’t watch basketball.

I’m proud of you sir but yes this is the truth but he is playing good but he does has some help but yeah I’m not sure who is the mvp so far

[jmcca170]

Imagine arguing about who the MVP is in November…


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[PSA2Pac]

Originally Posted by Moneychrome20

I’m proud of you sir but yes this is the truth but he is playing good but he does has some help but yeah I’m not sure who is the mvp so far

Fascinating analysis.

[gregboise]

Would like to see Luka put some work into the weight room, develop some cut/more upper body strength


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[CanadianKid]

Originally Posted by gregboise

Would like to see Luka put some work into the weight room, develop some cut/more upper body strength


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If it aint broke...

[RedMike]

Originally Posted by gregboise

Would like to see Luka put some work into the weight room, develop some cut/more upper body strength


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I wish he looks like Lebron myself, but it really isn't his game.

I do hope he pulls a JOKIC one of these days and commit to losing weight and eating healthy.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by gregboise

Would like to see Luka put some work into the weight room, develop some cut/more upper body strength


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Agreed..

Luka can talk about not being a muscle guy all he wants, but if he was to become a little stronger and leaner (which he will lose his puppy fat) he'll go to another level.

I do think Dallas played pretty well without him. I think this team is gonna make noise come Playoff time

[Sirwin30]

Wanted to get some opinions, would you prefer a encased card or a psa 9 grade of the same one?

Wanted to make some pickups, personally the graded feels/looks better, but wanted to see what others thought.


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[TimBuckTwo]

My name is Luka. I live on the second flaaoooorrr.

[Onepocketj]

Originally Posted by TimBuckTwo

My name is Luka. I live on the second flaaoooorrr.

I think I've seen you before.

[ALBASKETBALL]

Excited for Luka v Mobley tonight.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by ALBASKETBALL

Excited for Luka v Mobley tonight.

Excited for Luka vs Garland tonight...

I haven't been able to watch much Luka this year, but I've always enjoyed it in the past.

Should be a pretty good game, I hope.

[KhalDrogo]

Go Mavs. Hope THJ and Bullock shoot better. Brunson is back. And Moses Brown is starting.

[Onepocketj]

Luka time!

[tjforce]

If Luka is going to hit 3s like that Cavs are in for some trouble.

[Onepocketj]

Damn I hate watching KP throw up bricks

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by tjforce

If Luka is going to hit 3s like that Cavs are in for some trouble.

You clearly have not watched the Mavs play this year.

[KhalDrogo]

Hard to watch this team. How long does Bullock get to work himself out of this slump? He is a cancer out there.