Luka Doncic is already dominating Europe this season
By Max Holm
Luka Doncic is going to have some strong competition for the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, but he’s putting everyone on notice early in the year.
A college freshman has gone No. 1 in the NBA Draft for the last eight years. Luka Doncic of Real Madrid is looking to break that streak. After an amazing summer where he helped his native Slovenia win EuroBasket 2017, the basketball equivalent of soccer’s Euros, Doncic had cemented himself in the conversation for 2018’s top pick.
After playing in a crowded backcourt last year, roster moves and a brutal injury for Spanish legend Sergio Llull have given Doncic more of what he needed last year: more minutes and the ball in his hands.
When Doncic has those things, he’s usually the best player on the court, even in Spain’s top league. So far this season, he has not disappointed with a bigger role and even larger expectations. He’s been nothing short of spectacular.
Doncic is dominant
What’s even more astounding is how efficient he’s been as well. In seven games currently on Sports Reference, between the Spanish league and EuroLeague, Doncic is averaging 15.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game shooting 50 percent from the field and over 81 percent from the free throw line. He’s doing all that despite shooting just 32 percent from 3.
That’s an interesting number for Doncic because between his free throw numbers and his ability to hit pull-up 3s, there shouldn’t be that much concern about the jumper. And yet, there’s that below-average 32 percent. We’ll have to see what it looks like in a few months time.
On a per-36 basis, Doncic’s numbers pop even more: 21.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists. That’s just ridiculous. Remember, Doncic is still only 18 and he’s putting these numbers up against the best of Spain and Europe.
Speaking of Europe, Doncic has taken his game to another level in the EuroLeague, basketball’s Champions League. It may be just four games, but he’s showing the ability to be a tremendous scorer, something that was a bit of a question mark for him.
https://twitter.com/Sportando/status/923645728668508160
Making history
What’s even more, he made history the other week by becoming the youngest player since 2000 with a PIR (Performance Index Rating) over 40, according to Euro Hoops. Just read how dominant he was in that game:
"“In order to reach 41, Doncic scored 27 points (tying his personal record), shooting with 5/9 two-pointers, 2/5 from beyond the arc and 11/12 from the line, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out five assists, stole the ball thrice, won 10 fouls and had just one turnover during less than 29 minutes he spent on the floor.”"
We saw glimpses of this from him last year when he was 17, but he’s just so mature and comfortable with the ball. Doncic is one of those players, even at 18, who the game just seems to come naturally to. The 6’8″ forward may one day be able to run an offense, at least out of the pick-and-roll, because of his size, feel and vision.
He makes passes that only generational talents flashed at that age. We’re talking Ben Simmons, LeBron James vision here. Adding more scoring to his passing and tough rebounding is developing his reputation more and more into a player with very few weaknesses. That’s been evident as he’s taken over the EuroLeague.
https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/924243139220688898
This culminated in Doncic picking up awards early in the season, as the league and world takes notice.
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There’s still room aboard the Doncic hype train, but seats are filling up faster by the day. Marvin Bagley III, Michael Porter Jr. and company have their work cut out for them to impress scouts and teams the way Doncic has out of the gates.