NBA scouts and executives believe Luka Doncic belongs in elite company
Dallas, Texas — There are few players in the NBA in which greatness is expected. Luka Doncic is one of them. In his short career, he's earned two All-NBA First Team selections and has carried the Dallas Mavericks to two playoff appearances, with a third one looming. So, it was no surprise when an ESPN […]
Dallas, Texas — There are few players in the NBA in which greatness is expected.
Luka Doncic is one of them. In his short career, he's earned two All-NBA First Team selections and has carried the Dallas Mavericks to two playoff appearances, with a third one looming. So, it was no surprise when an ESPN survey that asked 15 NBA scouts to rank six young star guards, Doncic landed at the top of the shortlist.
The guards on the list were LaMelo Ball, Doncic, Darius Garland, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trae Young, and Ja Morant.
ESPN survey results
Doncic led the bunch with 86 survey points. Morant came in second with 75 points. Then it was Young with 55, and Ball with 38.
That makes sense.
Doncic this season is averaging 28 points per game, 9.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists. And since the All-Star break, Doncic increased his production to 31 points and 9.8 rebounds a game.
He's special.
The one drawback of his play by NBA scouts is his propensity to come into the season out of shape.
"I would probably put Luka ahead of Ja, big picture, but I'll put Ja ahead because of Luka's conditioning [worries] every offseason," an Eastern Conference scout said to ESPN. "Luka's more talented, but I like Ja's approach more."
The good news is, Doncic appears to have changed his ways. He is in shape and as a result, he's aided Dallas in achieving an 11-4 record in the last 15 games. And some of those wins include two victories against Golden State — one in comeback fashion — the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings.
Doncic has Dallas peaking at the right time of the season. And when he's on, the Mavericks are a threat to anyone in the Western Conference.
"Luka is by himself, a generational talent," a west executive said to ESPN.
If that is the NBA's belief in Doncic, it's no surprise he came out on top of the list. It's also no surprise that he is torching opposing teams. But with someone as good and as young as Doncic, it's hard not to believe the best is yet to come.
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Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports.
