My biggest issue with the League slobbing on Luka is that . . . . .. IT is a slap in the face to the ONE AND DONE RULE hell . . .it is a slap in the face to the whole CANNOT BE IN THE NBA UNTIL 19 Rule That Kid has been playing professionally since like 13~16 IMO . .. You don't get to stifle the development of America Basketball players then turn around an praise a kid that was given opportunities to play professionally early The Hypocrisy of it all. Rocket River
James Harden's gift is how slow the game seems to him. There are a lot of times where he seems like he walking to the rim, and no one can stop him or attempts to stop him because they are just as scared of his passing. He has developed into a once in a life time type player. There has been no one ever that you can compare him to.
Doncic was a lot more hyped up than Harden, though, when you compare them to when they came into the league. Doncic isn't going to spend a couple of years being the 6th man - he's already Dallas' best player. Couldn't say the same for OKC Harden. Doncic is by no means a role player. I agree with some other posters saying that he's on LeBron's path - immense hype heading into his first season, around the same size, is a good playmaker who can be great over time, etc.
I actually thought this the other day watching a highlight of Luka faking a drive and taking a long step back for a 3. Reminded me a lot of James.
Court vision, high b-ball IQ, very crafty, and neither are truly elite athletes with one exception; they're both elite at deceleration. Two of the best, in fact.
Harden is better at everything than Luka, I know he's really good but his fanboys are gonna get really obnoxious in a few years, can already tell.
harden's first step and ability get by any defender will always separate him from mere mortals like doncic. and if you want to discuss league manufactured, watch any dallas game and witness the star treatment doncic already gets over established vet players. there's a lot of $ to be made off this kid
What hypocrisy are you talking about? Luka is also 19 yrs old, so how exactly is he a slap to the face of cannot be in the NBA before 19 or the one and done rule? He has followed the same rules as other American athletes. Do you realize the professional leagues Doncic has been playing since "he was 13-16" is also open to Americans? It is not restricted to Europeans, for example the Ball bros played in Europe and Brandon Jennings also played in Europe instead of going to college. NBA doesn't "stifle the development of America Basketball Players" they are trying to prevent busts from coming into the NBA! Why is it the NBA's responsibility to take of these high school kids? Lol they are not being paid by the US govt they are being paid by a global audience who wants to watch the highest level of basketball. NBA's responsibility is to make their roster's talent the best in the world and that includes limiting possible busts, nobody wants to see hyped up 18 yos who don't know wtf they are doing. Americans have the same oppurtunities to go overseas and play there they just don't want to take it so nobody is getting stifled, it is their choice. Luka is a Slovenian but at age 13 he left his country and went to Spain to play for Real Madrid. The Slovenian Basketball League didn't develop him, it was Luka and his family who decided to start play basketball profesionally at an early age. If Luka can leave his country why can't all the other American athletes do it too?
So is ESPN saying Luka will be the next superstar for them to constantly hate on, influencing an entire nation of basketball fans to despise him? I think Luka's going to be a huge star in this league, but Jesus, you'd think they'd applaud James Harden for being the CURRENT James Harden before announcing his successor.
he can work on and develop a lot of things. but he doesn't have the elite first step harden has, and never will