Luka Doncic is a player that looks like a generational talent. The game just looks easy for him: he can make the right play at the right time. Last year, he averaged 28.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and 8.8 APG for the season. Those averages put him close to averaging a triple-double, with elite scoring on top of it. If he keeps improving, he could join Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook on the list of players to average a triple-double for the season. Needless to say, many people are confident in Doncic’s future prospects.
One of those people is Los Angeles Clippers head coach, Tyronn Lue. Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson revealed what Lue said on the young Mavericks superstar. Hoop Central’s tweet summarized the situation:
Ty Lue says Luka’s passing ability is like LeBron James, and his step-back is like James Harden, via @ScoopB. pic.twitter.com/Lh7cDpNySA
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 27, 2020
This is some high praise, but very well deserved. Tyronn Lue has coached LeBron James, so he definitely has the experience to comment on their abilities. The James Harden comparison is also accurate: both Luka Doncic and James Harden are great creators in isolation and can act as the de facto point guard for the team. Doncic isn’t super athletic, so he uses his basketball IQ to make plays. Doncic is also a high-volume 3PT shooter like Harden, shooting 8.9 3PT shots a game during the 2019-20 season. Their styles are definitely comparable: add LeBron James’ passing into the mix, and you get a truly unique player.
Perhaps the media is overhyping Luka Doncic: but at the end of the day, the eye test tells us that he is special. The game comes naturally to him, and even without otherworldly athletic gifts, Doncic will still dominate you. The Mavericks have a good player for years to come.
