The 2018 Draft Class is going to go down in history as one of the deepest classes we have seen. There are already multiple All-Stars from the class, as well as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Both the guards on the 2023 All-NBA First Team were drafted in 2018, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Luka’s new teammate Grant Williams was picking who had the deeper bag between the two guards and predictably chose Luka.
“I got Luka, just because I think Luka has more game-winners and proven stuff because that step back to his left, I don’t know if I have ever seen it get stopped or blocked and it’s the same spot over and over again. It’s comical.”
Williams further elaborated on the diversity in Luka’s game.
“The thing about Luka, I know he’s lost a lot of weight right now, but when he was a rookie, he used to be dunking on people. Nowadays, he shoots slow-step layups and you’re like, ‘Come on, bro.’ That’s tough. With Shai, it feels like he’s working for his buckets. He personally may not but it feels like you’re making him work.”
https://twitter.com/tidalleague/status/1682092878833524766
Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists last season, while SGA averaged 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds.
The Thunder actually made the play-in at the Mavericks’ expense, which has raised arguments for Shai being better than Luka. However, Doncic already has a very impressive playoff resume as Shai looks to end a four-year playoff drought this season.
The Mavericks Feeling The Pressure
There is a ticking clock on the heads of the Dallas Mavericks decision-makers, as the team is nowhere near the championship contender a generational superstar like Doncic should have around them. They made solid moves to get younger this offseason while adding athleticism and defense. There were no big-ticket changes made, but the moves around the edges have been solid.
If the offseason work doesn’t translate onto the court, the Mavs don’t really have any major assets left to make further moves. They have assembled a nice young core of players, but two of them are rookies, and one is a second-round pick going into his sophomore season. More development is needed, so the Mavs may not get instant results next season, but the core could be fearsome in a few seasons. In the meantime, everyone will wonder when Doncic will ask to be traded.
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