Does this look familiar to you?
Luka Doncic has been destroying his opposition ever since he was a 16 year old boy in the Euroleague, but as he says it himself- scoring is easier for him in the NBA.
The fact that he averaged 16 points per game in his MVP season in the Euroleague, and just last year in the NBA he was the leading scorer with almost 34 points support his case.
And this is true despite the fact that Euroleague games are shorter at 40 minutes, and that he played much less that season averaging only 26 minutes per game compared to 37 and a half in the nba.
But the real interesting part is comparing his styles of scoring. Young Luka had some real bounce and he was sneaky quick.
But even more impressive to me is the hangtime and aerial acrobatics. FILLER: 0:40
Are you kidding me? This was some MJ stuff. Now of course you can obviously notice the slimmer body allowing for all this to be possible, compared to now being often criticized that he looks out of shape, and that as a superstar, he needs to be in a much better condition.
But that’s a whole different topic.
One thing that hasn’t changed with Doncic however, is the dog in him.
Watch him get berated by his coach during the time out, and then watch how he responds.
Situations like this one are probably what he had in mind on media day when he was asked about dealing with pressure and expectations.
But back to Luka's point. He listed the shorter games, and the smaller courts as 2 important factors making the Euroleague a tougher league to score 30 in.
And while having 8 less minutes is huge, I checked the court dimensions and the NBA half court is like 2 iphones longer, and 1 and a half wider. That doesn’t really impact spacing in my opinion.
What does make a big impact however is the lack of defensive 3 seconds in the Euroleague.
So the rim protector is pretty much always there, and finishes at the basket are much more difficult.
And hand checking being allowed in Europe, enables the defender to be much more aggressive.
Then, a huge thing that I’ve talked about in a previous video is the fact that in the Euroleague coaches have a gigantic authority and control. And of course what does every coach want? Teamwork. No superstar hero shots, no 30 field goal attempts by a single player, nothing like that.
Then, it may just be a thing of Luka remembering the experience of a 16 or 17 year old boy in Europe, and comparing himself to today when he’s in his prime.
Of course it was tougher for him back then, but if he goes to play in Europe right now, he would definitely average a whole lot more.
Whatever the case may be, Doncic has a ton of respect for the Euroleague and has said that he prefers watching it, rather than the NBA.
The new season starts tonight, and I’ve made a brand new channel where I’ll be recapping the madness every single matchday. So click this video and check out Luka headlining the wildest game winners that have happened in the Euroleague. Talk to you in the next one. Peace out.