Profile
Luka Doncic
Real Madrid
Guard
6’8″, 220 pounds
February 28th, 1999
FPC NBA Draft Big Board Rank: 1 Overall, 1 Guard
Projection: Top Three
Bio
Doncic burst onto the scene at the age of 13, where Real Madrid signed him to a contract. After starring on the Real Madrid B team in 2014, Madrid brought him up in 2015 to the main team, making him the youngest player to ever debut for the team. In a league where young players usually don’t play significant minutes, Doncic climbed up the ranks in the Spanish ACB league and the Euroleague. Now, in 2018, he is Real Madrid’s go-to guy and the team has been very successful in the Euroleague and the Spanish ACB league. He is apart of the Slovenian national team and the team that won gold at Eurobasket 2017, playing alongside Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic.
Strengths
Luka Doncic is an incredibly gifted player. At 6’8″, he has the versatility to play the one through three but he undoubtedly is a point guard. Doncic possesses unique passing ability reminiscent of Ben Simmons and LeBron James. His vision in the half court and in transition allows him to make passes most cannot. He has every pass in his bag of tricks, from the cross-court skip pass to the pocket pass. He also has a pension for the crowd-pleasing flashy pass. Doncic makes his teammates better. Most of his passes are on time and right on the numbers.
Doncic navigates the pick and roll very well; he knows when to pass and when to take it himself. Doncic has mastered putting his defender in jail and crossing back over after using the screen to take his defender out of the play. He has a solid handle and draws a lot of fouls when defenders try to stop him in transition. Doncic is a great rebounder and the ability to rebound from the point guard position is vital, so shooters can run to their spots.
Doncic is not afraid to take the ball himself and score; he has all of the assortment of crossover moves in his bag. The ability to create something out of nothing is very valuable. He also has a pension for the big shot. His three-point percentage isn’t great but his mechanics are smooth and his shot should translate into the NBA. Luka Doncic isn’t an elite athlete, but he has good leaping ability and good enough athleticism to get by most of his defenders. His footwork is impeccable and he is equally adept at going right or left. Doncic likes to post up and has excellent touch around the basket.
Despite his struggles defending on-ball, Doncic is a competitive defender and is never afraid of a one on one matchup. Luka Doncic also plays better competition than any college player. If the NBA is analogous to the MLB, NCAA basketball is Double-A and the Euroleague is Triple-A. Doncic has had the chance to play with some of the most seasoned veterans in the world, giving him valuable experience.
Weaknesses
Although Doncic is fairly athletic, he is not an elite athlete by any means and could struggle to keep up with some of the quicker players in the league. Is he quick enough to consistently beat some of the best defenders in the NBA? Doncic has poor lateral quickness and struggles to keep his man in front of him. Doncic’s biggest defensive flaw though is his off-ball defense. His awareness on the weak side is bad and he often gets way out of position on his help assignments. He will need to better understand offensive positioning and NBA spacing to become a competent off-ball defender. Doncic turns the ball over because he tries to do too much–he needs to trust his teammates more and make the simple pass–and occasionally overdribbles.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Best NBA Fits
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are in dire need of a young star and a new face of the franchise. Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are not getting any younger and the Grizzlies don’t have many quality players around them. The Grizzlies also have the second worst AST/TO ratio in the NBA at 1.44, the sixth worst three-point percentage in the league at 35.2% and score the second least points per game at 99.1. Doncic could play as a secondary ball handler with Conley on the floor but could man the point guard duties when he is off of the floor. Doncic creates plenty of his own offense and even more offense for his teammates.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have amassed a collection of good young players in the past few drafts and free agencies, including Taurean Prince, Kent Bazemore, and John Collins. Dennis Schroder is their leader, but I am not sure If he will ever be able to be a number one option on a good team. He is a solid playmaker but nothing special. The Hawks will likely have a top three pick and selecting Doncic could be a step in the right direction. Kent Bazemore and Taurean Prince are both great defensive wings and will be able to cover for Doncic’s lack of defensive ability early on in his career. The Hawks are also the second worst pick and roll team in the NBA, with 0.76 points per possession, despite running it the third most in the NBA.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks already have one great young guard in Dennis Smith Jr. Besides him, the Mavericks don’t really have any exciting young talent on the roster. The Mavericks have the fourth slowest pace in the NBA (97.57) and the third lowest points per game in the NBA (102.4). Their guard play outside of Smith is fairly weak. Although Smith is very athletic and a great scorer, he is not a true playmaker. Doncic could create easy buckets for Smith in transition on backdoor cuts. A backcourt duo of Smith and Doncic would be a nightmare for opposing teams to guard in the near future.
Overview
Luka Doncic is a generational offensive talent with elite vision and scoring ability. He will struggle early on defense and his playing time may drop. If he can become a serviceable defender like James Harden, or if a team can cover his defensive weakness with other role players, he could be an immediate impact player. Doncic will have an easier time transitioning to the NBA due to the similarity of playstyles to the Euroleague. Doncic has a great chance to be an NBA star and avoid the ever-growing list of European busts.
Check out FPC’s 2018 NBA draft big board right here!
Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, the AFC South Division Editor, and head NBA editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_, @FPC_NBA and @FPC_Colts.
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Pro Football historian John Turney joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Pro Football historian John Turney joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 248: Traning Camp and Pre-Season Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 12:33 pm
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
Ep 246: NFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 1:40 pm
-
Ep 245: AFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Top 10 Quarterback/Pass Catching Duosby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:58 pm
Ian and John discuss Maurice Jones-Drew's list of Top 10 quarterbacks/pass […]
-
Top 5 Running Backsby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:42 am
Ian and John discuss FPC Chiefs Managing Editor Braden Holecek's Top 5 […]
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers comments about the young wide receiver […]
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Ian and John discuss the Zach Wilson injury scare, Deshaun Watson's debut […]
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA's decision to retire Bill Russell's "#6" […]
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kevin Durant power move and the similarities […]
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the pair of NFL preseason games from Thursday and […]
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams impending retirement, Kevin Durant, […]
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams' career and impending retirement as […]
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers recent revelations and the upcoming […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 193 "Summer Slam Review"by Boot 2 The Face on August 8, 2022 at 10:05 am
Marty and Rucker return to talk the sights and sounds of Nashville for WWE […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Episode 99: Save the (Roquan) Drama for Your Mamaby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 3:14 am
-
(Season 2.6): Fantasy Football Live! w/ Kyle Senra, Manny Chokuba, and Ryanby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 2:40 am
-
Ep. 197 - Did LeBron Just Sign His Last NBA Contract?by Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 9:35 pm
-
Top 10 Quarterback/Pass Catching Duosby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:58 pm
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
-
Ep 248: Traning Camp and Pre-Season Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 12:33 pm
-
(Season 2.5): Training Camp Talk: Should we be concerned with Antonio Gibson?by Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 11:57 pm
-
Hockey Canada - Be Better - Aug 16, 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 9:00 pm
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm