It’s rare to see a second-year player establishing himself as a legitimate MVP candidate, but Luka Doncic is doing just that. After an impressive rookie season, Doncic is having even better sophomore year, averaging 28.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game.

Doncic is doing all of this in Dallas Mavericks’ jersey, changing the franchise’s luck and leading them on the path to their first playoff appearance since 2016. It’s curious how before entering the 2019 NBA Draft, the 20-year-old Slovenian though he’ll be changing Sacramento Kings’ luck.

Doncic recently had a chat with Sam Amick of The Athletic and told him that he believed Kings would be the team where he’ll start his NBA career.

“They came to Madrid (to see him play for Real Madrid and to share a dinner on June 5, 2018),” Doncic told Amick. “They came with the owner. Everybody came, so I honestly thought they were going to pick me.”

Despite taking the interest in Doncic, Kings decided to pass on him and pick Marvin Bagley III. 

“I mean, I think it’s because of Euroleague; it’s different basketball,” said Doncic when asked why he thinks Sacramento opted not to draft him.

Luka Doncic entered the draft as the most accomplished European prospect ever, having won EuropeanLeague MVP honors just weeks prior. Still, the NBA team were cautious about the way his game will translate to the more athletic league, while also considering Doncic to be a sub-par defender.

Phoenix Suns, possessing No.1 pick and needing a center, opted to draft Deandre Ayton out of Arizona University, leaving the clear path for Kings to take Doncic. But Sacramento also passed, deeming that Bagley fits better into their system.  Mavs grabbed the opportunity, made a trade with Atlanta Hawks to jump to No.3, and the rest is history.

The post Luka Doncic Thought He’d Be Drafted By Kings appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Dallas Mavericks’ rookie Luka Doncic is taking the NBA by storm. The 19-year-old had another stellar performance on Sunday, draining 26 points in the 119-114 loss to Golden State Warriors and showed once again why he is running away with the Rookie of the Year award this early in the season. And while this wasn’t enough for his team to get a win, it did earn him praises from the opponent’s team.

Speaking with reporters before the game, Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr said that Doncic already looks like an All-Star player even if he is this early in his NBA career. Kerr then went on to double down on his statement after the game.

“I haven’t really done the math,” – said Kerr. “I haven’t gone line by line. So I probably threw that out there without truly doing my homework. I do have a vote for reserves. I think what I meant to say is he sure looks like an All-Star. So whether he makes it or not, he’s an All-Star. Certain guys just stand out. You see what they do, you see what they mean to the game. And if he doesn’t make it this year, he’s going to make it soon enough.”

Golden States’ players were also impressed with his basketball abilities.

“He’s unbelievable,” – said Curry about Doncic. “You can tell he’s just experienced in terms of playing high-level basketball. A guy that’s always at his own pace. I’m sure he had heard all the doubters and people talking about his game who really didn’t know much about him, and he’s made himself known for sure. It’s fun to watch in terms of the future of the league.”

“I don’t know if he’s an All-Star with how the numbers work, but he’s an All-Star player,” – added Draymond Green. “So I don’t know if he’ll be an All-Star, per se [this year], but he’s definitely an All-Star talent — that’s for damn sure.”

Luka Doncic has a real shot at making an All-Star appearance this year, given the fact that he currently sits at number two in fan voting in the Western Conference. Doncic is currently averaging 20.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

The post Mavs’ Rookie Luka Doncic Receives Praise from Warriors’ Coach and Players appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Since entering the NBA 20 years ago, Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki established himself as the best international player in the history of the league, and one of the power forwards ever. Now, according to the 40-year-old, Mavericks’ newest international acquisition, Luka Doncic could follow the similar path.

During an interview with Dallas radio’s 105.3 The Fan, Nowitzki said that Doncic, who was the third overall pick in 2018 draft, is a lot better than he was in his rookie year.

“I could shoot a little bit [at 19], but I never had the court vision, the savviness and the stuff that he brings to the game,” – said Nowitzki of Doncic. “Just the way he already reads pick-and-rolls. You go under, he shoots. If the man goes over, he kind of keeps him behind him like the best, like Chris Paul and these guys do. He does all of that. He’s going to be fun — fun to watch.“

Luka Doncic enters the NBA as one of the most highly touted international prospects in the past 20 years. Although only 19 years old, Doncic already proved he could play against grown men, becoming the youngest recipient of the EuroLeague MVP and EuroLeague Final Four MVP awards while leading his former club Real Madrid to 2018 EuroLeague title. He also helped his native Slovenia to win the 2017 EuroBasket.

Knowing all this, it is only natural to expect great things from Luka Doncic as soon as he puts on that Dallas Mavericks’ jersey. But transitioning from Europe to NBA isn’t an easy process, and Dirk Nowitzki knows that best. This is why he wants to avoid putting too much pressure on the young Slovenian.

“Obviously, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him,” – Nowitzki added. “Coming over from a different country, I went through the same thing about 20 years ago. It’s tough to adjust to a lot of things: living in a different country, another culture, to a different game, different coaching, different play style. For me, that took a full year. My first year was really, really tough.“

So, if Doncic doesn’t immediately become Mavericks’ best player, don’t worry. Give him a year or two, and he will get there.

The post Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki Praises Rookie Luka Doncic appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Real Madrid star guard Luka Doncic has just given some headaches to the NBA executives. The 19-year-old is projected to be among top three picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, but apparently, he isn’t sure that he will leave Europe and come to NBA next season.

“Ι’m not sure if these are the last two games [in Europe],” – said Doncic at a news conference for the EuroLeague Final Four on Thursday. “We have yet to make this decision. Perhaps after the season.“

Doncic will have until June 11 to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft in case he decides to stay in Europe. He might stay with Real Madrid even if he decides to stay in the draft since he will have no obligation to come and play in the NBA.

His hesitance to confirm if he will come to the United States next season might also be a strategy devised to defer certain teams from drafting him. In case that he lands with the Sacramento Kings or Atlanta Hawks and he doesn’t want to play there, he could sign an extension with Real Madrid and wait until the team that drafted him trades his rights somewhere he does want to play.

Luka Doncic is considered to be the top international prospect in the upcoming draft and maybe the best player available. He already has an experience playing on a senior level and emerged as Real Madrid’s leader while being named Europe’s best young basketball player in both 2017 and 2018. He currently averages 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

Luka Doncic also found success on an international level playing for Slovenia winning EuroBasket in 2017.

The post Real Madrid Star Luka Doncic Unsure if He’ll Come to NBA Next Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It’s rare to see a second-year player establishing himself as a legitimate MVP candidate, but Luka Doncic is doing just that. After an impressive rookie season, Doncic is having even better sophomore year, averaging 28.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game.

Doncic is doing all of this in Dallas Mavericks’ jersey, changing the franchise’s luck and leading them on the path to their first playoff appearance since 2016. It’s curious how before entering the 2019 NBA Draft, the 20-year-old Slovenian though he’ll be changing Sacramento Kings’ luck.

Doncic recently had a chat with Sam Amick of The Athletic and told him that he believed Kings would be the team where he’ll start his NBA career.

“They came to Madrid (to see him play for Real Madrid and to share a dinner on June 5, 2018),” Doncic told Amick. “They came with the owner. Everybody came, so I honestly thought they were going to pick me.”

Despite taking the interest in Doncic, Kings decided to pass on him and pick Marvin Bagley III. 

“I mean, I think it’s because of Euroleague; it’s different basketball,” said Doncic when asked why he thinks Sacramento opted not to draft him.

Luka Doncic entered the draft as the most accomplished European prospect ever, having won EuropeanLeague MVP honors just weeks prior. Still, the NBA team were cautious about the way his game will translate to the more athletic league, while also considering Doncic to be a sub-par defender.

Phoenix Suns, possessing No.1 pick and needing a center, opted to draft Deandre Ayton out of Arizona University, leaving the clear path for Kings to take Doncic. But Sacramento also passed, deeming that Bagley fits better into their system.  Mavs grabbed the opportunity, made a trade with Atlanta Hawks to jump to No.3, and the rest is history.

The post Luka Doncic Thought He’d Be Drafted By Kings appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Dallas Mavericks’ rookie Luka Doncic is taking the NBA by storm. The 19-year-old had another stellar performance on Sunday, draining 26 points in the 119-114 loss to Golden State Warriors and showed once again why he is running away with the Rookie of the Year award this early in the season. And while this wasn’t enough for his team to get a win, it did earn him praises from the opponent’s team.

Speaking with reporters before the game, Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr said that Doncic already looks like an All-Star player even if he is this early in his NBA career. Kerr then went on to double down on his statement after the game.

“I haven’t really done the math,” – said Kerr. “I haven’t gone line by line. So I probably threw that out there without truly doing my homework. I do have a vote for reserves. I think what I meant to say is he sure looks like an All-Star. So whether he makes it or not, he’s an All-Star. Certain guys just stand out. You see what they do, you see what they mean to the game. And if he doesn’t make it this year, he’s going to make it soon enough.”

Golden States’ players were also impressed with his basketball abilities.

“He’s unbelievable,” – said Curry about Doncic. “You can tell he’s just experienced in terms of playing high-level basketball. A guy that’s always at his own pace. I’m sure he had heard all the doubters and people talking about his game who really didn’t know much about him, and he’s made himself known for sure. It’s fun to watch in terms of the future of the league.”

“I don’t know if he’s an All-Star with how the numbers work, but he’s an All-Star player,” – added Draymond Green. “So I don’t know if he’ll be an All-Star, per se [this year], but he’s definitely an All-Star talent — that’s for damn sure.”

Luka Doncic has a real shot at making an All-Star appearance this year, given the fact that he currently sits at number two in fan voting in the Western Conference. Doncic is currently averaging 20.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

The post Mavs’ Rookie Luka Doncic Receives Praise from Warriors’ Coach and Players appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Since entering the NBA 20 years ago, Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki established himself as the best international player in the history of the league, and one of the power forwards ever. Now, according to the 40-year-old, Mavericks’ newest international acquisition, Luka Doncic could follow the similar path.

During an interview with Dallas radio’s 105.3 The Fan, Nowitzki said that Doncic, who was the third overall pick in 2018 draft, is a lot better than he was in his rookie year.

“I could shoot a little bit [at 19], but I never had the court vision, the savviness and the stuff that he brings to the game,” – said Nowitzki of Doncic. “Just the way he already reads pick-and-rolls. You go under, he shoots. If the man goes over, he kind of keeps him behind him like the best, like Chris Paul and these guys do. He does all of that. He’s going to be fun — fun to watch.“

Luka Doncic enters the NBA as one of the most highly touted international prospects in the past 20 years. Although only 19 years old, Doncic already proved he could play against grown men, becoming the youngest recipient of the EuroLeague MVP and EuroLeague Final Four MVP awards while leading his former club Real Madrid to 2018 EuroLeague title. He also helped his native Slovenia to win the 2017 EuroBasket.

Knowing all this, it is only natural to expect great things from Luka Doncic as soon as he puts on that Dallas Mavericks’ jersey. But transitioning from Europe to NBA isn’t an easy process, and Dirk Nowitzki knows that best. This is why he wants to avoid putting too much pressure on the young Slovenian.

“Obviously, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him,” – Nowitzki added. “Coming over from a different country, I went through the same thing about 20 years ago. It’s tough to adjust to a lot of things: living in a different country, another culture, to a different game, different coaching, different play style. For me, that took a full year. My first year was really, really tough.“

So, if Doncic doesn’t immediately become Mavericks’ best player, don’t worry. Give him a year or two, and he will get there.

The post Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki Praises Rookie Luka Doncic appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Real Madrid star guard Luka Doncic has just given some headaches to the NBA executives. The 19-year-old is projected to be among top three picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, but apparently, he isn’t sure that he will leave Europe and come to NBA next season.

“Ι’m not sure if these are the last two games [in Europe],” – said Doncic at a news conference for the EuroLeague Final Four on Thursday. “We have yet to make this decision. Perhaps after the season.“

Doncic will have until June 11 to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft in case he decides to stay in Europe. He might stay with Real Madrid even if he decides to stay in the draft since he will have no obligation to come and play in the NBA.

His hesitance to confirm if he will come to the United States next season might also be a strategy devised to defer certain teams from drafting him. In case that he lands with the Sacramento Kings or Atlanta Hawks and he doesn’t want to play there, he could sign an extension with Real Madrid and wait until the team that drafted him trades his rights somewhere he does want to play.

Luka Doncic is considered to be the top international prospect in the upcoming draft and maybe the best player available. He already has an experience playing on a senior level and emerged as Real Madrid’s leader while being named Europe’s best young basketball player in both 2017 and 2018. He currently averages 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

Luka Doncic also found success on an international level playing for Slovenia winning EuroBasket in 2017.

The post Real Madrid Star Luka Doncic Unsure if He’ll Come to NBA Next Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.