ESPN names Luka Doncic 4th best player in the NBA

[Primetime]

Except Luka's lost to the same team in two playoffs in a row in round 1... Luka puts up volume points and assists, but he also turns it over a ton, plays no defense, and scores on just average efficiency

He's an amazing player, but he's not over Harden yet

Slightly off topic, but I mentioned a few weeks back that Harden’s been showing up in the playoffs the last 2 years but these days people misconstrue not winning (as the heavy underdog) with “not showing up”.

Example, in the bubble vs the Championship Lakers:

Spoiler

Harden: 29.4 / 4.6 / 7.2
50/38/84 shooting
23.4 PER (outperformed LeBron and AD)

Harden was getting double and triple teamed that series and Russ played unusually horrible but somehow this 5 game 2nd round loss to the world champs with two top 5 players + defenders (with AD much better than Paul George on both ends) is an indictment on Harden.

Example 2, vs the 2019 KD GSW

Spoiler

Harden: 34.8 / 7 / 5.5
44/35/82 shooting
24.6 PER (tops in the series as well)

Houston heavy underdogs but Harden goes blow for blow vs KD, on some Luka vs Kawhi ish gms1-4. Series tied 2-2. They drop the next 2 but Curry and Harden go bucket for bucket in the 4th quarter of game 6, before the refs called a flop in Draymonds favor that broke the sea saw.

But it’s an indictment that Harden lost to the same defending champs in 6 close gms (with KD playing 4.5 gms) that swept Dame (with no KD) and damn near took Kawhi/TOR to 7 with no KD and Klay crippled.

You can nitpick that Harden didn’t play perfect, and that’s fair, the same way we can nitpick Luka’s shortcomings vs LAC, or Jokic vs PHO.. but ppl want to act like every series loss is 2017 vs the Spurs.

 

[number21]

Giannis.
KD.
Bron.
Joker.
Luka.

..Steph I guess


Man I don't listen to no media hype... Luka is the real deal. You choosing Luka over curry to build a team around. Luka went 7 games against the clippers and nearly beat em by himself. Curry had green, a future hall of famer, and couldn't even get to the playoffs lmaoo curry ain't that guy anymore

Utter nonsense. Once Luka gets bounced out the first round again. You stans will find another way to reward him for it.

 

[Bledswole]

He top 10 fasho,but 4? Nah.

 

[number21]

nikkas turn into straight dumbasses when Luka is discussed .


He was supposed to beat Kawhi and PG ?


IMO Jokic should be 4th with Steph and Luka battling for 5th but Luka being ranked this high ain’t some travesty like ppl being fake mad about .


Kawhi being healthy would change this obviously

Breh, if you're now top 5...yeah. Especially, if you was up 3-2 and had the opportunity to close them out at home. And had the opportunity to go up 3-1 at home as well.

There's different standards for top 5 players if you don't want that standard for Luka. Don't crown him too early.

 

[Squirrel from Meteor Man]

ESPN staff wiping their mouths as we speak…

Right along with resident Tom @*DalMem*

Probably hasn’t been to sleep since these rankings came out

 

[Squirrel from Meteor Man]

Against two of the supposed best perimeter defenders in the NBA, he's averaged 33.5/8.8/9.5 on 49.4%/39.2% shooting in 13 playoff games and you bozos desperately want to say he's a media creation.

This is an example of using twisting numbers to make a false narrative. Luka Doncic did most of his damage on switches to little guards and slow bigs. He also did most of his damage in the first half in most games. So, no, those numbers were not against two of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

When Kawhi was switched on him, he made tough shots here and there but he mainly threw up bricks or passed it away.

Up 20 points in a close out game at home and Luka folded like a cheap suit

 

[HiphopRelated]

Breh, if you're now top 5...yeah. Especially, if you was up 3-2 and had the opportunity to close them out at home. And had the opportunity to go up 3-1 at home as well.

There's different standards for top 5 players if you don't want that standard for Luka. Don't crown him too early.

welcome to 2006 Kobe, 2009 Wade etc.Talent is talent

 

[Guess Who]

Luka will not have playoff success until he learns that his team will be better when his usage rate is lower. Freezing out your teammates all game and then expecting them to be effective in the 4th once Luka starts to get tired isn’t going to work. That’s my only issue with Luka.

 

[number21]

Both Wade and Kobe have previously done things before those particularly years to maintain that top five status. Like winning championships.

What have Doncac done? Win ROY and lose in the first round twice to the same team?

welcome to 2006 Kobe, 2009 Wade etc.Talent is talent

 

[KingJay]

Luka has performed better in 2 playoff series than Harden’s entire career, what did Harden do last year that warrants him above Luka

Bron aint do shyt either last year, should Luka be over Bron? Of course not. We're capable of remembering the very recent past.

 

[Apprentice]

Bron aint do shyt either last year, should Luka be over Bron? Of course not. We're capable of remembering the very recent past.

Luka has out played Harden the last 2 years in the post season

 

[Apprentice]

What? Without the play-in...he was in the playoffs.

The team which was full of G-Leaguers. Cause no besides Draymond [whose was showing his age this year], Wiggins, Wiseman, and maybe Jordan Fuller no one else is getting consistent on any other NBA team.

Had arguably his best season ever as a two time MVP and all-great but he's lower than Luka who's honestly done nothing yet and LeBron who clearly taken an step back. Breh just stop.

Dude said without the play in he’s in the playoffs lmaoo stop it

The play- in existed, he got out played by his direct matchup, stop bringing up shyt from 2016, it’s 2021, Steph has not made the playoffs in 2 years

Warriors had multiple All NBA defensive players on his squad, when AI had that he made it to the finals

Look at all the excuses u got for Curry now, Harden, LeBron and Russ have had worst rosters than that and made it to the playoffs, dude was playin wit a top 5 d in the league and got handled by a 2nd year player for the money

stop all the excuses, it’s 2021 not 2018, Luka better than Steph

 

[Apprentice]

Utter nonsense. Once Luka gets bounced out the first round again. You stans will find another way to reward him for it.

Jus like U tried to reward Steph for not makin the playoffs

Look at this random criteria yall try to hold nikkas to

 

[number21]

Jus like U tried to reward Steph for not makin the playoffs

Look at this random criteria yall try to hold nikkas to

nikka what? Steph is a three time champion and two time MVP. He's proven top tier player unlike your boy.

Like you really want to compare resumes? Stop it while you're ahead.

 

[Apprentice]

nikka what? Steph is a three time champion and two time MVP. He's proven top tier player unlike your boy.

Steph ain’t won a championship in nearly 4 years ain’t made the playoffs in 2, it’s 2021 stop citing shyt from 2016 as a reason for Steph bein top 5 lmfao

dude couldn’t make the playoffs and let Ja Morant eat his lunch for the money

u can nikka what 1000 times, keep holding on to the past