Is Luka Doncic a James Harden 2.0?

We have never seen a player like Luka Doncic in NBA history. His mix of technicality, game intelligence and, above all, precociousness distinguishes him from the nearly 5,000 athletes who have walked the league’s floors since its creation. It is unique.

However, the more time passes, the more the comparisons are refined. They no longer only relate to the individual profile of the Slovenian, but also to his role at the Mavericks. increasingly associated with James Hardenis the “Wonder Boy” really incomparable?

The star around which the Mavericks revolve

After four very successful years in the NBA, including three as an All-Star, we no longer present Luka Doncic. Leader of 2m01, elite scorer, sensational creator… we understand at first glance why the native of Ljubljana calls himself “Luka Magic”. But its role is constantly evolving.

This season, the Dallas star is posting an astronomical average of 34 points, 9 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game. All at 50.3% shooting and as one of the most efficient players in the league in scoring, with 1.22 points per possession. It embodies, in all respects, the expression “Franchise Player”.

One could qualify the system advocated by Jason Kidd of heliocentric. At the Mavericks, Doncic is the sun around which the rest of the workforce revolves. Placed at the heart of the game, he decides everything for himself and his teammates.

Its evolution and the departure of Jalen Brunson at the Knicks pushed this pattern to its climax. The Mavs sometimes give the impression of living only through their leader, that the players around him are only tools at his disposal. An impression confirmed by the statistics, in this case its Usage Rate of 38.5% according to Basketball Reference. Nearly 40% of his team’s shares therefore end up in his hands.

Already the league leader in this area for the past two seasons, Doncic is still pushing its limits. He reaches heights that only three other players have reached before him: Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant et James Hardenwith which the parallel seems increasingly relevant.

Luka Doncic reassures Mavericks fans about his future

Luka Doncic, James Harden of the Mavericks?

Dallas’ system with Doncic is clearly reminiscent of Houston’s with Harden. The two exteriors are technical specialists, who evolve ball in hand to score in any situation or distribute the game. In their style and their role, the comparison is obvious.

“The way that [Doncic] plays, the way James (Harden) played and the way this Rockets team played, there are a lot of similarities between them.”thus observed Draymond Greenin May.

“Luka and James put similar pressure on every possession, they can create an easy shot for their teammates or themselves”confirmed Steve Kerr, at the same time.

In attack, there is no doubt. Heart and lungs of their respective teams, the young Slovenian today took the place that the bearded man occupied yesterday. However, they differ on several points.

Scoring-wise, both players are fantastic, among the best in the league. However, Harden still remains above the numbers, at an All-Time level. In proportion to their volume of shots, he is also much more focused on outside shooting.

The Mavericks star, with a wide range of shots, relies heavily on his mid-range play. A major difference in their style, which changes everything once the playoffs come. In the postseason, the mid-range indeed regains its rights and some too stereotypical players observe a clear drop in speed.

Beyond this point, the two keep the ball permanently and lead their teammates with the baton. But Doncic remains a better passer than his former Texan neighbor. Much more rigorous, he loses fewer balls, which has often been criticized for Harden.

In the quality of the passes, above all, the gap is widening. The Dallas prodigy surprises every game with the creativity of his caviars. He also has a unique ability to turn a drive or fake shot into a terrifically precise pass.

Defensively, their lack of investment brings them closer once again. It is precisely this point which pushes Luka Doncic to refuse this comparison. “El Matador” tries to get away from Harden on defense, to look more like LeBron James who, in his prime years, was impacting both sides of the court. According to Jason Kiddhis coach, is in any case what he tends towards.

In this regard, the 3rd choice of the 2018 Draft still has a long way to go. However, his willpower is already a good sign. Maybe that part of his game will evolve over time and with roster changes.

Luka Doncic and James Harden thus stand out on several important points, which will certainly lead the Slovenian to other horizons. Above all, at only 23 years old, he has a huge lead. We are still certainly far from the final version. It’s too early to put it in such a categorical box as “James Harden 2.0”.

Without Luka Doncic, the Mavericks are completely lost