Luka Doncic Discussion: Lean Mean Slovenian Scoring Machine

again--where's the argument that he's NOT being fouled on his FTAs, and where's the argument that he's not being fouled when he "whines". sorry, i'm sympathetic to wanting an even playing field. guys can't stop him, period. they have to foul. the refs have decided not to call some of them so he doesn't shoot 20 fts a game. he's mad about that. i understand it, watching SGA fail to create separation and just get someone offbalance and shove them for a midrange look. i promise you if luka gets someone on skates and extends an arm, he's going to get whistled.

 

The free throw excuse is just from people who hate that he has game!

People look at Shai's amazing efficiency from the field. yeah, because defenders know that he's going to bait the refs for a bailout foul call so they don't even bother defending him as aggressively or Shai will just flop and flail his legs/arms so when he knows it's about to miss, he pretends he got fouled therefore voiding the missed attempt and he gets two free points instead.

Luka is more likely to get fouled and not get a bailout call so players learned to just play aggressive with him. It's the same with LeBron. Teams know they can get away with it so they just foul LeBron.

If you look at Luka's free throw rate, which is # of FTA based on FGA, he's right in line with Kobe, LeBron, Shai, Iverson, DeRozan, Durant, etc.,

Players are going to have trouble with a 6'7 European dude who has handles and can change pace in an instant like Luka can. Most NBA players are more athletic than Luka so they can generally only defend at one speed at a high level. Once Luka changes pace and goes from slow as molasses to a quick burst, those players don't know how to accurately stop and defend the shot which leads to them bumping or crashing into Luka. Does Luka look for the fouls? Yes, but he doesn't hook players arms, flop, or flail around like a wet fish. He's using his ability to change the pace to draw contact. Every time I look at Reaves/Luka's arms at the FT line, there are scratches all over. They're getting grabbed and swiped all over.

The best foul baiter of all time is by far, James Harden. Half of this dude's shot attempts led to a FT...