The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks: Three reasons Luka Doncic is the Rookie of the Decade

By Kohl Rast

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on smiling as he returns to the bench against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on March 23, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on smiling as he returns to the bench against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on March 23, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 29: Zhang Zhuo #22 of the Beijing Ducks defends as Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball around him in the first half of a game at American Airlines Center on September 29, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 29: Zhang Zhuo #22 of the Beijing Ducks defends as Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball around him in the first half of a game at American Airlines Center on September 29, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

3. All-around game

Have I mentioned that Luka Doncic is a really good all-around player yet? Probably not enough. The truth is, Luka has the most complete game of any rookie since at least Kevin Durant, if not LeBron James. Let’s take a look at all of Luka’s top competition for all-around game as a rookie over the last decade.

Ben Simmons is obviously the most recent rookie that would stand up to Luka’s impressive play. Simmons and Luka play the same position as essentially a point-forward and they both score, rebound and assist the ball very well. When comparing the two statistically, Luka is clearly a better scorer, but Simmons holds the edge in rebounds and assists.

Simmons also has the edge on the defensive end, based on most defensive statistics. So where does Luka get the edge? The main part is not so much with the scoring, but with the shooting. In the modern NBA, it is really difficult to get by without a serviceable jump shot. Luka has made 161 three-pointers this year, shooting around 33% from three. Simmons is 0-15 so far in his career. When it comes down to it, you have to be able to shoot to be a real star in the NBA.

Next is probably Blake Griffin. Griffin was an incredible rookie, averaging 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. From what we know now about Blake and how much he adapted his game to the current NBA, it would be easy to say that he is better than what Luka has brought to the court, but when Blake was a rookie, he ran on pretty much sheer athleticism.

Also, if you look at stats on a per-36 basis, Luka would average more points than Blake did in his rookie season. These minor things give Luka the edge over Blake in my opinion.

Aside from those two, Luka has a notable advantage over essentially every other rookie in the past 10 years. There are guys like Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, Karl-Anthony Towns and Damian Lillard that have parts of their game that definitely outclasses Luka, but as far as top-to-bottom goes, there are few in the conversation with the Slovenian star.

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The Dallas Mavericks have one of the best rookie players the NBA has ever seen. With the Rookie of the Year award nearly locked down for Luka, it is hard not to make a case for him as the best rookie the NBA has seen in over 10 years. To me, the truth is clear.