Doncic has been outstanding–consistently so–all year long. Young can’t say that.
Luka Doncic was selected 3rd overall to the Atlanta Hawks but was then traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Trae Young. These two talented players will forever be linked–if not just for that fact. But there’s more! The 2018-19 Rookie of the Year award (ROY) is coming down to those two players, too.
You would think that Ayton or Bagley would also be in the race. Any other year they would. But not this year.
Luka is the leader for the award because he was primed to be a rookie star. That’s because he had such a great experience in the Euro League. Young, on the other hand, came to the NBA after only one year in college (at Oklahoma). What’s more–with Dirk retiring this year–the Mavericks are going to hand over the club’s keys this 19-year-old phenom.
Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (photo, CBS Sports)
Last summer, Luka was balling in the Euro league and captured the league’s MVP. Even so, many NBA scouts and general managers weren’t sold on Doncic and considered him to be a risk.
But Luka soon let everybody know that he’s the real deal.
When the Mavericks hosted the Houston Rockets, and the Mavs stormed back to win, Luka was a big part of the comeback. Luka had sequences where he caught Clint Capella in a switch and made Clint dance as he hit a nasty step-back jumper.
The biggest moment of Luka’s season came when he gave James Harden some of his own medicine. Luka hit a step-back three on Harden to seal the victory.
And while Luka has had many moments this season, the biggest takeaway of all is his consistency. On the season Luka is averaging 21.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, and 5.9 apg. Those numbers are outstanding–not only for a rookie but for a seasoned NBA player.
Doncic was considered by many to be an NBA All-Star, too.
Some NBA observers think Young should be the ROY. Ben Stinar, who covers the NBA for AmicoHoops, is one of them. Yes, Young is averaging 25.5 ppg and 8.9 apg for the second half of the season, but that’s only for part of the season. For the year, Young’s numbers are more modest–18.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 7.9 apg. Those are good numbers, they just aren’t Luka-like numbers.
Another thing … Luka has posted seven triple-doubles this season, which ranks him 2nd on the list for most triple-doubles by a rookie. The player in front of him … Magic Johnson!
Young is a stellar talent, but I don’t think this is a close race. Luka has been outstanding–consistently so–all year long.
My verdict? Luka has the ROY award locked up. He’s a generational talent–a crafty scorer who makes teammates better and has the potential one day to be the League’s MVP. Remember, he’s only 19 years old.
My ROY is Luka ‘Motha Flippin’ Doncic.
