Read on Twitter
Why Damian Lillard is a better NBA player than Luka Doncic.
(Thread)
(Thread)
The general consensus of NBA fans is that Luka Doncic is superior to Damian Lillard. Here is a poll I ran that received 951 votes, although it is a small sample size it exemplifies the general attitude of NBA fans. I am here to analyze and debunk the belief that Luka > Dame
*DISCLAIMER*
Some would say itâs illogical to compare a second-year player to an eight-year veteran although I believe there is plenty of evidence to compare them in the regular season, which is what I shall base my criteria off of.
Some would say itâs illogical to compare a second-year player to an eight-year veteran although I believe there is plenty of evidence to compare them in the regular season, which is what I shall base my criteria off of.
It would be unfair to compare Dame and Luka in the playoffs as Dame has played (55) playoff games vs Luka who has only played (6). Dame also only played two full playoff games last season.
I know that some people will completely ignore this thread because Luka was a higher seed but in reality Dame with a fully healthy team was a back-to-back three seed and the fact he was still able to carry a broken and poorly coached team to the playoffs is insane.
Dame was a far more efficient scorer than Luka. Efficiency is arguably the most important aspect of basketball.
Luka Doncic shooting splits: 58 TS%, 46 FG%, 31 3P%, 56 2P%, 75 FT%, 53 EFG%
Damian Lillard shooting splits: 62 TS%, 46 FG%, 40 3P%, 52 2P%, 88 FT%, 56 EFG%
Luka Doncic shooting splits: 58 TS%, 46 FG%, 31 3P%, 56 2P%, 75 FT%, 53 EFG%
Damian Lillard shooting splits: 62 TS%, 46 FG%, 40 3P%, 52 2P%, 88 FT%, 56 EFG%
Dame was the more efficient, all-around, and more explosive scorer while having a lower USG% and receiving more defensive coverage.
Dame leads Luka in almost every important offensive statistic while handling the ball less and committing fewer turnovers. Here is a breakdown:
Dame leads Luka in almost every important offensive statistic while handling the ball less and committing fewer turnovers. Here is a breakdown:
PPG: Dame: (30.0), Luka: (28.8)
USG%: Dame: (30.3%), Luka: (36.8%)
TOV: Dame: (2.9) Luka: (4.6)
OWS: Dame: (10.9), Luka: (6.5)
OBPM: Dame: (8.3), Luka: (7.4)
VORP: Dame: (5.9), Luka: (5.4)
USG%: Dame: (30.3%), Luka: (36.8%)
TOV: Dame: (2.9) Luka: (4.6)
OWS: Dame: (10.9), Luka: (6.5)
OBPM: Dame: (8.3), Luka: (7.4)
VORP: Dame: (5.9), Luka: (5.4)
Dame proved to be a more explosive scorer than Luka, scoring more than 45 on nine different occasions and scoring 60 three times. Luka did not score more than 45 once last season.
Something that must be taken into account is that the Mavs were the #1 offense with Luka on and off the floor but the Blazers were a top 3 offense with Dame on the floor but the 29th offense when he was off the floor.
Dame was one of the most efficient long-range shooters of all-time shooting over (40%) from 35+ feet, demanding intense defensive attention as soon as he crossed halfcourt.
Dame was also a more efficient 3P shooter on more attempts (10.2) vs Luka (8.9)
Dame was also a more efficient 3P shooter on more attempts (10.2) vs Luka (8.9)
Take a look at the @Prime_Dame_Time tweet showcasing the defensive coverage Dame faced all season. https://twitter.com/Prime_Dame_Time/status/1306269468033576960?s=20
Luka received nowhere near this attention. I donât have exact stats to back this up but watch any Mavs game and compare it with any Blazers game and youâll see what Iâm talking about.
Comparing Passing/playmaking:
Luka was a slightly better passer than Dame averaging only (0.8 APG) more, on higher USG% and committing (2.2) more TOV while also being surrounded by better shooters than Dame.
Luka was a slightly better passer than Dame averaging only (0.8 APG) more, on higher USG% and committing (2.2) more TOV while also being surrounded by better shooters than Dame.
So is Luka really a better passer than Dame? I give the slight edge to Luka because of his higher AST% percentage, Dame (34%) vs Luka (45%) but again thatâs mostly due to Luka being surrounded by better shooters.
Mavs best 3P shooters: Seth Curry (45%), THJ (39%) Maxi Kleber (37%), DFS (37%).
Blazers best 3P shooters: GTJ (41%), Carmelo Anthony (38%), Cj McCollum (37%) Kent Bazemore (34%)
Blazers best 3P shooters: GTJ (41%), Carmelo Anthony (38%), Cj McCollum (37%) Kent Bazemore (34%)
The Gap between Dame and Lukas passing/playmaking is very small and you could argue that itâs almost equal unlike how some advertise it to be.
Is Luka a better rebounder than Dame?
A quick glance at Lukas stats and you would believe that Luka is a great rebounder, this is not the case. The Mavs offense is designed so that Luka gets the defensive rebound to start the fastbreak.
A quick glance at Lukas stats and you would believe that Luka is a great rebounder, this is not the case. The Mavs offense is designed so that Luka gets the defensive rebound to start the fastbreak.
If the offense werenât designed this way he would have similar rebounding numbers as Dame. Rebounding is also one of the most irrelevant stats for a point guard.
Comparing defense:
Similar to passing advanced stats slightly favor Luka defensively although this is partly due to Luka being in a better defensive system. Dame and Luka are still both mediocre, non-impact defenders so this comparison similar to rebounding is irrelevant.
Similar to passing advanced stats slightly favor Luka defensively although this is partly due to Luka being in a better defensive system. Dame and Luka are still both mediocre, non-impact defenders so this comparison similar to rebounding is irrelevant.
Leadership (subjective)
This is more of a subjective opinion so if you donât agree thatâs fine. Not to knock on Lukaâs leadership but he is a second-year player. We canât just discard everything Dame has done for Portland on and off the court.
This is more of a subjective opinion so if you donât agree thatâs fine. Not to knock on Lukaâs leadership but he is a second-year player. We canât just discard everything Dame has done for Portland on and off the court.
Dame has taken the Blazers to the playoff every single year of his career and in doing so making the Blazers a relevant franchise. Dame has also proven and established himself as a superstar on and off the court.
Dame and Luka are both masters of the game and at first glance, I understand why you would think Luka is better but when you really dig down stats say otherwise. Does Lukas SLIGHTLY better passing make him better than Dame who is a much superior scorer? Logically no.
If you want to bring in the seeding/playoff argument that would be unfair to Dame as i explained earlier. Luka is an amazing player but heâs just not better than Dame. If you have made it this far thank you for reading, likes and rts appreciated!
