Luka's MVP level and Dwight Howard's comeback | 5 Thoughts
Vložit
- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
- Get a free month trial and 50% off at The Athletic here: www.theathletic.com/thinkingba...
5 Thoughts after 2 weeks of the season: Luka Doncic's high-level of play, including detailed film breakdown of his incredible 3rd quarter against the Lakers; Royce O'Neale's defense for the Jazz; the surprisingly efficient Phoenix Suns offense; and comebacks from Markelle Fultz and Dwight Howard, who is playing as well as he has in years.
Support at Patreon: / thinkingbasketball
Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Baske...
Podcast: player.fm/series/thinking-bas... or at www.stitcher.com/podcast/ben-...
Website: www.backpicks.com
Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
-----
Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by csus (instrumental) - Sport
Help support the channel and get a free month trial and 50% off at The Athletic: www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketball
And yes, the plan is to have these shorter thoughts along with the more detailed profiles throughout the year. Also, huge thanks to everyone in the comments who caught the post-credit scene!
another one sells out. unsubbing bye.
Z. And z. z, zz, zzzzzz. Lame. Try not starting your shit off with some gomer talking about a free trial. I might watch it then. But I seriously doubt it. Get your crap together bruh.
You guys are hilarious @DukeBox and @Bubster 1969, 50% off is a lot! For someone that's been wanting to sub on athletic, glad I found this. Probably you two still can't afford it at 50% off. It's only 25 bucks for a year lol foh
A rass-cass-skippidy-doo video as always. Thank you!
@DukeBox @ Bubster 1969 you’re each speaking out of your fundaments 🤣.
Make your own CZcams videos with this high quality of content before you whine about others.
And try to make a living from that. Then try to do that without selling advertisements.
And try to remember that you can skip forward if it’s such a drain on your no-doubt limited resources. 🤦♂️
@DukeBox @ Bubster 1969 What are you proposing, that I charge you to watch every video? Because that's the other option if I don't have sponsors on these FREE videos. 😂
Just keep on doing this format, I don't mind it at all. It's convenient while the season is on.
He can do both and keep everyone happy
The more Ben content the better
pretty gay comment there bruh
Agreed but keep the old style too. I want both
I’m honestly so happy for Dwight
I would be if he was on pretty much any other team.
c00lhand208 I think the Lakers superb defensive talent is what is allowing him this much success. He doesn’t have to anchor anything, he just has to be a cog in the machine.
Maybe if he didn't hold
me too. he's so fun to watch all of a sudden. it's like he's got a purpose again and he seems genuinely enthusiastic just to play a role on this contending team. Crazy as it is to say, he may be the guy that puts the Lakers above the rest of the NBA when it's all over. wow
Matt Rowland couldn’t agree more. Glad he finally gets to prove people wrong after proving them right for 5-6 years straight
Dallas trading up for Luka was genius. It could go down as one of the greatest draft moves ever.
Honestly was thinking that during the draft BUT Tray is extremely good he has MVP potential as well. He had a better start then Doncic just got hurt.
@@FilipCordas no
I think it was a win-win for both DAL & ATL. The Doncic playing style fits perfect to Carlisle´s complex offense schemes. And Trey Young is a cold blooded scorer who can freely develope in Atlanta, ATL ain´t bad so far even though their record says otherwise.
@@FilipCordas Trae is too bad on defense to ever be MVP.
@x Florio that's not arguable at all
luka is hotter than lebron was at this age
Anyone who didnt see this coming from Luka just didnt watch him before NBA. Man has been a sensation since like 12 here in Slovenija and got substantialy better every single year. Playing for first team of Real Madrid in Euroleague at 16, winning EURO as 2nd best player, first team turnament at 17, winning euroleague and euroleague MVP at 19, NBA ROY at 19/20...just the way he plays makes him look like he has limitless potential offensively since he is playing with his head, so smart and talented.
💯 agreed. This man is playing chess while 90%+ other players in the league play checkers
What about defense! You can’t be an all time great if your defense is trash you know that..
@@mehdinadia275 he's not trash defensively, he improved since last year and have decent anthropometry, tho he's still far from average
@@mehdinadia275 yeah you can, expecialy in this new offense based league. And his defense isnt trash, it is avrage. And avrage defender is good enough right now when it is not a postup heavy league anymore but instead high scoring pace&space where vasicly everything gets switched
@@mehdinadia275 Y'all haven't seen his defensive potential, he held down Lebron quite a few possesions in that game, even last year he had good defense against Kawhi.
Not saying he will be a monster but clearly he's heading to a positive level.
Already playing like a seasoned vet. Luka for MVP!
Well, he kinda is a seasoned vet already; he is a pro since he was 16
Davide M yes thats why i as a big luka fan thought he wont grow a lot but this season he looks even better which is crazy
especially athletic wise which is great i hope his defense gets at least good then he could become the goat
He'll be even better if he takes of some of that fat or turns it into muscle.
@@Jay-dn2pg seasoned meat needs some fat
I mean his numbers are looking Similar to a 35 year old Lebron's numbers. I guess that's a good thing, but I guess that means that Lebron's not in that convo
Dwight Howard and D Rose playing well again is giving me chills 🥶 😃
We old
before his acl tear, d rose was my favorite player in the nba, and i was hurt to see his injury and subsequent decline. i am now glad to see his resurgence.
Love this format Ben! Very informative and entertaining per usual.
Coach Daniel GOAT
Huge fan of you two
"Uhhh... I dont know if we can stop the Raz skazz skiggity do..." 😂😂😂
They couldn't.
Can't be done
Nope!
I thought it was "skittly-do"?
Phil Moore where is that clip of the announcer saying that?
Loving these mini reviews, still hope you're making those deep analysis videos
Oh, hahahaha Try not starting your shit off with some gomer talking about a free trial. Ass kisser.
@@Bluebirdfalling dude this guy needs the money where he can get it. Calm the hell down.
I love this format. It's easier to digest.
The deep dives are amazing but switching it up from time to time is a good thing too!
'' oneal is build like a rock"
Lebron vs the jazz: '' hold my beer''
@blaz. Facts
More like "hold my wine"
there is only one Lebron in the league
pretty dumb there bruh.
LeBron is built like paper
As someone relatively new to actually watching basketball these videos give me lifeee
Another good series to watch is dime drop by the ringer
Nice!
Please pleas please do this about every month. You analyze things like no other CZcamsr, and actually go into detail. You’re what I want espn to be in the 1st place. Keep doing you
Dwight's energy this season, man... looking like a Rodman 2.0. Good for him
You are not the first person I've seen make that connection.
Very interesting!
you're content is top notch, no complaints with the 5 thoughts format, keep it coming. halleluka!
Loving this type of short thoughts vid, hope you keep posting them thru the season
Loving these videos, keep em coming!
Its crazy how much I look forward to your videos, If you put stuff out every week regularly your channel could blow up huge
I love this format! It saves me so much time actually watching any games :D And I still get a good understanding of what is going on.
First video I watch and already suscribed to this channel. Congrats, man. You have a new viewer in Spain.
This man Luka is playing Chess while the whole league is playing checkers
They're WINNING would lend substance to this assertion.
Age is just a number. Dwight is looking like he's in the best shape he's been in since the ORL days. I think the year off really helped him heal and rebuild his body.
Loving this 5 Thoughts series, hope you do them all season
I LOVE these videos, you’re my favorite basketball analysis channel! Keep making the best content you can
Doncic had Magic Johnson level passing in that Lakers game. That cross over behind the back pass off of the drive was one of the best passes that I've ever seen. The accuracy of his passes is really impressive. His defense has a long way to go before he can be an MVP candidate though. There were some plays in that game where Doncic was just flat out lost.
2:05 love Ben's references to gags in the NBA, like Simmons being an upcoming candidate for rookie of the year.
this is a good format, seems more fresh. good stuff
Love this channel ❤️
Luka Doncic if he continues this could end up being the new youngest MVP to ever win in NBA history
He has 2 years to do it. He'll be 21 in February; Rose was 22 years and 191 days when he won. So, this season or next. It seems very much within range for him!
"The old 30 foot one handed lob" - Nice.
@Jake Smith His name is Danny Devito
This Dwight Howard “resurgence” arc is so stupid. Dwight was one of the best centers in the NBA on the Hornets and was a part of one of the best starting lineups in the NBA, and this was not even 2 years ago. Last year he was hurt, and now he’s back and in a smaller role, it’s not surprising at all that he’s succeeding. I thought Dwight was a significantly better pickup than Cousins and so far he’s been great.
It’s so stupid to see people constantly shit on him and act like he’s been bad when he’s been productive and a net positive on every team he’s been on (excluding Houston at the end). If Dwight wasn’t on the Lakers, everyone would still be talking shit, but at least people can finally appreciate him, and stop hating him for wanting to leave a trash ass org 7 years ago.
Michael no you know why? Cuz nobody watched him playing for the hornets and the hawks that why..he just inherited this bad reputation while playing alongside kobe and James harden..Dwight is without a doubt in the hall of fame
Michael no Exactly. Only complaint i ever really had was him getting those weird post ups. Still a great player
YES! He's never stopped being a double-double machine and shot blocker
He used to be the best center by far so him being just top 10 felt like a huge fall and made a lot of people think he was done. Very underrated which is weird to say about “Superman”
He let Shaq make him insecure about his style of play. The man is mentally weak
Dwight Howard surprisingly fits in the current Lakers' rotation. He is still fit for a 34-year old athlete and I'm glad to watch him look revived this early in the season.
Just watched your first vid on Luka again, and its easy to see how much this young Man has actually improved! I mean the jump is huge!
Love this type of content. Keep it up
Dwight's always been good bro. Last season he was just injured.
Didn't he have a game 2 seasons ago with like 30 rebounds? That was impressive!
Can we get a breakdown on how to neutralize the Razzmatazz Skiddilydoo? I'm thinking going over the Jabroni screens would help offset the high percentage shot creation made from the FlippityFloppity style motion offense, but I don't know if not switching would then open them up to middle penetration if they then decide to start running the WakaFlocka from the elbow. What are your thoughts?
The thing so awesome about these types of videos, is that it inform us about less popular players and shows us motions and reads that we wouldn’t have noticed ourselves and makes us appreciate the sport even more.
Loving these 5 thoughts videos
Love this series!
Best basketball CZcamsr/podcaster
Hi Thinking Basketball, Big Fan! In the next 5, do you think you could talk about Rockets and the RW JH fit, along with the volatile offense and defense? I’d like to hear about how they stack up in your book
Another great video. Luka HYPE
I loved this episode, you're a great entertainer man, great channel
This is great content. Keep it up!!
I LOVE THESE VIDEOS
DO MORE
THANK YOU
Luka luka luka...one of the most complete players up and rising..
You have 130k subscribers & it hasn't been a year yet. This channel will explode
1920s Reporter Guy. Local legend. Asked Phil Jackson's last question as a head coach.
Scrolling through my CZcams timeline and I see a deep fried thumbnail.
"This is gonna be a nice 9 minutes"
Ur videos are freakin awesome!
great video!
Keep doing these!!!!
more more more i love this series!!!
Oh my god I love this style of video
u need more publicity bro ur content is fire
best basketball channel on CZcams
LOVE THIS CHANNEEL!!
Mann... he is GOOD! And your breakdowns are A1!
Loved the video, hearing about Howard made my heart feel emotions.
@Tom Schrader just a normal person who doesn't get upset hearing people are doing well
Dwight has definitely matured. Basketball wise at least, not sure whether or not he's actually matured in real life, judging by his hair. He has learnt how to step back and accept the role of a role player, probably having been humbled by his bouncing around teams the past few seasons. Happy to see him becoming relevant in the league again, better late than never.
Love this channel 😍
Luka love = like
Great analysis
at 2:58 thats actually Dorian Finney Smith, not THJr
Luka is indeed really amazing and fun to watch.
what a time to be a mavs fan. congrats guys.
i love this series, i’ve become a big dwight fan after his performances🤙🏼🤙🏼
Nice video coach, 9 minutes feels like 3 minutes. Well organized contents.
Great job. Do a video on Rick Carlisle, please. Why he's considered a top coach. Thanks!!!
Better than ESPN
Aaron tippy toe baynes is now his name 😂
Big fan of the 5 thoughts
I love how you highlight the chess-like nature of these games. It makes me respect the players more, because they are not just big, but they show incredibly intelligence at the game. There are 3 or 4 counters before a move is made. It's amazing.
Incredible*
If Luka can improve his defense and free throw , instant top 10 player right now at just 20 . I can't imagine this dude in his prime
bro how did i just now come by your content 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I gotta say, he's looking MUCH more athletic than last year. ESPECIALLY his first step and general speed.
Lmao gotta love the 1920s reporter guy bit at the start. Shoutout to 1310 the Ticket in Dallas
I'm glad Dwight Howard is making a comeback. He was actually the first player i ever got a jersey of back when he was in Orlando. When people react in total disbelief when i tell them Dwight should be in the HoF it tells me two things. They're either casuals, or they let the past few years cloud their judgement. Prime Dwight Howard was a beast. The first decade of his career is HoF worthy.
Love this format. Any thoughts on Rui Hachimura tho and Lamelo?
You can really see Luka is much more athletic, his drives are surprisingly fast. Well done Luka, keep it up
Do a vid on it starting on the wizards
Great video, small mistake at 2:58, though. That's Dorian Finney-Smith. He's not that popular to non-Mavs fans so the mistake was understandable
3:13 Is insane that all of this antecipation in your head creates clear opening in real life, that you are literally blind to see even though is right in front of you. The best option can be an excellent decoy.
I knew he was superstar bound. I just didn't think it would be this quick.
I'm happy to see Dwight reviving his career. He's been putting up respectable numbers since since he left the Rockets (the last time he was arguably a star player), but no one was watching him on the bum-tier teams he's been playing for, and judgments of him as a player have been mostly his locker room reputation and his outdated offensive game. He deserves more respect, tho, and it's great to see him buy into a system where he can utilize his strengths and contribute to a championship-level team.
2:47 Davis looks so small lol. I thought it was just another Guards lol.
Loved the Luka breakdowns. The guy is so much like Harden, such a weird and creative game.
If Mavs finish top 5, he'll definitely be in the conversation. Though this year I would bet for LeBron or Kawhi.
kawhi? hes not going to play more than 60-65 games, only mvp he could get is finals'
al t He literally said he’s not going to load manage as extreme as last season. He has legitimate help now in pg as a scorer and now has a year under him from that injury.
@@mduar1000 i just dont see why kawhi needs mvp, hes clearly not as healthy to be mvp and contend for the championship, he goes ham right now, but he would take break when pg is healthy
al t I’ve watched Kawhi play his entire career. I could tell when he’s going for something. Last year he was on cruise control the entire regular season. This year w the clips he’s giving them Elite minutes at 29mpg. And being an elite defender at the same time. Clippers are being smart and doing load management on him now since he doesn’t have pg and therefore will have to over exert himself on a useless regular season game
al t but trust me, once pg comes back those back to backs are going to be played while most likely ramping it up even further to show the league whose the real deal
Shout out to this channel calling out royce oneale defence! Even some jazz fans cannot realise it!
To be fair, I never once called Dwight washed up, or done, because I knew most of his deterioration had to do with what he was going through personally through all those years. I knew that once whatever it all was he was going through personally was figured out, he'd re-surge just fine and do fantastic and high level as always (as always in regards to his old self). And so far, he's proven me right on that this season. He never lost any of what made him such a high profile superstar, nor gave up on trying, and I knew this. He's not that kind of dude. So I am incredibly happy to see him doing so damn well this season and return to his peak form, which I actually think he's doing even better than his peak back in the day.
I love these vids
Thanks!
‘Taller Dennis Rodman’ is an amazing description, if he leans into fully he could be incredibly valuable!
Really thought your next video would be about the Suns balling out but I'll take this too
EDIT: I saw more of the video my bad
LUKA WILL BE A TOP 10 PLAYER IN HISTORY WHEN HE RETIRES
At the pace that he is going he could be inside the top 5 if nothing goes wrong.
He’d have to be better than Hakeem Olajuwon & Kobe Bryant. Those are the contenders for the 10th slot. So he’ll need a ton of gold, but hey who knows.
GOAT
@@cormel6895 ik ik, but hes going at a LBJ pace from rookie to sophomore, and he already has a better team around him. I can see the mavs in a couple of years maybe competing for a championship, the west its stacked but they have a lot of good pieces and maybe 1 or 2 good suplementary pieces away for contending
I burned the roof of my mouth on this take
I don't think you understand how gassed I am because you said Luka Doničić is MVP-level. Thank you so much Ben.
Om Arvind he didn’t say that. He said he had a mvp level quarter
@@MrDiMES123 Wrong he said Luka is the greatest player of all time.
Wanna swap curry and luka now will curry win a chip
That sounds like a good message tone. :-D
Howard is perfect for that role. He's like the ultimate version of that Tyson Chandler prototype. He might even get DPOY this year.
Only if he starts but he could be 6 man
is it just me or fultz's back looks stiff as iron
His injury still there, probably still playing thru pain. Sad but recent no.1 picks has been plague with injury in their first season, ik his was different coming from a motorcycle accident.
metalsadman what’s so worse is that his condition is a physical disorder that developed shortly after his incident. Poor guy probably will never gain his shot back.