I think it's pretty fair to say that Luka is better than Trae and likely will always be better than Trae

[marco102]

3 minutes ago, AtLaS said:

 

It's because we are 4-13.  Once we build an actual team around Trae (we need to begin doing that this offseason IMO) and win some games the perception will totally change.  It's kind of like how people are saying Dwight is having a resurgence this year, Dwights doing the same thing that he did the past 5 years, he's just on a top team now.

 

Luka is currently considered the better player, because they are winning and his numbers are slightly better.  However, after the first 6 games of the season they were on the same tier.  I think Trae will be as good as Luka, he just doesn't have the teammates that Luka currently does with all the injuries/suspensions, etc.  

In addition, as Hawks fans we have built our own echo chamber with Hawks news, social media, etc so we hear all the positive AND negative news.  Go to a Bucks board and you'll find fans complaining about Giannis' jumpshot, a Houston board complaining about Harden's ballhogging, Lakers fans complaining about AD, etc.  

The overwhelming majority of national news reporters are VERY high on Trae and consider him a future superstar, with obvious work to do.  Who cares about Bill Simmons.  But, once you get to the upper echelon of players, your game begins to get nitpicked.  GIannis' jumpshot, Simmons jumpshot, Hardens' postseason struggles, etc.  Hell, LeBron still gets a ton of criticism.  

 

We should be thankful we have a player that is even being talked about.

 

Thats my point. What has Luka been nit-picked about? He gets a free ride regardless of results. He obviously has things to improve on. I'm not saying Trae deserves the same amount of coverage as Luka. Just saying they are covered differently. Luka does not seem to get the same criticism as other stars. Mostly because he is doing what he is doing so young, but there is a double standard for him.

[AtLaS]

1 minute ago, marco102 said:

Thats my point. What has Luka been nit-picked about? He gets a free ride regardless of results. He obviously has things to improve on. I'm not saying Trae deserves the same amount of coverage as Luka. Just saying they are covered differently. Luka does not seem to get the same criticism as other stars. Mostly because he is doing what he is doing so young, but there is a double standard for him.

Winning cures all.  You are correct, it's because he's 20 years old and the Mavs are winning, and he's damn near the MVP this season.  If the Mavs go 1-9 over the next 10 games, you'll hear all about how Luka has the ball in his hands too much, or he's taking too many threes at a low clip.  Wait until the Mavs make the playoffs and Luka has some bad games.  There has just been a lot less ammo to complain about on Luka so far this season and they've been winning.  Give it time. 

[JayBirdHawk]

24 minutes ago, kg01 said:

Watching LAC play defense makes me jealous.  Why don't we have dudes that just play smart and hard on defense?  Seems Collins led that effort early on.  The suspension really derailed our season in a lotta ways.

Just give me some effort guys on defense man.  Makes a big difference.  On another note, CLP said at the end of last season that he didn't install his defenses from PHI because our personnel couldn't handle it.  Well, f*ck, might as well give them the cliff notes version.  Whaddo we got to lose?  Well other than a lotta games.

Yes it does and yes it did!  And I'm not saying that John is other worldly but plugging him between Hunter and whoever starts at center would do wonders since he actually played in Pierce's system last year.  Jabari doesn't/can't help either of those guys as he's also new to the system (minus his own shortcomings).

Maaan! Even a cheat sheet won't help Jabari or Jones on defense.

[willthepureshooter]

The difference in my humble opinion.. 

Luka has a really good supporting cast which affords him the ability of drawing less double teams. He literally plays one on one ball all game. With the emergence of Tim Hardaway Jr., Luka and Porzingis will continue to reek havoc. 

Trae on the other hand has a team full of rookies and rolling stones. He gets doubled every time he crosses half-court. With his size (5'11 without shoes) its absolutely nuts he's averaging almost 27 points off shooting 43% from the field and 36% from three point range. If Trae had the same supporting cast as Porzingis, he would probably average in the mid 30's points wise and well over double digit assists per game.

Denver's players and coaching staff advised us of how much of a nightmare he can be to game plan against. The kid is unreal and will be the better player down the line. 

[txsting]

I would trade Trae and Cam for Luka.  Yes I would.  The Mavericks would have a coronary fit of laughter as they escorted me out of the building.

Cam should not be in the NBA right now, he can't keep playing like this and stay this side of College Park.

Trae's best is on par with Luka's best; but Trae has way too many off nights.  Luka is carrying a garbage team in the West.  The Mavs are dogsh;t without him.

[JayBirdHawk]

19 minutes ago, txsting said:

I would trade Trae and Cam for Luka.  Yes I would.  The Mavericks would have a coronary fit of laughter as they escorted me out of the building.

Cam should not be in the NBA right now, he can't keep playing like this and stay this side of College Park.

Trae's best is on par with Luka's best; but Trae has way too many off nights.  Luka is carrying a garbage team in the West.  The Mavs are dogsh;t without him.

If the Mavs are dogshit without Luka, what's the Hawks without Trae?   The Devil's shit!!

[terrell]

40 minutes ago, txsting said:

I would trade Trae and Cam for Luka.  Yes I would.  The Mavericks would have a coronary fit of laughter as they escorted me out of the building.

Cam should not be in the NBA right now, he can't keep playing like this and stay this side of College Park.

Trae's best is on par with Luka's best; but Trae has way too many off nights.  Luka is carrying a garbage team in the West.  The Mavs are dogsh;t without him.

Hawks arent dogshit without TRae? lol

40 minutes ago, txsting said:

I would trade Trae and Cam for Luka.  Yes I would.  The Mavericks would have a coronary fit of laughter as they escorted me out of the building.

Cam should not be in the NBA right now, he can't keep playing like this and stay this side of College Park.

Trae's best is on par with Luka's best; but Trae has way too many off nights.  Luka is carrying a garbage team in the West.  The Mavs are dogsh;t without him.

Whats an off night exactly? Hes been almost as efficient as Luka with less talent.. Check the numbers..

Edited November 27, 2019 by terrell

[bleachkit]

8 minutes ago, terrell said:

Hawks arent dogshit without TRae? lol

Whats an off night exactly? Hes been almost as efficient as Luka with less talent.. Check the numbers..

They are about the same on threes, but Luka FG% is 5 points higher overall, which is significant actually. The main difference is size, as Trae really has to work against length to get his floater to go, and some nights it's just not falling. The ideal Trae is a guy that averages 24 and 12 on 50%+ shooting. Trae averaging close to 30 and low 40's shooting percentage is not a winning formula for us. That's more of a AI, Kyrie type, not ideal to build around in my opinion.

[terrell]

22 minutes ago, bleachkit said:

They are about the same on threes, but Luka FG% is 5 points higher overall, which is significant actually. The main difference is size, as Trae really has to work against length to get his floater to go, and some nights it's just not falling. The ideal Trae is a guy that averages 24 and 12 on 50%+ shooting. Trae averaging close to 30 and low 40's shooting percentage is not a winning formula for us. That's more of a AI, Kyrie type, not ideal to build around in my opinion.

FG% isnt the same as it used to be with all the 3's being hoisted. I agree Lukas will be higher because he scores from the post also.  And TRae has to rely on his floater..AI would dominate in the era btw..And hes not close to Trae as a passer..

Edited November 27, 2019 by terrell

[willthepureshooter]

18 minutes ago, bleachkit said:

They are about the same on threes, but Luka FG% is 5 points higher overall, which is significant actually. The main difference is size, as Trae really has to work against length to get his floater to go, and some nights it's just not falling. The ideal Trae is a guy that averages 24 and 12 on 50%+ shooting. Trae averaging close to 30 and low 40's shooting percentage is not a winning formula for us. That's more of a AI, Kyrie type, not ideal to build around in my opinion.

So, you're ignoring the fact he's still averaging almost 30 points per game while facing a double team every night? At 5"11? Haha! Am in the Twilight Zone? 

[terrell]

2 minutes ago, willthepureshooter said:

So, you're ignoring the fact he's still averaging almost 30 points per game while facing a double team every night? At 5"11? Haha! Am in the Twilight Zone? 

While Luka is  mainly guarded 1 on 1.

[terrell]

24 minutes ago, bleachkit said:

They are about the same on threes, but Luka FG% is 5 points higher overall, which is significant actually. The main difference is size, as Trae really has to work against length to get his floater to go, and some nights it's just not falling. The ideal Trae is a guy that averages 24 and 12 on 50%+ shooting. Trae averaging close to 30 and low 40's shooting percentage is not a winning formula for us. That's more of a AI, Kyrie type, not ideal to build around in my opinion.

And Kyrie wishes he was the leader Trae is. Dont put those 2 in the same sentence......

[Atlantaholic]

49 minutes ago, terrell said:

Hawks arent dogshit without TRae? lol

Whats an off night exactly? Hes been almost as efficient as Luka with less talent.. Check the numbers..

Nah, Luka is smoking him in every advanced stat actually. 

[terrell]

4 minutes ago, Atlantaholic said:

Nah, Luka is smoking him in every advanced stat actually. 

ADvanced stat. lol. Nerds still trying to get involved with basketball...

Edited November 27, 2019 by terrell

[terrell]

8 minutes ago, Atlantaholic said:

Nah, Luka is smoking him in every advanced stat actually. 

Better teammates, waaay easier schedule, and coaching(LP is still learning) have anything to do with those "advanced stats"?

Edited November 27, 2019 by terrell

[Atlantaholic]

1 minute ago, terrell said:

ADvanced stat. lol. Nerds still trying to get involved with basketball...

You are the one that brought up efficiency, how do you measure it then? 

[terrell]

2 minutes ago, Atlantaholic said:

You are the one that brought up efficiency, how do you measure it then? 

See above post..

[Atlantaholic]

1 minute ago, terrell said:

See above post..

So you can't. Awesome discussion.

[terrell]

3 minutes ago, Atlantaholic said:

So you can't. Awesome discussion.

Advanced stats dont tell the whole story..But IM sure you knew this already..

Edited November 27, 2019 by terrell

[bleachkit]

36 minutes ago, willthepureshooter said:

So, you're ignoring the fact he's still averaging almost 30 points per game while facing a double team every night? At 5"11? Haha! Am in the Twilight Zone? 

You're right, Trae isn't taking nearly enough shots. If only he was taking 50 shots a game, we would finally be winning.