Luka Doncic is an extraordinary player. Luka is the youngest player to have 35point tripledoubles in succession, breaking Oscar Robertson's record, and only the fourth player to record it since the 1983–84 season, joining Michael Jordan, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. He also surpassed Michael Jordan’s record of 18 consecutive games with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Luka is the youngest player in the NBA postseason history with a 40point tripledouble, while also becoming the second player to record at least 43 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists in any game, joining Wilt Chamberlain.

Today we will take a look at what NBA players and analysts said about Luka Doncic before and after the draft. But before we do, make sure to hit that like button and subscribe to the channel if you haven’t already!

First in we have ESPN college analyst Fran Fraschilla who said, "I don't think it's fair to put on him this moniker of the best young European to ever come over here.

For those of you who don’t know, Fran had been following Luka’s career very closely since his early days. So this statement coming from a guy like him just tells you how wrong analysts were about how Luka’s career would turn out.

In May 2018, when asked should the number 1 pick be a lock for the Phoenix Suns,

After the season was already well underway in December 2018, Smith seemed to have a major change of heart, retracting on his earlier statements and said “Want to see the rookie of the year? It’s not DeAndre Ayton. It’s this kid, Luka Doncic. That’s who it is. The Rookie of the year. This kid is special. This kid is sensational. Just 19 years of age. First they found Dirk Nowitski 20 years ago, and now they found this kid.”

This was not the first time and this will not be the last time Stephen A has got it wrong about a player. Smith, like many analysts, tend to underestimate the European leagues and players.

Max Kellerman said on ESPN First Take “The only thing that matters is getting the best player. Some of these other guys are good but I’m not talking about Doncic who apparently doesn’t react well to pressure on the ball. They’re not great if you have to be a primary ball handler.”

Later on, after the season, when asked about the best pick, Max replied “Luka Doncic is the best player taken in the draft, including Ben Simmons, in the last three years. He’s a franchise player. All that hype about Luka, he’s the best version of what you could have hoped for. I love watching him play too.”

Max is an amazing boxing commentator, but as a basketball analyst, from saying Luka can’t react well to pressure to now calling him a franchise player? He clearly has a long way to go.

Famous critic and sports analyst Skip Bayless had this to say before the 2018 draft, “that’s my takeaway, he doesn’t pop athletically. Doncic at 6’7” will get exposed for all the inadequacies that Dirk struggled with. Dirk is not a great athlete, Dirk doesn’t have explosive quickness, Dirk isn’t physical. Well that’s what’s going to happen with Doncic. I’m not saying that Luka Doncic is setting the NBA world on fire. I’m not sure he’s going to be a dominating NBA player.

One of the most critical analysts in the NBA, Skip’s probably the most hated. His criticisms of LeBron are famous. When he compared Luka to Dirk, it was clear that he was stereotyping European Basketball.

Sports analyst Chris Broussard, on the show “In the Zone”, when asked about Luka’s comparison with Steve Nash and Larry Bird, had this to say: Several years from now, Luka Doncic might be the best player in the NBA.”

Chris overestimated the use of physical strength in the NBA to win games. Yes, Luka is not of the same build as LeBron, but you don’t get 18 consecutive games with 20 points if you are slow and struggling against defenders.

Former point guard and Skills Unlimited owner Rashad Phillips previously said when asked on his views of Luka Doncic as the number one pick that he “wouldn’t touch him with a 10 feet pole. He is not worthy of a top five consideration. He’s a second round pick.

Most people, even experts, did not know Luka Doncic, even though he was playing on the international scene for 34 years.

On the Will Cain show, Will Cain said “no doubt, no hesitation, take Luka Doncic with the number one overall pick. Luka Doncic is the guard wing 2, 3 from Real Madrid and Barcelona, and he’s what? 18 or 19 years old? He spent the last 3 or 4 years since he was 16 playing professional basketball against men. MEN, much higher level than the NCAA.”

Which other NBA players and analysts got it wrong about Luka Doncic? Do you think Luka Doncic is going to be a future Hall of Fame prospect? Thank you for watching another Swish Central video, and join us next time for more NBA basketball content.

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