Luka Doncic picks three EuroLeague players that could be NBA starters

2019-02-15T16:19:10+00:00 2019-02-16T12:43:44+00:00.

Antonis Stroggylakis

15/Feb/19 16:19

Eurohoops.net
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks talks to the media during the 2019 NBA All-Star Rising Stars Practice and Media Availability on February 15, 2019 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Keane/NBAE via Getty Images)

Some interesting choices there by Luka Doncic…

By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net

Dallas Mavericks point forward Luka Doncic was showered by questions during the media availability of the All-Star Weekend that takes places in Charlotte. And not all of them were about Slovenian player’s rookie season in the NBA or his participation in the Rising Stars Challenge.

Doncic played in EuroLeague for three years prior to signing with the Mavericks and actually left Europe as the reigning season MVP, Final Four MVP, Rising Star and champion of the competition. So he had a thought or two regarding which EuroLeague players could not only join an NBA team but also become starters.

“Sergio Llull… I would say, Anthony Randolph. And Nick Calathes,” Doncic answered when asked to name three players that could start on an NBA team.

Doncic picked two former teammates, Llull and Randolph, plus Panathinaikos guard Calathes. He faced the latter numerous times in EuroLeague, including the 2018 playoffs. That postseason battle between Real and Panathinaikos was also considered to be an “informal” MVP showdown between Doncic and Calathes. After all, the team that would advance to the Final Four would also determine who would win the MVP honor between the two.

While Randolph and Calathes have had NBA stints, Llull, whose rights are owned by the Houston Rockets, has yet to play in the league. Still, the Spanish star is the one that NBA GMs consider to be the “best international player outside the NBA” right now.

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