Nick Young, a former NBA player, called Luka Doncic a “real hooper” in a Monday post on X, the previous Twitter platform. Why then did Young decide to assert this? Well, to appreciate the background we must have a look at a piece that Young earlier posted where he explained what a “hooper” is.
“A hooper is a guy who plays anyplace; he doesn’t have to play in the league or 24 hour fitness to get a bucket! They are able to produce nearly any shot. Before analytics entered the game, the NBA wasn’t prepared for hoopers; they used to refer to us as poor shot makers. And call the majority of hoopers “microwaves” or “6 men,” so that even your best player would be afraid to defend them, Young wrote on X in a post on Friday.
What makes Luka Doncic a “hooper” exactly, then?
“Luka is the essence of a true HOOPER: he consumes whatever he wants, hardly lifts weights, his defense is dubious, yet he gets buckets!!!!!! EVERY OFFENSE! Arrive at the gym just in time for the game. “The Dallas Mavericks star is not someone who can just hop on the court and score 40 points in any league,” Young wrote of the player.
After leading the league in scoring during the 2023–24 season, Doncic came in third in the NBA MVP voting. The Mavs were also guided by him to the NBA Finals. At just 25 years old, Doncic is perhaps the best player in the NBA, and his possibilities are endless.
Luka Doncic earning respect around the NBA
Doncic has been praised by numerous players, both past and present. They are obviously aware of his true skill as a player.
Doncic is a capable scorer from any spot on the court. In addition, Doncic is among the NBA’s finest passers and has a significant amount of board presence.
Luka’s defense was described by Young as “questionable.” Doncic has already faced backlash for his defense. But in 2023–24, he showed indications of growth in the defensive end of the court.
There are numerous unanswered questions for the Mavericks going into the upcoming season. Dallas is expected to perform well, though. The Mavericks will have a real chance to make another run at the NBA Finals with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic leading the way once more.
