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NBA Rookie Rankings: What’s Luka Doncic’s biggest weakness?

By Rucker Haringey

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 07: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center on January 07, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 07: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center on January 07, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 04: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 04, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 04: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 04, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

4. Trae Young: Making 3-pointers

It’s strange that the biggest deficiency in Young’s game this season has been his inability to drain 3s. That was one of the things that caused the Hawks to fall in love with him in the first place. Unfortunately, he’s only connecting on 28.8 percent of his shots from distance on the young season.

He’s back in the top five this week because he is shooting the ball better lately. Young has also exceeded most people’s expectations as a creator on offense. He has the ball in his hands a lot for Lloyd Pierce’s team, but he’s averaging 7.6 assists per night. There’s real reason to believe he can be an outstanding distributor from the point guard position once Atlanta surrounds him with competent talent.

None of that is going to matter if he can’t be an excellent 3-point shooter though. His success in the NBA hinges on his ability to play at an All-Star level on the offensive end. If he wants to be a solid starter, he needs to score and distribute at an elite level. Trusting him to provide value on defense is simply too optimistic given his physical limitations.

Some of Young’s struggles from deep can be attributed to questionable shot selection. Jacking a 30-footer with 20 seconds left on the shot clock is unacceptable unless your name is Steph Curry. Young may have drawn some comparisons to the Warriors star during the pre-draft process, but he’s nowhere close to that level yet. Cutting down on a couple ill-advised shots a game could have a significant effect on his shooting percentages.

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