Zion Williamson vs Luka Doncic

[Nike D'Antoni]

Who do you prefer? This thread shall be revisited down 5 - 10 years.

[Axe]

I feel like zion will become injury prone again down the line.

[Full Court]

Raw skill, Luka is better. Zion looks like a better contributor to wins so far.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Williamson dunking on people is more entertaining but he has to show he can stay healthy and will have to contribute in a major way beyond just scoring to be at Doncic level. Really Doncic has a large edge even in just scoring, I think Williamson could average 30 but would his body hold up if he tried to dominate at that level in a daily basis?

[Axe]

Williamson dunking on people is more entertaining but he has to show he can stay healthy and will have to contribute in a major way beyond just scoring to be at Doncic level. Really Doncic has a large edge even in just scoring, I think Williamson could average 30 but would his body hold up if he tried to dominate at that level in a daily basis?
Yea, somehow reminds of shaq with that heft he has albeit shorter. Unlike embiid or giannis who are obviously more skinnier.

[FultzNationRISE]

N.O. have the personnel to take more of a committee approach and allow Zion to be more of a finisher. He’s not in an “everything starts with him” role like Lebron, Luka, Giannis. So we might not get to see what his individual production ceiling is, but at the same time the Pelicans might have the highest team ceiling of anyone because of it.

[Lee]

Luka Doncic is more of a James Harden to me, He has a usage rate of 37-38 % this season & last one. You don't win with that style.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/usg_pct_season.html
Just like Westbrook also. Although you can see Kobe & Jordan there, it was in seasons they failed miserably on a team level. And they had to modify their game.

Jordan on Phil Jackson. “I wasn’t a Phil Jackson fan when he first came in,” Jordan said. “Because he was coming in to take the ball out of my hands. Doug put the ball in my hands.”

Kobe on harden “I’m not a fan of- in terms of winning championships- I don’t think that style is ever going to win championships,”

Luka has to do the same. He needs the coach to make him do so as well. Or else he is heading in the Harden-Westbrook direction with his cancerous style.


For now, Zion contributes more to team basketball.

[dirkdiggler41]

Luka Doncic is more of a James Harden to me, He has a usage rate of 37-38 % this season & last one. You don't win with that style.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/usg_pct_season.html
Just like Westbrook also. Although you can see Kobe & Jordan there, it was in seasons they failed miserably on a team level. And they had to modify their game.

Jordan on Phil Jackson. “I wasn’t a Phil Jackson fan when he first came in,” Jordan said. “Because he was coming in to take the ball out of my hands. Doug put the ball in my hands.”

Kobe on harden “I’m not a fan of- in terms of winning championships- I don’t think that style is ever going to win championships,”

Luka has to do the same. He needs the coach to make him do so as well. Or else he is heading in the Harden-Westbrook direction with his cancerous style.


For now, Zion contributes more to team basketball.

You clearly don't watch a lot of Luka basketball if he reminds you of James Harden (I assume Houston-Harden). James did 3 things, drove to the basket, drove to the basket and passed it to an open shooter or shot a 3-pointer. To compare, in the 19-20 season, Harden took 20 mid-range shots. Doncic got 80 so far this season. Also, Luka leads the league in post-ups or post-up points (don't remember which one) I can't ever remember Harden posting up. And last, Luka's passing is more team originated as far as I remember Harden. Go watch the games, please.

By the way, Giannis got 37 usage, Luka got 37, Embiid 37, Ja got 34. I would not be surprised if one of them won a championship this season, even with high usage.

[Nike D'Antoni]

Luka Doncic has a 2-0 record versus Zion Williamson in his career.

[RRR3]

Zion will be better if he stays healthy.

[Phoenix]

Could be a case brewing of better floor raiser( Luka) vs ceiling raiser( Zion) but we need to see Luka with a team actually capable of truly contending. Luka is obviously going to have more eye-popping stats because he has a 'do everything' role on the Mavs. Zion definitely needs to develop an outside shot to complement his forays to the rim, and his rebounding is subpar for his athleticism. It's not even a case of lacking size because he's pretty much the same height as Luka but exponentially more explosize/athletic. People keep dropping the Barkley comparison but Charles was grabbing 12-14 boards a night in a big man era.

[nayte]

I'm iffy on this one. Luka is the better floor general but is that gonna win more.
Zion has goat level athletism and can drive and finish with the best while playing off the ball
Not sure which style has won more rings but I'ma go with zion

[Phoenix]

I'm iffy on this one. Luka is the better floor general but is that gonna win more.
Zion has goat level athletism and can drive and finish with the best while playing off the ball
Not sure which style has won more rings but I'ma go with zion

Based on what we've seen, you can probably slot Zion onto any team and he'll fit. Luka is more of a 'he is the system' player and if you give them equal talent, he will probably take the team to a better record but the team will maximize when he has pieces around him that can allow him to play more off-ball and be a finisher. He wears out by the 4th because of how much he has to do based on the current roster.

[RRR3]

Could be a case brewing of better floor raiser( Luka) vs ceiling raiser( Zion) but we need to see Luka with a team actually capable of truly contending. Luka is obviously going to have more eye-popping stats because he has a 'do everything' role on the Mavs. Zion definitely needs to develop an outside shot to complement his forays to the rim, and his rebounding is subpar for his athleticism. It's not even a case of lacking size because he's pretty much the same height as Luka but exponentially more explosize/athletic. People keep dropping the Barkley comparison but Charles was grabbing 12-14 boards a night in a big man era.
He’s only 6’6, he’s a fine rebounder for his height. Barkley was GOAT level for his height you shouldn’t expect that.

[Phoenix]

He’s only 6’6, he’s a fine rebounder for his height. Barkley was GOAT level for his height you shouldn’t expect that.

I'm not expecting Barkley numbers, I brought up his name because people seem to defauit to him as a comparison but you're missing the entire rebounding aspect of his name when people say he's the 'modern' Barkley unless they're trying to draw the closest offensive comparison mixed with height/weight/girth etc. While Zion is 6'6, Luka is listed at 6'7 with a career 8.5rpg. There's no reason Zion shouldn't at least be averaging that granted, he's playing 32 minutes a night. I just think he's more than capable of 8-9 boards in the amount of time he plays, especially in a league with the bigs stretched outside the paint.

[nayte]

Feel like Zion won't get the same rebounds as Luka due to styles they play

[nayte]

Based on what we've seen, you can probably slot Zion onto any team and he'll fit. Luka is more of a 'he is the system' player and if you give them equal talent, he will probably take the team to a better record but the team will maximize when he has pieces around him that can allow him to play more off-ball and be a finisher. He wears out by the 4th because of how much he has to do based on the current roster.

And yeah agree with this

[90sgoat]

Zion is probably the other player besides Luka that I think is just fun to watch in the league now.

He hasn't shown any kind of impact that matters though, so we'll have to see with Zion in the playoffs.

It's good for the league if Zion becomes a megastar like Luka, because he plays so differently from Luka and most other stars. Love his attacking, bully ball and drives.

The league has a lot of interesting young stars.

[SATAN]

Zion has been playing well lately.

[elementally morale]

I'm not the biggest fan of Luka but this question seemed weird... and then I saw the poll had Zion up 16 to 4 in the voting which made me feel like I'm in an alternate universe. I do realize it was 15 months ago but Zion did zero things to make this a valid comparison let alone him dominating the poll.

[Carbine]

Zion is not even in the same stratosphere. The difference is like comparing Shawn Kemp to a peak Bird

Zion averaging under 6 rebounds a game with his physical gifts is unbelievable.

[BarberSchool]

Zion is not even in the same stratosphere. The difference is like comparing Shawn Kemp to a peak Bird

Zion averaging under 6 rebounds a game with his physical gifts is unbelievable.
That’s disrespectful to Shawn Kemp.

I recall, when Zion was in high school, might have even posted it here if someone can search, that “they better get a dunk contest or two out of Zion early, before he eats himself out of a career, into a future of perpetual injury after injury”

The combination of “knock-kneed, heavy, and explosive” is a battle nobody can win, not even if Phoenix/Denver/Golden-State/Spirs all pooled their training/rehabilitation staffs together and focused on keeping Zion healthy.

[FultzNationRISE]

Zion is not even in the same stratosphere. The difference is like comparing Shawn Kemp to a peak Bird

Zion averaging under 6 rebounds a game with his physical gifts is unbelievable.


Given Zion's track record, this could partly be an effort issue, but there's another factor you have to bear in mind which is standing reach. That is crucial for rebounding, and it can vary greatly among guys of similar height.

According to the info I see online, Zion has an 8'7 standing reach. That is 2 inches lower than Luka (8'9), who is in turn one inch shorter than Lebron (8'10). For comparison, Dwight Howard was measured at 9'3.5. Elton Brand was allegedly 9'2. There are sources suggesting Barkley was 8'10 altho I dont think it's confirmed but it would make sense. But the point is these guys all have a reach multiple inches longer than Zion. Which given Zion's compact body type, isnt surprising.

And you cant simply say "well he jumps higher so that should compensate." Every rebound isnt a straight up-and-down leap. Sometimes you have to reach for a ball careening past you at an angle and it doesnt matter how vertically high you can jump. You have to just stretch your arm out quickly and grab the ball. And obviously shorter arms puts you at a disadvantage. Also consider that Zion only plays 30 minutes a game, so his raw numbers are at a disadvantage compared to someone playing 36-38 minutes.

There's definitely more context to it than "he only gets 6 rebounds a game, he's not trying."

[BarberSchool]

Given Zion's track record, this could partly be an effort issue, but there's another factor you have to bear in mind which is standing reach. That is crucial for rebounding, and it can vary greatly among guys of similar height.

According to the info I see online, Zion has an 8'7 standing reach. That is 2 inches lower than Luka (8'9), who is in turn one inch shorter than Lebron (8'10). For comparison, Dwight Howard was measured at 9'3.5. Elton Brand was allegedly 9'2. There are sources suggesting Barkley was 8'10 altho I dont think it's confirmed. But the point is these guys all have a reach multiple inches longer than Zion. Which given Zion's compact body type, isnt surprising.

And you cant simply say "well he jumps higher so that should compensate." Every rebound isnt a straight up-and-down leap. Sometimes you have to reach for a ball careening past you at an angle and it doesnt matter how vertically high you can jump. You have to just stretch your arm out quickly and grab the ball. And obviously shorter arms puts you at a disadvantage. Also consider that Zion only plays 30 minutes a game, so his raw numbers are at a disadvantage compared to someone playing 36-38 minutes.

There's definitely more context to it than "he only gets 6 rebounds a game, he's not trying."
Word.
Standing reach is the most unknown factor to fans. It’s why McHale was such a ridiculous shot blocker and rebounder despite barely getting a few inches off the ground on his multiple quick jumps. Dude was 6’10.5” but his shoulders were at the level of a 7’1”-7’2” dude, and with a sick wingspan.

[bizil]

EASILY Luka! Not even a debate. Zion is a beast no doubt about it. But Luka is the arguably best PG on the planet. Peak-prime wise, saying Luka is a top three PG ever peak-prime wise ISN'T outta the question at all. Zion isn't ANYWHERE CLOSE to that type of level among the PF's. Luka is the better scorer, passer, and rebounder by a LARGE MARGIN in all three areas. Zion's rebounding IN PARTICULAR is hella troubling.

[John8204]

Yeah Luka is on a top 30 trajectory while Zion is merely pushing the Hall of Fame. Both are great players who get stupid levels of hate but the time will come for both players.

[Phoenix]

Reportedly Zion has lost 25 lbs since the in-season tourney...

https://nypost.com/2024/03/18/sports/zion-williamson-has-lost-25-pounds-since-pelicans-embarrassment/