Has Shai passed Luka? If so, when? (impact as a player + all-time)

[Im Still Ballin]

I'm sure this thread has previously been made, but there was a Reddit post about it today, and it got me thinking. Has Shai passed Luka? If so, when? I mean it, both as a current player (goodness/impact on the game) but also all-time in a legacy sense. It's an interesting player comparison because Luka burst onto the scene while Shai took a few years to develop. Two prospects from the same draft, an early bloomer who hasn't really improved all that much since 2019-20, and a late bloomer with consistent and steady progress over a number of years.

Luka may have gotten to 95%+ of what he is now by year 2, but Shai's incremental approach has led him to arguably greater heights. I'm thinking about this with Cooper Flagg in mind.

Shai took a step up starting in 2022-23. He arguably outplayed Luka (injured?) in the 2023-24 WCSF series. He won an MVP, FMVP, and NBA Championship in 2024-25. Seems like if he did pass him as a player, it might have been 2024. For resume/legacy/all-time ranking, after 2025 with the accolades.

[FultzNationRISE]

I think in the playoffs, gun to my head I'd still take Luka. He's just a more unstoppable offensive force typically.

But I wouldnt argue with people taking SGA. Maturity and leadership wise he's more dependable day in and day out than Doncic. And obviously the defensive disparity is a factor as well, although I don't think offense and defense weigh equally in these individual comparisons the way some here do.

In terms of comparing people by accolades then I guess it does have to be SGA at this point, although I've never cared about that stuff.

[Yes or No]

Swap them and which team gets better? Which gets worse? I rest my case. You already know.

[ShawkFactory]

Swap them and which team gets better? Which gets worse? I rest my case. You already know.

You think the Lakers get better?

[Wally450]

He's passed him with accolades, but I don't think Shai could do what Luka did in the 2024 playoffs.

[jlip]

I consider Luka to be an overall better player and a higher "floor raiser." I believe that all other things being equal, he could carry a team much further than SGA could under the same circumstances. But if I have to consider all time rankings which does factor in accolades and awards, SGA is presently ever so slightly higher in terms of all time rankings.

Keep in mind, that we're not comparing a role player or an average player who just so happened to obtain accolades simply because he was on a good team to a superstar who has not been able to achieve said team success just yet. We are comparing two elite players against each other. So, while again, I consider Luka to be a better individual player, SGA is individually good enough himself to where Luka's edge does not quite trump the accolade disparity as it pertains their all time rankings.

With that being said, they are, as of this stage of their careers essentially in the same tier to me though, and five years from now everything could be completely different.

[Mask the Embiid]

Shai plays defense. He's been better than him for years. He also outplays him h2h almost everytime they play for the stat geeks

[ImKobe]

Shai plays defense. He's been better than him for years. He also outplays him h2h almost everytime they play for the stat geeks

Ok, but replace the two and is Luka's defense really an issue for OKC with the guys he'd have around him? Their offense would be a lot better with his playmaking.

Doncic has a much higher ceiling on offense. I don't think SGA's individual defense matters that much in this NBA. If this was 10 years ago Shai would probably be slightly better but Doncic can put up 35 a game while really struggling to make any shots outside 16 ft. He's shooting ~95% at the rim thus far .

[Full Court]

SGA is just plain a better player than Luka. Luka has the edge on offense, albeit a very slight one, but SGA is not a liability on defense like Luka is.

[Xiao Yao You]

Was luka ever ahead of shai? 2 way player in shape vs a guy other teams put on an island on d and is a fatass

[ShawkFactory]

Luka has had a great start but I think it’s pretty clear at the moment that Shai is better. Just so consistent and what he does isn’t really stoppable, just have to hope he has an off shooting night.

I’ll never call him an elite defender but he plays very well within the defensive structure they have and has great instincts on that end.

If you’re asking me who I want right now it’s not even a question for me. Luka will have the spectacular sometimes but will also get frustrated and/or winded. None of that with Shai.

[BarberSchool]

Shai is more consistent.
More boring.
Less entertaining.
But more dependable.
Shai might blow up for an efficient 44 every so often,
but Shai can’t explode for 70.
Shai doesn’t go on team-crushing 15-4 runs by himself.
Shai doesn’t score 25 in a 40pt first quarter and demoralize teams a few times a month.

BTW:
Luka’s game winner and buzzer beater resume at 26 is already top 5 all time.
If I want to play it safe … Shai

If I want to gamble for a higher peak, greater glory, and some lower lows, Luka.