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Luka Doncic was selected with the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, and following a hugely impressive debut season, the 20-year-old was named Rookie of the Year. While big things were expected of Doncic as he entered his sophomore year, the Dallas Mavericks star has stunned the NBA with a series of incredible performances.
Through 25 appearances this season, Doncic is averaging 29.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game - and the former EuroLeague star seems to be breaking longstanding records on almost a nightly basis. He has also managed to propel the Mavericks into contention to secure playoff home-court advantage, and his performances have been so impressive that many have argued that his sophomore year is better than LeBron James' second-year in the league that came during the 2004-05 season.
So, as Doncic continues to thrill the NBA world, here we will take a look at a full sophomore year comparison between Doncic and James.
#1 Shooting
During the 2004-05 season, James averaged 27.2 points per game - a tally that remains the most managed by a 20-year-old in NBA history. Over the past 15 years, big names such as Kevin Durant have come close to beating LeBron's sophomore points tally - although it appears that Doncic will finally be the man to do it. Through 25 appearances this season, Doncic is averaging 29.3 points per contest and his consistency on the offensive end has been remarkable as he has recorded less than 20 points on just two occasions.
Delving further into their sophomore numbers, James shot 47.2% from the field during the 2004-05 season, while connecting with 35% of his 3.9 three-point attempts per contest. Meanwhile, Doncic is shooting 48.1% from the field and has knocked down 32.7% of his 9.3 attempts per game from beyond the arc.
In addition to attempting more three-pointers, Doncic is also getting to the free-throw line more often (9.2 vs 8.0), and the Slovenian's accuracy of 80.2% betters LeBron's 75%. Ultimately, it's a close call when it comes to shooting, although Doncic has the slight edge.
Winner - Luka Doncic
#2 Ball Distribution
Despite entering the league as a small forward, Doncic has spent most of his time in Dallas' backcourt, and his incredible passing ability is among the most notable aspects of his game. His vision and ability to read the game has allowed him to find open teammates with ease, and Doncic is averaging 8.6 assists per game. Only James and Ricky Rubio are currently managing more assists per game, and Doncic's ball disruption will only continue to get better as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, LeBron has been an excellent passer since entering the league, and he managed 7.2 assists seasons in his second year in the NBA as he established himself as Cleveland's chief ballhandler. Just like Doncic, LeBron's vision set him apart from the other best passers in the league and while his turnover rate was lower than Doncic's (3.3 vs 4.4) - there is too little difference to say that either player is a better passer at the age of 20.
Winner - Tie
#3 Athleticism
There were plenty of concerns over Doncic's athleticism heading into the 2018 NBA Draft, and while the criticism proved to be excessive - Doncic simply can't compete with the league's most athletic stars. While no slug, Doncic's average athleticism means that he has to rely on his craftiness to get past defenders - although this could eventually help his game age better as he gets older.
Meanwhile, LeBron's freakish athleticism has been well documented throughout his career, and in terms of athletic prowess - James has often been labeled the most blessed athlete in history. The Lakers star is still driving to the basket like a high-speed freight train at the age of 34, and it is worth remembering that he was even quicker at the age of 20 as he was approaching his physical peak.
Winner - LeBron James
#4 Strength
Doncic spent much of the offseason working on his conditioning and strength - and there is no doubting that the Mavericks star is in better shape when compared to his first season in the league. His minutes per game have been upped due to his improved conditioning, although Doncic still has room for growth going forward - and it won't be surprising to see him further work on his body during the 2020 offseason.
In comparison, LeBron has always been well known for his upper body strength, and the Ohio native was listed at 240 pounds during the 2004-05 season. At the tender age of 20, LeBron was also among the most physically impressive players in the league, and the Cavaliers star was able to use his strength to great effect at both ends of the court.
Winner - LeBron James
#5 Defense
While Doncic's historic start to the season has earned a huge amount of admiration, his defense has received some deserved criticism. His effort on the defensive end has been questioned at times, and opposing teams have been able to enjoy success when isolating him. From a statistical standpoint, Doncic has been able to pull down 8.3 defensive rebounds per game, while also averaging 1.2 steals per contest - although he has managed just three blocks over his 25 appearances this season.
Meanwhile. James was already regarded as an excellent defender during his sophomore year, and he finished the season averaging 6.2 defensive rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks. LeBron's sophomore season defensive win share of 4.6 also far surpasses Doncic's figure of 1.2, and while Doncic may one day develop into an elite defender - James was better on the defensive end at this stage of his career.
Winner - LeBron James
Verdict
There is no doubt that Doncic and LeBron are the best two 20-year-old's that we have ever seen in the NBA, and the Mavericks star appears well on course to establishing himself as the best player in the league over the next few years.
However, while Doncic is a better offensive player than James was at the same stage of his career, in terms of all-round talent and impact on the game, LeBron remains as the best sophomore to ever play the game.
