NBA Awards 2019: 3 reasons why Luka Doncic should win the Rookie of the Year Award

2) Replica of the great Lebron James or better?

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Lakers

Luka had a historic run this year, and his comparisons to LeBron James were inevitable. Let us statistically compare both of their rookie seasons.

Lebron James averaged 20.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in his rookie season which is less than Luka's 21.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Lebron shot at 41.7% from the field and 29% from beyond the three-point line which also lags behind Luka's 42.7% and 32.7% respectively. However, a point worth noting is that Lebron played for more minutes per game(39 per game) than Luka.

This is a massive comparison for young Luka, and very few rookies even come close to it.

European pro players develop quicker than American players--- Lebron James on Luka

LeBron James on Luka Doncic and how European pro players develop quicker than American players pic.twitter.com/01BSiHcn7v

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) October 31, 2018

This is just a start for Doncic and being compared to LeBron is in itself a great achievement for him. Lebron won this award in 2003 with the above stats, and Luka deserves to win it this year.