Luka Donkic was born in 1999. 1999. I think I had armpit hair in ’99. In his first season in the league, the 19-year-old has proven that age is just a number–averaging 20.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 5.4 apg in a historic rookie season. There have been just three rookies over the past 40 years to average more than 20-5-5: Tyreke Evans, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan.
Luka is also the first teenager in NBA history with multiple triples doubles.Despite his productivity at such a young age, the Slovenian sensation failed to make the Western Conference’s 12-man All-Star roster this season. What’s more is that Donkic earned 4,242,980 votes (3rd overall), the most ever for a player who did not make the All-Star game.
You could make the case that Luka deserved a spot over players like LaMarcus Aldridge or Klay Thompson, but that would end up being a circular argument.
During Thursday night’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, Luka was told that he did not make the team by a staffer on the bench. His demeanor changes real quick.
— Overtime (@overtime) February 1, 2019
After the game, Donkic opened up to the media about not making the squad.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) February 1, 2019
If Luka can take any comfort from the snub, it’s that just nine rookies in the past 35 NBA seasons have been named All-Stars and LeBron James isn’t one of them.
For others, it may take some time to process the news.
— Bill Matar (@BillMatar) February 1, 2019
— abdulmalik (@abdulmalikhaled) February 1, 2019
No comment.
— Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) February 1, 2019
— Ryan Eder (@KingRoin28) February 1, 2019
— Magic Jordan (@dogtheballer) January 25, 2019
