Mavericks rookie sensation Luka Doncic has gotten off to a great rookie year averaging 20.6 points on 43% shooting almost at the halfway mark of the season. Prior to the NBA he spent 3 seasons playing for Real Madrid and as per Bleacher Report, Doncic has found it much easier to score in the NBA as opposed to his FIBA days.
Doncic alludes to the bigger court and the 3-second in the paint rule making it easier for him to score. The NBA court is bigger at 94 feet by 50 feet versus FIBA court which is approximately 92 feet by 48 feet. FIBA also doesn’t have a 3 second in the paint rule which allows defenders to camp in the paint to avert scorers to entering the paint at will.
As per Alex Madrid of Eurohoops.net, Doncic says:
“Here [in the NBA] it’s easier to score compared to Europe, of course,” Doncic said. “In Europe, the court is smaller, and here there is the three seconds rule. I think it’s easier to score here.”
Doncic makes a great point as scoring has reached an all time high where each NBA team as of today is averaging at least 100 points per game. Also the positionless basketball has led to more teams throwing out 5 players who can all score from anywhere on the court and an emphasis on the 3 point shot.
Current Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni can be credited with the uptick on 3 point shots and faster pace of play during his time with the Phoenix Suns where they ran a 7 seconds or less offense that led to multiple conference finals appearances. Safe to say that Doncic has benefited from the faster pace of the NBA as he looks to be the sure lock winner for Rookie of the Year.