NBA Hall of Famer declares Luka better than LeBron at same point of career

Luka Dončić > LeBron?

Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway, who starred in the NBA from 1989-2003,  believes the Mavericks' superstar is better than James was at the same point in their careers. 

In an exclusive interview with Sports Lens, said Dončić playing professionally overseas before being drafted in 2018 was a big reason why he's made the transition to the NBA look so effortless.

"We have to remember, Luka has been playing professional basketball since he was 16 ... He's been playing against grown men. LeBron just started playing against grown men at 18. Then he had to figure it out," said Hardaway Sr. (h/t Sports Lens)

Dončić, 23, played for Real Madrid in the Euro League from the 2014-15 season through 2017-18. 

In his fifth NBA season, Dončić is playing at an MVP level. He is averaging 34.8 points (49.8 percent shooting), 8.1 assists and 8.2 rebounds.

The players share similar stats, both through their first five seasons and in their age-23 season. 

In 2007-08, when James was 23, he averaged 30 points on 48.4 percent shooting. He added 7.2 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game

Per Stat Head, the two have produced equally impressive numbers through their first five seasons.

James averaged 27.3 points on 46.7 percent shooting, 6.6 assists and 6.9 rebounds during his first five seasons. Dončić is averaging 26.7 points (45.9 percent shooting), eight assists and 8.5 rebounds.

As great as Dončić has been to start his NBA career, he has a long way to go to catch up to James as an all-time great. There's no doubt he's gotten off on the right foot. When it comes to who is better at 23 --- Dončić or James --- there is no wrong answer.