It is not a coincidence that Luka Doncic is everyday in the covers. He WAS chosen as one of the participants for the NBA Skills Challenge in the All-Star weekend (though he did not make it to the final, surprisingly) and he was also a starter in Team Lebron (the All-Star Game winner); the Slovenian is one of the best players in the league and he proves it every game. An idol for many and loved by his fans, Doncic is a promise that will go very far in his career.
Numbers are on his side:
Luka Doncic is on the 7th spot at the best individual statistics ranking in the NBA. He averages 28.6 points, 8,4 rebounds and 9 assists per game. These numbers almost reach the Double-Triple and show the Dallas Mavericks´ shooting guard´s potential.
But apart from his numbers, Luka Doncic is a leader. The best player from the Dallas Mavericks. He plays more minutes than anyone else, scored more than his teammates and despite being a shooting guard is the one who earns the most rebounds from the Texans franchise. Now the question we are all the fans making to ourselves is if he will become in the next Dirk Nowwitzki.
Mavs can´t find their best level:
Despite Luka Doncic´s brilliant numbers, the Texan team is not showing the expected level. They are 10th in the Western Conference, behind the Warriors and the Grizzlies. Their record is 17-16. Pelicans are right behind them with 19 looses.
If the season ended today, the Maverciks would have to face the Denver Nuggets in a series to go into the Playoffs, as the first six teams this years will automatically make it to the second part of the season and the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th will play a series between them. With a more competitive roster, the Mavs should seal a spot in the top 6.
Born to succeed:
The Slovenian already proved his great talent during his time at Real Madrid. He played along with other excellent players such as Felipe Reyes, Sergio Llul or Facundo Campazzo. He won important trophies with the team like the Euroleague, the International Cup, three leagues and two Spanish Cups; and also individual awards like the Euroleague MVP and its Final Four, the regular season, the best young player… He did not do bad with his National Team either: he won the Golden in the 2017 Eurobasket, where he knocked out Spain in the semifinals.
Europe became small for the young shooting guard and the NBA was his ideal destination. He was chosen as the third pick in the 2018 Draft and he became one of the most beloved players from the crowd and made himself a name in the league.He ended up winning the Rookie of the Year Award, just as Pau Gasol did before (they are the only European players who have ever won this award).
I am sure that Luka will win the MVP at some point in his career. Maybe it will not be in Dallas, you never know in the NBA. What we all know is that this guy does not stop astonishing us in each game and that he will be a referent in the NBA, as Nowitzki or Pau were one day.
And you, Do you think that Luka Doncic´s career has any ceiling?
Translated by Guillermo Bermejo.