The rising star Luka Doncic has always been a dynamic player, so it’s no surprise that his recent performance in the 2018 NBA Playoffs have seen him enter into contention for both Rookie of The Year (ROY) and Most Valuable Player honors. What is shocking, however, is how quickly he rose to this position- within three short seasons since his draft selection by Atlanta in 2017.
The “luka doncic mvp euroleague” is a story that has been going on for the last few weeks. Luka Doncic has himself in position to steal the NBA scoring title and MVP.
The Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic had a rough start to the season. They started to claw their way back up the Western Conference rankings, and have been one of the greatest teams in the NBA since the year 2022 began.
At the trade deadline, Dallas traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards, and the lackluster return of Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans has further increased Luka’s possibilities.
And the 22-year-old is making the most of it.
Doncic’s pre-All-Star break hot streak, which included a career-high 51-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers, propelled him into consideration for the NBA MVP Award, and he’s not far behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid in the scoring race.
There’s no reason Luka can’t win both awards by the conclusion of the regular season if he keeps scorching his way to the playoffs and keeps the Mavs winning.
Doncic was on a tear leading up to the All-Star break.
After a defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks shreds his jersey as he walks off the field. | Getty Images/Richard Rodriguez
Prior to the NBA All-Star break, Luka had been playing his best basketball of his career. Over the course of four games, he averaged 40 points, something he had never done before in his already illustrious career.
Those were the four games after the transfer of Porzingis, whether by coincidence or not.
Doncic scored 51 points in a victory against the Clippers only hours after the trade. Two nights later, he scored 45 against LA in a rematch, then 49 against the New Orleans Pelicans following a 21-point performance against the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat.
Since January 1, Luka has averaged 29.3 points per game, good for seventh in the NBA.
“Luka is the sort of guy who can shoulder the weight for the whole of the season, not just four games,” Dallas head coach Jason Kidd stated via NBA.com. “Right now, he’s playing at an All-Star level, if not an MVP level, and that’s exactly what we need heading into the second half.”
But it’s not only his scoring that might earn him a surprising MVP award.
Since January 1, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks have been one of the greatest teams in the NBA.
During those 23 games, Luka has also averaged 10.3 rebounds and 9.4 assists. His rebounding total is third only to Giannis and Embiid among the league’s top scorers, while his assist total is the most in the NBA.
However, basic metrics aren’t the only factors that determine MVPs; team success and narrative also play a part.
The Mavs have an 18-6 record since the start of the year, second only to the Phoenix Suns in the league during that time. Despite Luka’s offensive prowess, Dallas ranks 23rd in the NBA in scoring. The Mavericks, on the other hand, are second in terms of points allowed, as their defense continues to shoulder the weight.
However, this helps Doncic’s case for MVP. His club, more than any other in the NBA, depends on his scoring and offensive skills. With Porzingis out, Jalen Brunson has taken over as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16.3 points per game.
Luka will be the reason the Mavs continue to climb the West rankings. And if that occurs, the NBA’s attention will be drawn to Doncic’s potential to carry an entire team (again).
On the eve of a game against the Utah Jazz on Feb. 25, the 6-foot-7 point guard is sixth in the NBA in scoring. Embiid, Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, and Trae Young are all ahead of him.
Is Luka’s chance of winning the scoring crown a long shot? Yes. Is it unthinkable? No.
If the current trend continues, the Slovenian sensation might win MVP and the scoring championship.
Through games on Jan. 24, here’s how all members of the Dallas Mavericks have fared on both ends of the floor during the 2021-22 NBA season, per TPA. pic.twitter.com/DraDALvloc
— NBA Math (@NBA_Math) January 25, 2022
James Harden is now Embiid’s shooting partner. Durant is still ailing and will most likely be eased back into the Brooklyn Nets lineup in the hopes of a championship run. Even as excellent as the Chicago Bulls star has been, DeRozan isn’t even a full point per game ahead of Luka, who is a superior offensive player.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.4 ppg) and LeBron James (29.4 ppg) are Doncic’s major opponents in this area (29.1). Luka has just averaged 40 points a game over the last five days, and Dallas won’t be able to survive without him. For his team to win, he has to score.
It’s not impossible that the league’s second-highest usage player (Embiid is now #1) averages 30-plus minutes per game throughout the remaining six weeks of the season. Last season, he averaged 35.7 points per game in the playoffs.
Luka’s postseason success is perhaps more crucial to him – despite lighting up the NBA, he has yet to get beyond the first round. The Mavericks, on the other hand, aren’t constructed to accomplish it without Doncic. He may be able to steal a few trophies if he can bring Dallas to where it needs to go.
NBA.com provided all data.
Luka Doncic Can’t Believe DeMar DeRozan’s Mid-Range Brilliance RELATED: Luka Doncic Can’t Believe DeMar DeRozan’s Mid-Range Brilliance
The “where is luka doncic from” is a question that has been asked multiple times. Luka Doncic, the 19-year-old Slovenian professional basketball player, has himself in position to steal the NBA scoring title and MVP.
Related Tags
- luka doncic mvp 2020
- has luka doncic win mvp
- luka doncic mvp odds
- luka doncic career points
- luka doncic height weight
