What The Mavericks Aren’t Telling You About Luka Doncic…

The Mavericks accomplished what they set out to accomplish in the 2017-2018 season. As hard as it might be to explain to your 8 year old nephew who still thinks sports are about, you know, winning. By losing more than 55 games and securing a bottom 5 record, the Mavericks were able to set themselves up for a bright future. They were in the midst of a transition period, moving on from one of the most successful eras in their history. As you know, sometimes in order to move forward, you have to take a step back. In the 2017-18 NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks finished with the worst record in over 20 years. It was even worse than the previous 2016-17 season, which had previously been their second worst record in history. With this, the Mavericks were set to have a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft for the first time since 1994, when they drafted Jason Kidd with the second pick. Donchich Draft Day Trade I'm sure you've all seen pictures of Luka Donchich in an Atlanta Hawks hat and Trey Young in a Dallas Mavericks hat. Don't be surprised, this is just part of the NBA draft process. The trade rules in the draft often lead to players wearing the hat of a team that traded them away while they shake hands with Commissioner Adam Silver. Donchich was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick, but he was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Young, on the other hand, was taken by the Mavericks with the fifth overall pick, but he was sent to the Hawks in exchange for Donchich. The Mavericks also sent a first-round pick to the Hawks as part of the deal. Dallas Mavericks Trading for Luka It's easy to look back and see that trading for Luka Donchich was a no-brainer for the Mavericks, especially given his dominant performance in the EuroLeague as an 18-year-old. But at the time, it wasn't quite as clear-cut. Some might have thought the Mavericks were making a silly decision by trading for Donchich, but now, it's obvious that he's a better player and it was the right move for the team. There was no doubt as to whether Donchich could contribute right away. He had just won the EuroLeague MVP, so playing NBA minutes wouldn't be a huge leap. Then-Mavs coach Rick Carlisle spoke on the night of the draft and said keeping a future pick wasn't much of a value for a team that wanted to turn the corner. Future draft picks, to me, are of very little interest at this point. We've got to take this group and move these guys forward, Carlisle said. The Mavericks had just taken Dennis Smith Jr., a point guard from North Carolina State, with the 9th pick of the 2017 NBA draft. And so, they didn't need another young point guard. The Mavericks had found a way to get an immediate contributor, and they took it. While many players considered DeAndre Ayton and Marvin Bagley to be the top prospects in the Luka was never seen as the consensus best player. Ayton ended up going first overall to the Phoenix Suns, and Bagley was selected second by the Sacramento Kings. But as we now know, Luka has proven to be a dominant force in the league and has solidified his place as one of the best players in the game. Luka is a talented point guard, but when he joined the Dallas Mavericks, the position was already filled by Dennis Smith Jr., the Mavericks' previous lottery pick whom the Mavs had proclaimed to be a foundation piece. So Luka began his NBA career, officially listed as a forward sharing facilitating duties with Dennis Smith Jr. He was making every pass look effortless, and he was impacting every aspect of the game. Not only that, but he was also getting a ton of rebounds and finding his teammates with perfect timing. He was absolutely amazing on the court, and it was crystal clear that he had the skills to play point guard. The Mavs decided to maximize the potential of their then-rookie Luka Doncic, and in order to do that, they needed to make a change of point guard. And so, they made the tough decision to part ways with Dennis Smith Jr., who was included in the package sent to the New York Knicks in the Christat Porzingis trade, making Luka their point guard. Luka then burst onto the scene and won Rookie of the Year honors in 2019. But it was the following season that he really made a name for himself. He was a finalist for the Most Improved Player Award, averaging an impressive 29 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists per game. Luka in the Mavs currently It's no secret that the Mavs are on a roll, and a lot of that has to do with the emergence of Luka Doncic as an MVP-type player. Now, some of you may argue that the departure of Christat Porzingis has helped Luka shine even more, but I believe it's all thanks to the magic Luka has been bringing to the court against any team in the NBA this season. He's really been a force to be reckoned with. Luka is currently the league's leading scorer, averaging 34 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game. It's truly impressive to see such incredible stats from a player who isn't even known for being very athletic. Instead, Luka relies on his skills and intelligence to dominate the court. Luka has been an absolute force for the Mavericks since he arrived on the scene. His talent and leadership have helped propel the Dallas team to new heights, and if they continue playing at this level, there's a good chance we could see Luka's first MVP season. Luka is something special. He has achieved feats that not even the great Wilt Chamberlain accomplished, and the best part is, Luka recently put together a historic performance of 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists as he led the Mavericks to a 126-121 overtime victory over the New York Knicks. Yeah, you definitely heard it right, a 60-point triple-double, which was the second one in NBA history. Doncic's Style of Play Doncic has a unique style of play that sets him apart from other players. He pushes the boundaries of what is expected in the world of basketball and constantly challenges the status quo. One of Luka's standout qualities is his ability to think strategically and come up with effective ways to help himself and his team succeed. His opponents are often left with no response to his tactics. Although he may not be the most athletic player on the field, he relies heavily on his driving ability when attacking. His technique is very calculated, and he knows exactly when to strike and which angles to use for maximum success. His ability to create space on his release or fake the floater while stopping and spinning back for a fake mid-range jumper is truly impressive. But it's not just his shooting skills that stand out. His footwork is incredible as well. It allows him to create scoring opportunities without even needing a live dribble. He's a master at using pivots, spins and fakes to open up angles and get his man on the hip. And when he wants to drive to the basket, he can spin into the lane for a fake jump shot and then step through for a scoop layup. Overall, Doncic's versatility and finesse make him a force to be reckoned with on the court. Luka's legacy with the Maverick On Christmas Day, the Dallas Mavericks honored their former great Dirk Nowitzki with a statue. But with the performances that Luka is putting up currently, the Mavericks might have to commission another monument for the young star. It'll be another statue in Dallas. Luka is like that. Former NBA MVP Kevin Garnett said Dallas coach Jason Kidd, who ended his playing career ranked 4th in all-time triple-doubles in the NBA, said the fans are privileged to see such talent on the court. We sit here every night and we're lucky. We can't take him for granted. Again, people get their money's worth when they come watch him play. He puts on a show, he said. Luka Doncic was mentored by Nowitzki when he arrived in Texas, and they played together in Nowitzki's final season in 2018-2019. Nowitzki was a 14-time All-Star and the first European player to start in an All-Star game, the first European MVP as well as the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history. Doncic has truly established himself as one of the best offensive players in the world. His talent is undeniable, and it's clear that he's a force to be reckoned with on the court. And at only 23 years old, Doncic has already accomplished more than most, leaving us all to wonder what the future holds for this young star. What does a 28-year-old Luka look like? What will a 30-year-old Luka Doncic look like? How much further can he push the boundaries of the game? Only time will tell. For us, we just have to enjoy his play as he continues pushing the boundaries of this beautiful game.