At the current point in time, the NBA might have the most talent, in terms of players, that it has ever seen. The level of play has been spectacular the past few years, as players regularly post superhuman stat lines, with 12 different players having scored over 50 points in a game this season.
To be the best in the NBA, however, you have to be able to do much more than just scoring. You need to have multiple elements to your game, and be an important factor in your team’s success. At the moment, no one checks these boxes better than Dallas Mavericks’ guard Luka Doncic.
From the moment he stepped on the court from overseas five seasons ago, he has put his immense talent on display and quickly established himself as one of the most skilled players in the world. After continued great performances and positive development over the past few seasons, Doncic has become a force to reckon with on the basketball court. Below are just a few reasons why I believe Luka Doncic is the best player in the world.
Mind-Blowing Stats
After getting drafted 3rd overall in 2018 by the Atlanta Hawks and traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Luka entered the NBA in dominant fashion. He posted the 2nd most points per game as a rookie since 2000, after Blake Griffin, as he went on to win Rookie of the Year and was named to 1st-team all rookie.
However, things really took off for Doncic in his sophomore season, as he improved his points, assists, and rebounds per game as well as increasing his field goal and free throw percentage. He led the Mavericks to their first postseason appearance in three years and earned his 1st All-Star and 1st All-NBA first team selection as well.
He followed up his second year performance by posting back to back 27.5+ points, 8.0+ rebounds, and 8.5+ assist seasons en route to two additional playoff appearances, All-Star selections, and All-NBA first team selections.
Now, in his 5th season with the Mavericks, he’s posted a league leading four 50-point games and 33.3 point per game average. In addition to this, he’s averaged 8.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game, which ranks 6th in the NBA, and currently averages a career high 1.5 steals per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Luka’s unreal stat line has put the Mavericks back into position to make the playoffs, as he continues to dominate the NBA.
Return to Postseason Success
Prior to Doncic’s arrival to Dallas, the Mavericks hadn’t made the playoffs in two seasons and hadn’t won a playoff series since their NBA Finals victory over the Miami Heat in 2011. Doncic was unable to lead his lackluster Maverick squad to the playoffs in his rookie season, after they finished 14th in the West, but laid the foundation for the future of the team.
Luka followed up his rookie season by leading the Dallas Mavericks to three successive postseason appearances, with the team in place to make their 4th appearance this season. However, what is most notable is the horrendous playoff run that the Dallas Mavericks had suffered for a decade.
Prior to Luka’s first playoff appearance in 2020, the Mavericks were 0-4 in playoff series in four appearances. He unfortunately suffered the same fate as the Mavericks of the past, as he lost back-to-back first round series, but was able to break their drought in his third try, as he led the Mavericks to two playoff series wins en route to the Western Conference.
With the Mavericks in good shape for another deep playoff-run, their successes can be accredited to none other than Luka Doncic. He has turned this franchise around and will surely keep his team in the championship conversation for years to come.
Ability to Win Under Difficult Circumstances
Since he first arrived in Dallas, he has been by far the best player on the Mavericks and has been able to lead them to success, despite the lack of talent around him. After inheriting an abysmal team with a 24-58 record, Luka has beaten that win total in every season he’s played, as well as three-consecutive winning seasons.
In Doncic’s five season career, he has taken the floor with 58 different players. Out of those 58 players, only 4 of them had been named an all-star with only one of them being won while playing with Luka. His all-star teammates included 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitski, who received his final selection Luka’s rookie year, 8-time All-Star Kyrie Irving, 1-time All-Star Kristaps Porzingis, who received his only selection with the Knicks in 2018, and 1-time All-Star Deandre Jordan, who received his sole selection with the Clippers in 2017.
Despite the lack of talent around him, Luka has still found ways to control his team and win games. Things may be changing now that the Mavs went out and traded for Kyrie Irving, who will be a lethal supplement to Luka’s game. Despite only taking the court together twice, prior to the All-Star break these superstar guards are instant contenders.
