This season, the legend of Luka continues to build up his case as a future Hall of Famer. The scary part: he’s only 23 years old.
Through 24 games, Luka Doncic took the leap many expected him to finally take. Statistically, he’s better across the board, including improvement in both volume and efficiency.
Being one of the magnificent stars in the game today, Luka Doncic continues to show everyone why he is MVP worthy putting up MVP numbers averaging 32.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.8 assists while shooting an outstanding 50.1% from the field and 34.3% from 3-point range.
As of now, Doncic generates 4.5 more points per game, exceeding any previous points-per-game total in his first four years. Despite shooting roughly the same number of shots, his efficiency ranks as his career-best this season by a longshot. Luka is shooting over 50% from the field after being no higher than 48% on fewer shots.
In the last 30 years, only three players have had 30 PPG seasons on 50% shooting (Lebron, Curry, KD).
This season, 5 players are on pace to achieve that feat:
– Luka Doncic
– Steph Curry
– Joel Embiid
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
– Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/VjCDiozQx7— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) December 6, 2022
Doncic continues to gift the Mavs with surreal perimeter play. Unfortunately, his team hasn’t done the same.
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Current MVP race
The MVP race remains tight with Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum and possibly Anthony Davis emerging as contenders for the award. They are leaders. We all know their respective teams wouldn’t be as dominant without their presence on the floor.
Per FanDuel, Doncic sits with the third-best odds to win MVP at +300. He trails Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with each putting up great numbers and driving team success. After Doncic, the other candidates are way down the MVP ladder, per the betting odds.
Statistically, Doncic rates better than either Tatum or Antetokounmpo. And from a usage standpoint, Luka shoulders a bigger load of the offense by a mile versus Tatum and just barely ahead of Giannis.
Team performance also factors in, however. So far, Dallas’ supporting cast remains below average.
Luka Doncic has scored 30+ PTS in each of his first six games.
Michael Jordan was the last player to do this in 1986. @HoopMuse pic.twitter.com/Ub3ds7U66b
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 31, 2022
Dallas’ lackluster supporting cast
At 13-13 on the season, Dallas sits dead center in the middle of the Western Conference pack. Compared to last season, the conference is way more open. But with more possibility comes more uncertainty. There are a number of teams who could sneak into the Finals as a representative of the West.
Yet, you have to imagine Dallas isn’t in the top-three range in the conference.
The Dallas Mavericks, however, need to amp up their collective performance. Mark Cuban’s Mavs are towards the bottom half of the NBA statistics from an offensive standpoint. Dallas ranks 18th with 111.5 points per game, last in rebounds and 28th in assists.
Individually, the Mavs’ wings have been particularly disappointing so far. Reggie Bullock is at 28% on threes, while Dorian Finney-Smith is under 34%. Yes, Christian Wood‘s and Spencer Dinwiddie‘s hot shooting keep the Mavs afloat in the non-Luka minutes. However, neither is a reliable surefire second scorer on a night-to-night basis.
The lack of rebounding and assists ranks as the biggest concerns for Dallas. If the Mavs are on fire from the floor, almost no one can stop them. But when the shots aren’t falling, Doncic’s isolation is the only thing keeping the Mavs afloat.
After all, the Mavs rank 30th in overall field-goal attempts and field-goal efficiency. It’s a slow-tempo team that plays at Doncic’s pace. There isn’t a reliable second playmaker that Dallas can stagger in the rotation.
Individually, Doncic remains superb. But unless Dallas makes a move or finds a diamond-in-the-rough player, it’s hard to see the Mavs returning to the Conference Finals.
Then again, with Luka Doncic, anything is possible.
There’s plenty season left, but the star guard needs help if Dallas wants to push for the playoffs.
