Speaking with the media ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals this week, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd made a bold statement on the status of Luka Doncic. As Kidd argued to reporters, the young Slovenian has a chance to become the greatest player in Mavericks history if he wins the Finals this year to capture his first NBA title.
Malika Andrews: “You’ve talked about Luka in the highest of company, Dirk. If Luka wins a ring this year, does he have a shot at the claim of greatest Maverick ever?”
Jason Kidd: “Yes, yes he does.”
Jason Kidd says Luka would become "the greatest Maverick ever" with a championship. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/cMOyD8Iaij
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 5, 2024
Before Luka, the 3rd overall pick in 2018, entered the equation, Dirk Nowitzki was the only answer for the greatest Mavericks player ever. With a career stat line of 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, the German superstar proved unstoppable in his prime. When he won the championship in 2011, however, his legacy as the franchise’s GOAT was set in stone.
It wasn’t until Doncic’s arrival years later that the Mavericks found another player who could rival his greatness. In just six seasons, Luka (25) has emerged as a generational talent with averages of 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game on 48.7% shooting.
Luka already led the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals back in 2022 and now he has taken the Mavericks to the final round, just four wins away from the championship. If he can pull it off and do what no player has done before, it may be all that’s necessary to cement his place as the greatest Maverick ever. That’s what’s on the line for Luka and the Mavericks in this Finals series and I believe they will fight harder than ever to secure their place in history.
Jason Kidd On The Mavericks’ Biggest Priority Ahead Of Game 1
Facing their toughest challenge yet of the postseason, the Mavericks are going to need to be nearly perfect from here on out if they want to win the title. With Luka Doncic and 2016 champion Kyrie Irving on the squad, it’s safe to say that they have nothing to worry about offensively.
As Kidd alluded to in his latest media conversation, the focus for this series will be on defense, just like it has been through the first three rounds.
“We’re gonna continue to talk about defense,” said Kidd. “We started the season talking about offense and we made a pivot to playing defense and the guys have bought in. Even Luka and Kai are playing defense at a high level for us.”
The turning point for the Mavericks’ season was the NBA trade deadline when they flipped Grant Williams and other assets into a haul that became Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington.
With some size, strength, and versatility under the rim, the Mavericks were finally able to show some resistance on defense and it’s made them one of the most dangerous teams of the playoffs.
While I don’t think it’s impossible for the Mavericks to maintain this defense in the Finals, it’s going to be difficult to slow down the Celtics, who have all the offensive weapons that any team could imagine. But if Luka finds a way to lead the charge and pull this off, his legacy will never be the same and the entire Mavericks franchise will treat him like a hero.
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