Paul George has gone head-to-head with Luka Doncic plenty of times in the West, and he’s convinced the Lakers star is destined for all-time greatness. On a recent episode of Podcast P, George praised Doncic’s maturity and dominance, saying he has a chance to surpass some of the greatest international players the game has ever seen.
“We’re talking about being the biggest international player now,” said George on Podcast P. “That’s surpassing GOATs, you know what I mean? That’s surpassing Dirk, that’s surpassing Tony Parker, that’s surpassing Hakeem. He’s got a chance to be the biggest international guy. Surpassing Giannis, in a way. He’s got a chance to be one of the best to ever do it. His game is just way older than what he is. He’s tough, man. He’s a problem. Big fan of Luka. And he talks that sh*t too. He’s a child killer.”
Luka Doncic is only 26 years old, but he’s already made his mark on the NBA. Since being drafted in 2018, he’s made five All-Star appearances and five All-NBA teams. He won the scoring title in 2024 and was voted as Rookie of the Year in 2019.
Over seven seasons in the NBA, Doncic is sitting with career stats of 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game on 46.8% shooting. His scoring is matched only by his elite play-making ability, which helps elevate the teammates around him.
Born in Slovenia, Doncic has secured his place among the greatest international stars in NBA history, but he doesn’t quite stack up to the most iconic legends (at least, not yet). As it stands, Hakeem Olajuwon probably has the strongest case with a resume that includes two championships, an MVP, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Of course, there’s also the legendary Dirk Nowitzki. While his game may be more limited than Luka’s, his status as an NBA champion, MVP, and 14x All-Star makes it hard to put Luka above him right now. The same could be said for Steve Nash, who is a 2x MVP and 8x All-Star.
Even when compared to some of today’s international stars, Luka can’t quite live up to their achievements. In the case of Nikola Jokic, it’s three MVPs and an NBA championship. For Giannis, it’s two MVPs and a championship.
Without any MVPs or a championship to call his own, Luka’s resume sorely lags behind compared to his international peers. As effective as Luka’s game is, his legacy will be carved by what he’s able to do in April, May, and June, or anything he does in the regular season.
The good news is, Doncic will have a chance to make a title run this season in his first full campaign with the Lakers. After getting into the best shape of his life and being more motivated than he’s ever been, Luka is ready to take the Lakers all the way, and he’ll have plenty of help with LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton at his side.
At just 26 years old, Luka Doncic has plenty of time to close the gap between himself and the international greats who came before him. His production already rivals some of the best players the league has ever seen, but as Paul George points out, it’s his maturity and competitive edge that set him apart. If Luka can finally pair his gaudy numbers with championships, there’s little doubt he’ll one day stand at the top of the international hierarchy.
