Regarding the uppermost tier of players in the NBA, names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Steph Curry are usually the first to come up.
But if you ask ESPN analyst Paul Pierce (who also happens to be an ex-NBA star), Luka Doncic should be on that list as well. While he may not be basketball’s best overall player, Pierce went so far as to say he was the most “talented.”
“To me, he is the most talented player in the NBA today and the lights are never too bright for him. So I expect big things outta him come playoff time.”
Luka has certainly impressed this season. After winning rookie of the year in 2019, he joined the race for MVP this season, averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game on 46.1% shooting.
But it’s not just his scoring that has raised eyebrows, it’s the way in which he has been scoring.
He has a swagger and confidence on the basketball court like he’s been dominating for years. He can create his own shot, score off the dribble, and has a range the extends from under the rim to way beyond the three-point arc. He’s certainly a special player, but there’s still much that remains to be seen.
Is this performance sustainable? Is he capable of leading the Mavs to a Championship? Can he step up his game defensively?
There are a lot of questions, but at 21-years-old, Luka has plenty of time to answer them.
