Luka Doncic is one of the most exciting players in the NBA. He has already established himself as one of the best players in the league after making 3 All-Star games in his first 4 NBA seasons. The 2018 Rookie of the Year is also headed towards his third inclusion in the All-NBA team, cementing his status with a resurgent Dallas Mavericks team this year.
Despite many trying to put Doncic in the MVP conversation, avid watchers of his game have started criticizing Doncic for his outbursts on the court, especially towards referees when they don’t make calls in his favor.
During the Dallas Mavericks’ loss to the New York Knicks, Knicks legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier wasn’t happy about Doncic’s play and called the 23-year old a ‘crybaby’.
"One of the biggest crybabies in the league, folks. Always crying and complaining. 13 technical fouls. Look at him now, crying to the ref" – Clyde Frazier on Luka Doncic
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) March 10, 2022
Ouch. While Doncic has let his play speak for himself, his antics with referees have become a problem that everyone on the Mavericks is aware of. Coach Jason Kidd has previously discussed it and Luka has as well. Young players can often be temperamental, but Doncic has now developed a reputation for going to the referees after every drive.
The Knicks blew the Mavericks out this game, with a 5-game winning streak coming to a halt for the Mavs. Doncic picked up his 14th technical this season. This means that Doncic can only get two more technicals before he is suspended by the league for a game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Pv8b7GxaQ
With the race for the 4th seed in the West being razor-thin, the Mavericks cannot afford to lose Doncic. He has averaged 35 points since the trade to send Kristaps Porzingis to Washington and will look to build on that heading into the Playoffs where the Mavericks would like to avoid another first-round exit this season.
