Mavericks’ Luka Doncic Masters a New Art That Might Help Him Win the NBA MVP This Season
This season, Luka Doncic is off to an incredible start, but that in and of itself is nothing new. We’re talking about a guy who, over the past three years, has never placed lower than sixth in the MVP voting. Doncic began 2022–23 on a tear after receiving criticism and self-awareness for being slow and out of condition in previous seasons. He is now included on a very small list with an extremely distinguished company.
Luka Doncic and the Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz 103-100 on Wednesday with 33 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds from the Slovenian star. He had scored at least 30 points seven times in a row to begin the season. Since 1962–1963, no player has accomplished the feat before him. He is only the third person to ever accomplish so.
Luka Doncic might win the NBA MVP thanks to his defensive performances
Nevertheless, Doncic’s adequate defensive play might help him win the championship if the season comes to a close, and it becomes necessary to pick apart individual plays. Dallas is better defensively with Doncic on the court than off for the first time ever. Better, albeit only slightly (by a difference of 0.5 points allowed per 100 possessions), but better nonetheless.
There may be something more substantial at play here if you also take into account his greatest career steal and defensive rebound percentages, as well as his lowest foul rate. His two-point efficiency is absurdly high at 63.6%, despite the fact that he has never even reached 58% there. And it accomplishes this while holding 16.5 attempts every game, which is an unbelievable amount.
7-straight games for @luka7doncic with 30+ points.
LIGHT WORK 🤧 pic.twitter.com/aSxjJz0ayb
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 3, 2022
Of course, if Luka Doncic keeps up just a few of his current accomplishments, he’ll likely win his first MVP award while playing defense the whole season with just one shoe on. He has been really amazing.
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