Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 8. Luka Doncic
I’ll try not to overstate things: Luka Doncic dragged a flaming dumpster of a roster to the No. 5 seed in the West and a seven-game series with the Clippers, who — prior to Kawhi’s injury — were the clear team to beat in the West, if not the playoffs as a whole. Doncic is a one-man show unlike any other in basketball. His production despite being the only consistently credible offensive player on Dallas’ roster deserves every ounce of acclaim.
Sooner than later, Doncic will win his MVP award. He’s that good, and he’s so incredibly valuable to Dallas specifically that it will get harder and harder to deny him. The Mavs’ No. 2 is Kristaps Porzingis, who absolutely no-showed in the playoffs. Tim Hardaway Jr. is No. 3, then it’s… Dorian Finney-Smith?
Doncic has experienced his own bouts with fatigue, and he’s not really a great defender, but the degree to which he can carry a team offensively is comical. He’s point guard. He can post up. He can hit step-back 3s. He can get to the rim against just about anyone. In the absence of elite athleticism, Doncic tortures defenses with unmatched craft. He changes speeds like a car with sensitive breaks, leaving even the quickest, most agile opponents on his back.
In the Mavs’ first round exit, Doncic averaged 35.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 10.3 assists on .490/.408/.529 shooting splits. If anyone outplayed Embiid in the first round, it was Doncic. He wasn’t far behind in the regular season, posting averages of 27.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.6 assists.