Currently, Luka Doncic is showing dominance as one of the top offensive players in the NBA, although not everyone recognized his potential in the beginning. Luka Doncic was selected as the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Atlanta Hawks selected him in the draft before promptly exchanging him with the Dallas Mavericks for selections that later turned into Trae Young and Cam Reddish.
Doubts From Fellow Players
In 2018, a few NBA players had doubts about Doncic. Jeff Teague went as far as labeling him as “lazy” and claimed he wasn’t putting in sufficient effort to distinguish himself. James Johnson, a retired Mavericks player, also had doubts. He remembered Goran Dragic saying that Doncic was meant to be the top player, however, Johnson remained unconvinced. Only when Doncic was shifted to point guard did his real talent become apparent with the Mavericks.
The Turning Point
When Doncic was given the responsibility of handling the ball by coach Rick Carlisle, everything took a different turn. Doncic swiftly started accumulating triple-doubles and scoring 30-point games. Johnson remembered feeling astonished, remarking, “your son is a genius,” as Doncic silenced his critics.
Overcoming Stereotypes and Leading the Mavericks
Doncic entered the NBA after being named EuroLeague MVP, guiding Real Madrid to a title at only 19 years of age. However, the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings chose not to select him because they had doubts about his athleticism and defensive skills. The Mavericks recognized the potential in Doncic. Just as they did with Dirk Nowitzki, and placed their trust in him to lead their team.
Luka Doncic still has a lot to achieve to reach Nowitzki’s mark. But his impressive dominance in the 2023-24 season indicates he is heading in the right direction.
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