NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Dallas Mavericks have a bonafide superstar on their hands with Luka Doncic. After years of watching Dirk Nowitzki drop buckets and lead the Mavericks to one of the greatest title runs in NBA history, the Mavs were looking for that next face of the franchise. Well, Doncic is that and more. But is he doing too much?
Ask that question in NBA circles and fans get angry. On the season, Doncic is averaging 36.1 points, 9.0 assists, and 8.9 rebounds while shooting .514 percent from the floor and playing 36.6 minutes per game. Astonishing numbers but can he keep it up all season and into the playoffs?
If the Mavs can answer yes to this, then there is a problem.
The Mavs as a team are averaging 115.3 points per game. The next closest player to Doncic in scoring on the roster is newcomer Christian Wood at 17.3 but he’s a reserve. Out of the starting unit, only Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie (16.7) are in double digits. Where is the help? Doncic needs others to step up or he will soon find himself in the same house as LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard when it comes to the often frowned upon–“load management.”
The argument can be made that he’s young but Doncic didn’t take much time off this offseason as he played for his National Team over the summer. Another thing to factor in is that since entering the league in 2018, his minutes have increased yearly. If the Mavs are not careful, Luka Doncic could become the next James Harden.
Remember how great Harden was while with the Houston Rockets? He was the lone “it” guy there for a while but he was doing too much. It’s at the point now where Harden is a shell of his former self. Luka is headed there if the Mavs cannot find a solid piece to pair with him.
His stats are great to see as a fan. He’s been on a Russell Westbrook-like run for the past 3 seasons. Westbrook was labeled a stat-filler and for some reason, Doncic has avoided that stigma in NBA circles. As great of a start as Luka is on, the team is still struggling. After 7 games, the Dallas Mavericks are just 4-3 after a close win against the Utah Jazz Tuesday night where he totaled his 7th straight game of 30+ points.
Where Is The Help for Luka Doncic?
Following their remarkable run last season, the Mavericks could not hold on to his running-mate Jalen Brunson as he signed a free agent deal with the New York Knicks. But all was not lost. With the return of Tim Hardaway Jr, his presence was looked upon as a replacement for Brunson. So far, he’s not had the same impact. In fact, Hardaway has not cracked the starting lineup.
The Mavs are 9th in scoring and 7th in defense as far as points are concerned. The Mavericks are ranked 30th in assists and 27th in rebounding. Luka is leading them in most categories. What more can this man do to help his team? This is the same issue players like Harden and Westbrook faced before their bodies and level of play slowed down. What Doncic is also doing now is what forced some players to go to their front office and either demand some help or possibly a trade of their own.
The Dallas Mavericks must be careful here. Where is the offensive production from Dorian Finney-Smith (7.4), Reggie Bullock (6.6), and Maxi Kleber (4.4 rebounds)? It’s a polaroid show out there. Doncic has the ball and the players stand around taking pics. Yes, he does get assists but at what costs?
At this rate, as we saw last year in some playoffs game, Luka will run out of gas. It’s early in the season and he has some energy in his legs but we’re still only 7 games in. What happens when the Mavs hit the midway point and Doncic starts to feel the effects of carrying this team? Hardaway and Dinwiddie are known for missing time in their respective careers due to injuries. And, if they are your next best-scoring options, that’s more of a load that Doncic will have to carry. Hopefully, it doesn’t come down to that.
But a glance through the Western Conference and teams have at least 2-3 solid players that can be counted on to produce. The Phoenix Suns have theirs. The same can be said for the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Hell, even the Los Angeles Lakers have players they can rely on other than James. The Mavs are dependent on one player. And while he’s good, he literally may be just too good to continue at this pace.
