On Christmas Day, Luka Doncic shot a deep three-pointer to become the sixth-youngest player to record 10,000 career points. He entered the Christmas showdown needing only 11 points to reach the milestone, and he wasted no time as he etched his name into NBA history just a little over seven minutes into the game. The 4-time NBA All-Star achieved this rare feat in just 358 games, becoming the seventh-fastest player to do so.
By achieving this impressive milestone before the age of 24, Luka joined the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Tracy McGrady as the only players to do so before turning 25. This incredible feat sparked heated debates, igniting discussions about where Luka stands among these basketball greats.
Where does Luka stand among the basketball greats?
In the latest episode of the Gil’s Arena podcast, the panel dove deep into the swirling narratives enveloping the NBA. Among the red-hot topics of discussion was where Luka stood among the other six players on the list. According to Gilbert Arenas, the Mavericks star ranks fifth on the list, just above Carmelo Anthony. The crew sought to weigh championships, All-Star appearances, MVPs, scoring titles, and other achievements accomplished by these basketball icons at a similar stage in their illustrious careers to reach this conclusion.
By 25, Kobe and LeBron were six-time All-Stars, T-Mac had five All-Stars, and KD had four scoring titles. The only player on the list to have fewer accolades than Luka is Melo, with just two All-Star titles before hitting the 25-year-old mark. However, as they put it, “That’s good. That’s not criticism. I mean that. That’s an illustrious list to be a part of.”
However, former NBA player Rashad McCants points out that Luka is only in his fifth year in the league and already has four All-Star selections. But Arenas counters that James already had two MVPs by this point in his career, while Luka has yet to win that title. So, will this be the year he gets an MVP nod?
Can Luka win his first-ever MVP award?
Luka Doncic is vigorously vying for the coveted MVP title this season, with the current frontrunners being Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. He is averaging an impressive 33.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.4 assists through 31 games. However, in MVP discussions, individual brilliance is just one piece of the puzzle. The team’s achievements weigh heavily in the decision-making process.
With Kyrie Irving sidelined due to a right heel contusion, the Mavs dropped a few games, which pushed them down to the 7th spot in the Western Conference standings. This downturn might potentially dent Luka’s chances at the coveted MVP title. However, now that Irving is back in the lineup, we can expect Dallas to string together a few victories.
