Renowned sports media personality Colin Cowherd released a new episode of his long-running podcast. With ‘self-proclaimed basketball junkie’ Jason Timpf joining in as co-host, the duo discussed the ongoing NBA season, with special emphasis being laid on some specific scoring players. Cowherd contemplated whether, in his 50+ years’ experience of being a spectator, he had ever come across a basketball player who he immediately considered to be amongst the top five scorers by the time his first year concluded, except for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.
He proceeded to place the point guard on an even higher standing than Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James when it comes to scoring ability. Despite describing the player as “puffy”, the 60-year-old couldn’t help but be left impressed at Doncic’s agility. “Is he maybe the greatest scorer, the most unstoppable scorer? He gets any shot he wants every time down the floor,” Cowherd exclaimed.
“He is just an automatic bucket, always gets his shot”. Further, Jason Timpf agreed with his co-host’s praise of Luka. Timpf proceeded to state that while Cowherd may think of the Mavericks star as “puffy”, he thinks that the size only adds an advantage to the player’s already impressive on-court skills.
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“When you try to ball pressure big players, that plays right into their advantage, like if you get physical with me and I have a size advantage on you, I can pivot, use angles to go right around you,” said Timpf. “A lot of the times, if you ball pressure Luka, he’s just going right around you and getting to the basket”.
With an average score of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists to his name, Luka Doncic has already surpassed Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.4 ppg) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 ppg). He’s become the highest-average scorer this season. LeBron James, regarded as one of the greatest modern-day players of basketball, is currently averaging 25.7.
Since the All-Star break, the Mavericks have gone 19-7. They have attained a 50-win record for just the first time since the 2014-15 season. Doncic’s continuing rise and his significant improvement since his last few seasons have definitely put the player in the MVP contention, with only Kyrie Irving supposedly standing as his top contender.
Former Detroit Pistons President places Luka Doncic higher than Michael Jordan and LeBron James
Surprisingly, Colin Cowherd was not the only individual who, in the past recent days, chose to highlight a similar opinion to the above-mentioned one about Luka Doncic. It was only a few hours ago when Stan Van Gundy echoed the same viewpoint during an interview on ‘The Dan LeBatard Show’. “I just don’t think that there is anything the guy can’t do offensively,” said Van Gundy.
“He shoots the ball from deep…He’s become a more consistent shooter from range. His range is incredible, and he’s been very efficient shooting the ball.”
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Stan van Gundy: "I think the best offensive player now that I've ever seen is Luka Dončić!”
A huge case for Luka’s MVP and massive praise by a legendary coach. pic.twitter.com/rSn8A91juQ
— SLO HOOPS FAN 🇸🇮 (@SloHoopsFan) April 11, 2024
Even before Van Gundy provided his explanation, the show’s co-host Jon Weiner provided a retort by asking “Have you seen MJ?”, even though the former coach had been a part of the NBA for over four decades, kicking things off back in 1985. Despite this, Van Gundy’s opinion was not something that was going to change.
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“Jordan certainly wasn’t a bad passer, but he was not Luka Doncic as a passer, and he did not have Luka’s size and strength” Van Gundy continued. “Look, I’m not trying to demean Michael Jordan in any way or LeBron James for that matter, but Luka Doncic to me is at a different level offensively”.
What are your thoughts on Luka Doncic’s scoring prowess? Let us know in the comments down below.