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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 29: Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks yells, “and one,” after making a shot, but not getting call from contact by Paul Millsap (4) of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Dallas’ 106-109 win on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
via Getty
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 29: Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks yells, “and one,” after making a shot, but not getting call from contact by Paul Millsap (4) of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Dallas’ 106-109 win on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Luka Dončić is one of the best young players in the NBA, if not one of the best players outright. The Slovenian basketball player has defied the high expectations set for him, becoming one of the stars in the league. The former Real Madrid player is a former Rookie of the Year, and became an All-Star starter last season.
Dončić has the potential to be one of the best European players in the NBA since fellow Maverick Dirk Nowitzki. And in true Nowitzki fashion, he made a classic one-legged fade shot during the Mavericks pre-season opener. Responding on Twitter, Dončić even went as far as to hilariously call his fade ‘slow’.
Slow 😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/nJYNPOOiM5
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) December 15, 2020
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Dončić entered the league in 2018, as the number three overall pick in the draft. He joined the Dallas Mavericks and immediately became one of the most exciting players in the NBA. He easily became the standout rookie from his draft class. Putting on amazing performances on a nightly basis, Dončić ended up winning the 2018 Rookie of the Year award.
Luka Dončić: The rising superstar
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via Getty
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 29: Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks steals the ball from Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Dallas’ 106-109 win on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
In the 2019-20 NBA season, Dončić became even better. Now paired with fellow European player Kristaps Porzingis, Dončić just took over the NBA. He was practically averaging a triple double every night. Because of his fantastic performances, Dončić became an All-Star for the first time. He was even named a starter for the All-Star game for team LeBron.
Dončić was one of the few shining lights for a somewhat inconsistent Dallas Mavericks team. Thanks to the duo of Dončić and Porzingis, the Mavericks secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference. They played the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. Despite losing the series, Luka Dončić pushed the Clippers to six games, including an incredible game-winning walk-off shot.
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For his excellent season, Dončić was named in the All-NBA first team alongside stars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis and MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. And fans and analysts alike expect him to be even better this year. Dončić is expected to be the front-runner for MVP this year, ahead of Giannis, Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis.
It remains to be seen how Dončić will start the new NBA season. But from his pre-season performance, fans can expect much of the same from him.
