Ranking the NBA 's best players is a been-there, done-that, unintentionally-angered-everyone-already mental workout...
Luka Doncic Made History, Proved Mavericks Are Contenders in Second Season
Aug 30, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic celebrates after making a game-winning 3-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during overtime of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Mavericks won 135-133 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Following the Dallas Mavericks' 111-97 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, in which he put up 38 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, Luka Doncic's epic sophomore campaign is officially over.
We've never witnessed anything like it.
During the regular season, he put up an absurd 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. And for those echoing the common "his numbers are just up because of the pace" refrain, here's the list of every player in league history who has matched his per-possession averages from 2019-20:
Yes, Westbrook's MVP campaign, when he was 28, is the only entry. Right now, Luka is just 21 years old. And there are easily identifiable areas of improvement for his game.
For one, his 31.6 three-point percentage was well shy of the league average (35.8). And after shooting a slightly below-average 75.8 percent from the line in the regular season, he dropped to 65.6 percent against the Clippers.
His defense can certainly improve, too, but this all feels nitpicky at the moment. Luka is already putting up all-time-great numbers as the leader of an NBA all-time-great offense.
And when the pressure and intensity of the playoffs ratcheted up, the only thing that seemed to suffer was his free-throw shooting.
After another massive performance in Game 6, Luka finished the series with averages of 31.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists.
The climax came in Game 4, though. Less than 48 hours after suffering a sprained ankle in Game 3, Doncic drilled a game-winning, buzzer-beating three to cap off a 43-point, 17-rebound, 13-assist performance that rivals Michael Jordan's 63-point breakout in his second postseason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVzyIP731PY
And all this came against the team that may be best tailored to stop him.
The Clippers roster boasts Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Marcus Morris Sr. The former two have both made multiple All-Defensive teams, and Morris seemed intent on physically punishing Luka throughout the series, all the way through a Game 6 ejection that followed his double knife edge chops to the head and neck.
They all had their chances against the rising superstar, and he still averaged a 23.4 game score over his first six playoff games and had moments like this peppered throughout the series:
Regardless of who was on him, Doncic seemed cool and collected on every possession. His vision was almost always unbothered thanks to his 6'7" frame. His finishing was about as effective as it was in the regular season because he refused to be sped up by L.A.'s perimeter defenders.
Whenever Doncic turns the corner on a pick-and-roll or in isolation, he's in control. He has an innate sense of when to slow down and when to explode. He knows when, and to what direction, his defenders are leaning or cheating. And he almost always exploits the slightest mistake, whether with the pass, his stepback or a drive.
"He's a great player," Kawhi said after the game. "... battled every minute he was out there on the floor, didn't back down. Led his team every game, and he did a hell of a job out there."
Ready for a little more historical context?
Michael Jordan, Nikola Jokic, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Kevin Johnson, David Robinson and LeBron James are the only players since 1983-84 (as far back as complete box scores go) to average a higher game score over their first six postseason contests. As was the case with our last historical comparison, the average age of the rest of the list is older than Luka is now.
To call the future bright for him and the Mavericks would be a gross understatement.
Natural development for the superstar and his No. 2, Kristaps Porzingis, could mean legit contention before long. But Dallas could also speed the process up in a couple of ways.
Of course, trades are an omnipresent option in today's NBA. The Mavs have a handful of movable salary-matching deals for 2020-21 that could add up to the money necessary to get a disgruntled star.
Long-term assets may be harder to come by given the picks they surrendered to the New York Knicks to get Porzingis, but it's difficult to rule anything out in today's transaction-heavy league.
If the team isn't interested in the three-star model, it could continue to build with smaller moves that supplement Doncic and KP.
With Tim Hardaway Jr., Seth Curry and Porzingis, they already have a lot of shooting deployed around Luka's drives, but a bigger Curry-level spacer would go a long way. (I know, much easier said than done.)
Consider the 2019-20 Washington Wizards, who scored 121.7 points per 100 possessions when Bradley Beal played with Davis Bertans and 106.2 points per 100 possessions when Beal played without Bertans. You can find similar impacts for players like Joe Harris on the Brooklyn Nets or JJ Redick before he left the Philadelphia 76ers.
If Dallas feels content on that front, especially if it's counting on improvement from Luka's outside shot, more perimeter defenders could be the ticket to the next tier.
Maxi Kleber is probably one of the league's more underrated players, but that doesn't make him a great option for a superstar like Kawhi. Kleber defended him for more possessions than any other Maverick, and the Clippers posted a blistering 158.7 offensive rating on those possessions.
More positionless defenders to spare Luka from those matchups wouldn't hurt.
Regardless of how it chooses to move forward, Dallas already has the most important aspect of team-building taken care of: It has a superstar.
Few organizations are spoiled quite like this one. After two decades with legendary power forward Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas landed Doncic just one season before the future Hall of Famer's retirement.
The Mavs went from one all-time top-15-20 player to one who has the potential to rise even higher.
"I expect that he'll come back next year even better with something new in his game," Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle said. "The same way that [Larry] Bird and Magic [Johnson] and Jordan, all those great players did every summer."
LeBron is the only player since 1973-74 who totaled more wins over replacement player than Luka through his age-20 season, and the King played 26 more games and averaged 8.1 more minutes per contest than Doncic did through his own age-20 campaign.
It'd be absurd to confidently predict he'll reach the same level. But after what we've seen, we might not be able to rule it out, either.
Luka Doncic Rips Marcus Morris for 'Terrible Foul' That Led to Game 6 Ejection
Aug 30, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers' Marcus Morris Sr. during the first half of an NBA first round playoff game Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The tension between Marcus Morris Sr. and Luka Doncic was a storyline throughout the first-round series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.
Doncic was not pleased it was under the spotlight again in Sunday's Game 6 when Morris was ejected in the first quarter after being issued a flagrant-2 for a hard foul on the Mavericks star above the shoulders.
"Terrible foul," Doncic told reporters after his team's 111-97 loss. "Two games in a row he did something like that. I really hoped the first one wasn't on purpose but looking back at the foul this game, you know what I think. I don't want to deal with that kind of player."
Mavericks’ Luka Doncic on Clippers’ Marcus Morris ejection: “Terrible foul. Two games in a row he did something like that. I really hoped the first one wasn’t on purpose but looking back at the foul this game, you know what I think. I don’t want to deal with that kind of player.” pic.twitter.com/em8UgPGjlB
The tension started in Game 1 when Morris grabbed and jawed at Doncic while the Mavericks were winning and seemingly on the brink of taking control of the early part of the series as underdogs.
Kristaps Porzingis came over to protect his teammate and was ejected following a second technical foul. The Clippers came back to win the game without the big man on the floor.
It didn't stop there as Morris jogged toward Doncic and stepped on the back of his left foot in Game 5. That Doncic was playing with a sprained ankle led to questions about whether it was on purpose, and his comments following Sunday's contest suggested he believed it was intentional.
Morris said otherwise when hetweetedthe following: "I play this game with a level of respect for myself and other players. To think I would try to injure somebody is crazy to me. 10 years going against the best. I stand on morals and hard work. I compete and leave it out there every game."
Morris' actions didn't stop Doncic from dominating throughout the series with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to cap a 43-point triple-double in Game 4 and impressive play against a formidable opponent even while Porzingis was sidelined with injury.
Doncic even became the first player to average 30 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in his first postseason:
It ultimately wasn't enough against Kawhi Leonard as the reigning NBA Finals MVP took over in the fourth quarter Sunday on his way to 33 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
Kawhi Leonard Says Luka Doncic Did a 'Hell of a Job' in Mavs vs. Clippers Series
Aug 30, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (2) fouls Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of an NBA first round playoff game Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
It's not very often a player on a team that loses in the first round of the playoffs in six games is the biggest storyline of the series, but the argument can be made that was the case for Luka Doncic as his Dallas Mavericks fell to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard gave the 21-year-old his props after the Clippers won Sunday's Game 6 111-97.
"He's a great player," Leonard said in his postgame interview. He "battled every minute he was out there on the floor, didn't back down. Led his team every game and he did a hell of a job out there."
“He’s a great player … battled every minute he was out there on the floor, didn’t back down. Led his team every game and he did a hell of a job out there.”
Even without Patrick Beverley, the Clippers have a number of impressive defenders who focused on stopping Doncic. Even more of that focus was on him since Kristaps Porzingis played in just three of the games, one of which he was ejected from following a second technical foul.
Yet Doncic proceeded to become the first player to average 30 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in his first postseason:
He was excellent again in Sunday's final game, posting 38 points, nine rebounds and nine assists and taking over for a stretch in the third quarter to lead the Mavericks back to within striking distance after they fell behind by more than 20.
It was more of the same for the All-Star guard who finished with a 43-point triple-double in Game 4, including a buzzer-beater three-pointer to even the series at two games apiece, and consistently beat the Clippers with his floaters, step-backs and drives into the lane.
L.A. simply had more talent on its side, largely thanks to the presence of Leonard.
After the Mavericks pulled to within six points, Leonard took over in the fourth quarter with a mix of mid-range shots and powerful drives to the rim. He was unstoppable and ended any comeback hopes for Dallas on his way to 33 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
He led the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in franchise history last season and could do the same for the Clippers if Sunday's showing was any indication. His team also doesn't have to worry about Doncic anymore after he led the way in the latest effort.
Kawhi Leonard Drops 33 as Clippers Eliminate Luka Doncic, Mavs from Playoffs
Aug 30, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (2) fouls Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of an NBA first round playoff game Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Los Angeles Clippers are going to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.
L.A. finished its first-round series victory over the Dallas Mavericks with a 111-97 win in Sunday's Game 6 at Walt Disney World Resort. Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers in the latest effort and will now look to lead the team past the second round for the first time in franchise history.
As for the Mavericks, they were fighting an uphill battle without the injured Kristaps Porzingis and fell short despite another impressive performance from Luka Doncic.
Leonard and Paul George are two of the best two-way players of their generation, and it was fitting they seized control of Game 6 and finally dispatched the Mavericks by setting the tone on the defensive end.
After a slow start, the Clippers held the Mavericks to 17 points in the second quarter and 23 points in the third quarter as they took the lead. The showing was all the more impressive considering Dallas led the league in offensive rating during the regular season, per NBA.com.
The Clippers swarmed to outside shooters and contested everything, holding the opposition to 11-of-37 (29.7 percent) shooting from three-point range. In doing so, they ensured the supporting cast around Doncic would not beat them.
They also made Doncic work for his looks by pressuring his ball-handling and creating five turnovers even as he put up excellent numbers elsewhere and helped Dallas remain within striking distance.
Outside of the teamwide defensive effort, Leonard stuffed the stat sheet by battling for boards, deflecting passes as he racked up steals, facilitating when doubles came his way and powering his way to the rim, sometimes through those doubles.
When the game was somewhat in doubt, he took over in the fourth quarter with an array of mid-range shots and unstoppable drives.
It was another reminder of how individually dominant he can be, and the team's ceiling only figures to be higher when Patrick Beverley returns to anchor the defense alongside him.
Luka's Impressive Series Comes to an End After Another Marcus Morris Sr. Confrontation
It didn't take long for another incident involving Marcus Morris Sr. and Doncic.
Morris was assessed a flagrant-2 and ejected in the first quarter for a hard foul above the shoulders. Teammates had to hold Doncic back, and the frustration with his opponent was apparent.
Marcus Morris was given a flagrant 2 and was ejected for this foul on Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/Cr7iTOegJe
It wasn't exactly surprising either, as Morris grabbed and jawed at Doncic during Game 1, prompting Porzingis to come over to protect his teammate. Porzingis was given a technical foul and ejected since it was his second of the game, and the Clippers came back to win.
What's more, Morris jogged toward Doncic in Game 5 and stepped on the back of his left foot, knocking off his shoe.
There were questions about whether it was intentional, especially since Doncic was playing with a sprained ankle, but Morris tweeted the following: "I play this game with a level of respect for myself and other players. To think I would try to injure somebody is crazy to me. 10 years going against the best. I stand on morals and hard work. I compete and leave it out there every game."
Despite yet another confrontation between the two right out of the gates Sunday, Doncic played well again in a series that further cemented his stardom at just 21 years old.
Doncic never appeared overwhelmed by the moment in his first playoff series even going up against a team loaded with elite defenders. He mixed in floaters, step-back threes, a willingness to battle on the boards, head-turning vision and the ability to play through contact and exploit angles on his way to the rim all while dealing with an ankle injury and the absence of Porzingis.
The buzzer-beater three to cap off a 43-point triple-double in Game 4 was the highlight, but Doncic continued to prove he will be a force in the Western Conference for years to come with another notable performance.
What's Next?
The Clippers will face the winner of the series between the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets in the second round, while the Mavericks turn their attention toward the offseason and putting additional pieces around Doncic.
Clippers' Marcus Morris Ejected vs. Mavericks After Flagrant Foul on Luka Doncic
Aug 30, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers' Marcus Morris Sr. during the first half of an NBA first round playoff game Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris was ejected Sunday after picking up a flagrant-2 foul on Luka Doncic:
Marcus Morris was given a flagrant 2 and was ejected for this foul on Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/Cr7iTOegJe
The incident came in the first quarter of the Game 6 matchup between the Clippers and Dallas Mavericks, with Los Angeles leading the first-round series 3-2.
After the game, Morris said he considered the play to be a "hard foul":
In addition to the hard foul Sunday, Morris had also stepped on Doncic's injured ankle in Game 5, although he denied(note: contains language NSFW) after the game that he tried to hurt the All-Star.
Both players discussed the previous incident after the Clippers' Game 5 win:
Marcus Morris says he didn’t intentionally step on Luka’s injured ankle in Game 5 pic.twitter.com/M50hls08Vc
Clippers coach Doc Rivers defended his player Sunday during an interview with ESPN after the first quarter.
"He got ejected because he's Marcus to be honest," Rivers said, via Mirjam Swanson of the Southern California News Group. "He made a play on the ball and his hand followed through. But we can't worry about that, we have to play better."
Morris certainly has a reputation for questionable plays, and his work as an instigator has already helped the Clippers this series. The forward got into a scuffle with Kristaps Porzingis in Game 1, leading to an ejection for the Mavericks star.
With Porzingis out the rest of the series with a meniscus tear, Dallas must rely heavily on Doncic, who entered Game 6 averaging 29.6 points, 10 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game in the playoffs. Taking the second-year player out of the game—either by injury or ejection following a retaliation—could almost clinch a win for the Clippers.
Whether this was Morris' intent or not, he will be unavailable the rest of the game.
It removes a player who has started all six playoff games for the Clippers and averaged 13.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game through the first five appearances.
The 2020 NBA playoffs have yet to disappoint, with a mix of familiar faces and rising superstars taking over games...
Nets' Kevin Durant Says Luka Doncic Is 'Built to Be a Star, For Sure'
Aug 26, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, left, hits a winning three-point basket against Los Angeles Clippers' Reggie Jackson (1) during overtime of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
Luka Doncic has continued to impress during his NBA postseason debut, and he has gotten the attention of Kevin Durant.
"I think he's built to be a star, for sure," Durant said of the Dallas Mavericks guard on The Boardroom: Out of Office. "I think he understands who he is, how he wants to play, and what the future holds for him."
Doncic followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign with an even better season in 2019-20, averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. He has especially stood out in the playoffs, including his Game 4 effort against the Los Angeles Clippers when he totaled 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists as well as the buzzer-beating three in overtime:
Durant praised the 21-year-old's composure in that moment.
"As a talent in the NBA, he transcends a lot of things. Because at that age, to be that smart and to be that poised, it's just rare."
Durant had a similar start to his career, immediately becoming a go-to option as a rookie with the Seattle SuperSonics and winning Rookie of the Year. He didn't reach the playoffs until his third season, the same year in which he won his first of four scoring titles. He has since developed into one of the biggest stars in the sport, winning one MVP and two Finals MVPs.
The 10-time All-Star believes Doncic can follow a similar path, not just because of his talent on the court but also his mentality.
After holding his own against Kawhi Leonard throughout this first-round series, Doncic is proving he has a bright future ahead of him.
NBA Playoffs 2020: Updated Championship Odds, Bracket Picture and Predictions
Aug 25, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, center, celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning 3-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during overtime of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Mavericks won 135-133 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
The 2020 NBA playoffs are barely a week old, and already three teams have been sent packing.
After the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics completed their respective sweeps of the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, the Miami Heat finished their 4-0 knockout of the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
The Utah Jazz have a chance to be the next conference semifinalists, as they take a 3-1 lead into Tuesday's tilt with the Denver Nuggets. The only other matchup on the docket will break the 2-2 tie between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
Will the Jazz punch their second-round ticket, or can the Nuggets live to fight another day? Will Luka Doncic power the Mavericks to a second straight win, or can Paul George awaken in time to help the Clippers right the ship?
Find those answers, the latest championship odds from Caesars Palace and an updated playoff bracket below.
NBA Championship Odds
Los Angeles Lakers: +275
Milwaukee Bucks: +300
Los Angeles Clippers: +325
Toronto Raptors: +750
Boston Celtics: +800
Houston Rockets: +1300
Miami Heat: +1800
Dallas Mavericks: +2200
Utah Jazz: +2500
Oklahoma City Thunder: +5000
Denver Nuggets: +12500
Portland Trail Blazers: +50000
Orlando Magic: +100000
NBA Playoff Bracket
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks lead No. 8 Orlando Magic 3-1
No. 3 Boston Celtics eliminated No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers 4-0
No. 2 Toronto Raptors eliminated No. 7 Brooklyn Nets 4-0
Western Conference
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers lead No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers 3-1
No. 4 Houston Rockets tied with No. 5 Oklahoma City Thunder 2-2
No. 6 Utah Jazz lead No. 3 Denver Nuggets 3-1
No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers tied with No. 7 Denver Nuggets 2-2
Tuesday NBA Playoff Schedule and Predictions
Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets: 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT
This series seemed like a coin flip on paper, quite possibly the most competitive of the opening round. There are two reasons that hasn't come to fruition, as Utah not only has a 3-1 lead, it also has the round's second-best advantage in cumulative scoring (502-454, or plus-48).
The first is that the Nuggets are shorthanded. Will Barton is out of the bubble getting treatment on his injured knee. Gary Harris hasn't suited up in Orlando due to a hip injury.
Despite having a superstar in Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are a whole-is-greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts type of team. Denver isn't built to withstand the losses of two starters—is anyone?—and its defense has been especially vulnerable. For all the offensive flashes Michael Porter Jr. has shown, his defense almost renders him unplayable. His matchups are shooting 57.5 percent in this series.
That gets to the other part of this equation: The Jazz are playing out of their minds on offense.
Donovan Mitchell might be in the middle of a superstar leap (39.5 points per game on 56.3/51.4/95.5 shooting). Rudy Gobert can't miss (75.0 field-goal percentage). Neither can Mike Conley (65.4 percent from the field, 68.8 from three). Even Jordan Clarkson, who can be a quantity-over-quality contributor at times, is splashing half of his 15 shots per night.
"Clearly said, this team has lifted itself to a different level since the playoffs started," Gordon Monson wrote for the Salt Lake Tribune. "Conley. Clarkson. Joe Ingles. And the rest. There had been glimpses of this kind of play during the regular season, including extended win streaks at various junctures, but the confidence with which they are competing now is surprising."
The Jazz, winners of three straight, have the Nuggets on the ropes and the power-punchers needed to throw the knockout blow. Utah won't mess around on Tuesday.
Prediction: Utah Jazz 122, Denver Nuggets 114
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers: 9 p.m. ET on TNT
With all due respect to the Rockets and Thunder, this is the best series of the first round by a wide margin.
The back-and-forth between Doncic and Kawhi Leonard has been basketball brilliance at its best. Doncic's last outing was a cornucopia of statistical marvels, as he punctuated a 43-point, 17-rebound, 13-assist triple-double by burying a buzzer-beater on a bad ankle.
"Look, we know this kid has got a flair for the dramatic," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "He's a performer as well as a great player. He's a guy that lives for these moments and is completely fearless."
The same could be said of Leonard, who heroically steered the Toronto Raptors to last year's title and is doing everything he can to do the same for the Clippers. He's averaging 33.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting (92.5 percent from the line), plus 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 41.1 minutes.
The stars are essentially canceling each other out, and so are the supporting cast. Four games into the series, there's no separation between the squads. All told, the Clippers lead this series by a single point: 495-494.
Assuming Doncic and Leonard maintain their levels of play, this could come down to the co-stars: Kristaps Porzingis and Paul George. The former is battling knee soreness that kept him out of Game 4. The latter is frantically searching for his shooting stroke amid a frigid three-game stretch (11.3 points on 21.3 percent shooting).
Given that Porzingis has a history of knee ailments, and George has a history of shot-making, the safe money is probably on the Clippers to prevail in Game 5 and take control of this series. Having said that, Doncic is a miracle-worker, so it hardly feels safe (or smart) picking against him.
