Former NBA player on Luka Doncic vs Jayson Tatum hype in NBA: “Gloves are kind of starting to come off”
Evan Turner joined Andre Igoudala on the "Point Forward" podcast to speak about the dynamic that is unfolding between Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum. Both are playing some of the best basketball ever seen from them.
Tatum is leading the NBA's Kia MVP Ladder, but Doncic is hot on his tail. With their rising competition, Turner weighed in on how he believes the players will grow in the league. Turner played for five different squads across his decade-long career (2010-2020), seeing some of the greats build up and break down.
With Tatum and Doncic, Evan believes that the pair is going to have an elite showing every time they see each other. There will be a ferocious battle between the greats due primarily to their competitive nature. Both have carried their squads in desperate moments during big games. And this season they are both swinging for the championship.
“Those two dudes are so cold … and now it’s getting to the point where I think they’re starting to become aware of each other," Turner said. "Gloves are starting to come off, in my opinion.”
As both players are in the one and two spots for the MVP race, they are definitely more aware of one another now. Players often voice how they do not aim to play for an MVP trophy — they just play the best they can and if that comes, it comes. But when your name is being spoken of in relation to someone else’s this much, competition does kick in.
Tatum and Doncic are going to want to prove what separates them as great players, bringing arguably new craftiness and confidence into their play.
“You know me, I’m the biggest Luka Doncic fan," Turner said. "Like, the biggest … but, man, what Tatum’s doing right now dog, is at a different level — defensively, offensively.”
Not only have the two been deploying some of the league's best basketball, they are arguably two of the most competitive players as well. This conversation is going to be yet another driving force for them to play their best against one another.
“We’re gonna see a battle every single time," Turner said. "I’m talking ... like both kids are going to get 45 and then some.”
The last time Dallas and Boston played against each other was November 23, with the Celtics winning 125-112. Doncic finished with 42 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, while Tatum had 37 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
Luka Doncic vs. Jayson Tatum this season
Doncic is averaging 33.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 8.7 assist per game while shooting 49.6%, including 33.8% from 3-point range. Tatum is averaging 30.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 4.1 apg while shooting 47.0%, including 36.2% from 3-point range.
So, in basic game averages, Doncic seems to have the upper hand over Tatum. Luka is averaging more and shooting more accurately.
However, Luka’s greater stats are not translating into victories for the Mavericks (14-14).
The Celtics (22-7) are a greater unit as a whole than Dallas is. Luka doesn’t have much help, when Tatum has arguably one of the best Big Three structures in the league built around him.
As a result, the Boston Celtics are first in the Eastern Conference and have the best record in the league. The Mavericks are ninth in the Western Conference.
Tatum’s ability to keep his numbers translating into wins for his squad is currently what separates the two.
Nobody can argue how much of a stone cold killer Doncic is on the floor, as his stats back up. Averaging 33 points while shooting almost 50% is insane.
Yet, until Doncic's squad starts seeing some more wins, Tatum’s name may stick above Luka’s for the time being.