Gilbert Arenas backs 5x NBA All-Star for MVP glory in 2024-25: "He's going to do something that hasn't been done in a few years"
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas expects Luka Doncic to be the favorite to win the MVP in the 2024-25 season. Arenas believes the Dallas Mavericks superstar will "do something that hasn't been done" since the 2020-21 campaign.
Speaking on a recent episode of the "Gil's Arena" podcast, the crew of Arenas, Josiah Johnson, Brandon Jennings and Kenyon Martin discussed the Mavs' offseason. Doncic and the Mavs are coming off an NBA Finals appearance wherein they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games. A few weeks after their loss, the team signed Klay Thompson — who will likely benefit from playins taxes Doncic.
Arenas pointed out how some of Doncic's triple-doubles needed much work to accomplish, but that would change with Thompson's arrival. He believed that it would make things easier for the Slovenian and would lead to him being the MVP favorite.
"I don't want to put this type of pressure on him. I'd be surprised if he don't average a triple-double. Because if you average that many assists with what you had, now you got (Thompson) who's a catch-and-shoot, so some of your assists will come without even any effort this time," Arenas said.
"You should average a triple-double. He will probably be the number one candidate for MVP. He's gonna do something that hasn't been done in a few years."
Doncic won his first scoring title last season and almost averaged a triple-double. He put up 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game, which helped lead the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance since winning the title in 2011.
There have only been two players who averaged a triple-double in a season – Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson. Westbrook did it four times in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, while Roberston was the first to ever do it in 1962.
Dirk Nowitzki's advice to Luka Doncic after NBA Finals loss
Dallas Mavericks legend and Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitzki knows a thing or two about losing in the NBA Finals. Nowitzki and the Mavs lost to the Miami Heat in 2006 before avenging it and winning their first championship in 2011 against the same franchise.
Speaking on the "DLLS Mavs" podcast, Nowitzki shared some advice to Doncic on how to overcome the bitter loss. He wants Doncic to stay healthy and motivated, and just continue to play since he's still just 25 years old.
"Well, just keep doing what he's doing, honestly. Do your game. Play your game. I know it wasn't the ending you were hoping for, but you know what? You're just getting started, you're 25 years old. It's good sometimes to get a little disappointment, to try again, to motivate you and push you to work harder and become an even better player if that's even possible," Nowitzki said. [H/T Yardbarker]