NBA analyst speculates Luka Doncic & Nikola Jokic teaming up: “Him and Luka are buddies, Jokic’s in the house”
One thing that Luka Doncic is in dire need of with the Dallas Mavericks is help, which the team hasn't done a good job in providing. To that end, one analyst explored the possibility of Doncic, who, of course, is friends with other All-Stars, joining Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Acquiring Doncic to one's team is like hitting the lottery. He's just that good. That's what happened when the Mavs acquired the Slovenian star in 2018 in a draft-night deal with the Atlanta Hawks, and it's been a treat watching him play for Dallas. However, the team has struggled to surround him with decent help that could give them a better chance at winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Mavericks insider Tim McMahon brought up the possibility of Luka teaming up with an All-Star. However, the scenario he mentioned doesn't involve the other star joining the Mavs. Rather, the rumored star could recruit Doncic to his own team. The player in the scenario is Jokic, a close friend of the Dallas All-Star.
"Well, the only reason I’m gonna say yes is because I’ve seen Mavericks fans (acting enthusiastically), 'Him and Luka are buddies, Jokic’s in the house,'" MacMahon said. "I would be more concerned about perhaps that thing going the other way."
Mavs insider says he’d be more concerned with Luka Doncic going to Denver over Nikola Jokic coming to Dallas: ahnfiredigital.com/nba/denver-nug…
It remains a possibility, however, that it could come true down the line if the Dallas front office fails to provide Doncic ample help. Player movement is very common this season, and a player like Luka could command a huge impact on the league. His control over his career is also important, which puts the team in a rough situation.
Right now, the Mavs have tried hard to surround Doncic with quality role players. However, they haven't been effective in the three-time All-NBA selection's quest to contend for the title. Dallas (18-16) is currently in seventh place in the Western Conference.
Also read: Luka Doncic on facing LeBron James on Christmas: “It was amazing, especially the primetime in Slovenia"
Is Luka Doncic the second coming of LeBron James?
Comparisons aren't new in the NBA. There are players who have been compared to each other. It doesn't matter if they only look alike, have similar playing styles or are equally talented, players get compared. Luka Doncic isn't a stranger to this kind of situation as he has been compared to many NBA greats.
A player who is often compared to the Mavericks star is LeBron James. They play a similar brand of basketball, wherein they command the entire game and can do everything with ease. They've been compared since the day the 23-year-old was drafted in 2018.
The Slovenian Wonder Boy plays like James. He controls the pace of the game, including the opposing team's pace. Doncic is also an all-around player, getting triple-doubles effortlessly. Defensively, however, he isn't a ball-stopper like the player he's often compared to.
While Doncic displays a similar style of basketball to James, his overall game is unique in itself.
Also read: Luka Doncic trade: Did the Atlanta Hawks fumble the bag by opting for Trae Young?