“What is the love affair that everyone has with Luka” – Kendrick Perkins doesn't consider Luka Doncic an MVP after Mavericks drops in rankings
Luka Doncic started his 2022-23 campaign with a bang and is the leading candidate for the 2023 NBA award. NBA champion Kendrick Perkins does not believe the Dallas Mavericks guard should be in the MVP conversation.
The Slovenian has been an absolute delight to watch but his team has struggled. With a comfortable win against the New York Knicks, the Mavericks returned to the .500 mark.
While Doncic has been great, the MVP committee has always considered the team's success in making their decision. Although many, including Shaquille O'Neal, have fought against it, the concept stands.
Perkins has continuously removed Doncic from his top five MVP candidates because of the Mavericks' position in the Western Conference standings. On "NBA Today," he reiterated his stance, this time throwing a question to all the "Doncic for MVP" advocates.
"I know Richard Jefferson is probably somewhere watching this right now. But he has been on my tail for the last couple of days about me not having Luka in my top-five MVP conversation. You go down to Detroit without Cade Cunningham and you lose this game last night.
"See, here is the problem. I'm not hating on Luka. I think he is an unbelievable talent, he's an awesome talent, he's a showbox, he's everything, and more. But when we talk about the MVP conversation, your record can't be 10-11. You can't be sitting at the No. 11 spot in the Western Conference.
After requesting permission from Malika Andrews to take over temporarily as host, he asked:
"What is the love affair that everyone has with Luka? Because we don't keep the same energy when it comes down to guys like Trae Young last year, who averaged 29-9. We wasn't pumping him up to win the MVP.
"What is the love affair that the world has with Luka Doncic? That we just want to put him in the MVP conversation or want him to win the MVP. I'm just trynna figure it out."
Listen, I love Luka’s game. Superstar level TALENT. But MVPs are about winning and 10-11 ain’t cutting it! Carry on… https://t.co/dSkEo9JoWI
Based on the league establishing that team success plays a role in picking an MVP, Perkins' point of view is understandable. Nonetheless, there is ample time for the Mavericks to turn things around.
If Doncic continues to play at this level, and the Mavericks manage a top-four finish in the West, the Slovenian will have a great chance of going home with the award.
You might also like: Charles Barkley implores Luka Doncic to change his game - “He’s got to learn to play without the ball”
How far can Luka Doncic lead the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022-23 campaign?
Last season, Doncic led the Mavericks to the Western Conference finals. It was the franchise's best run since Dirk Nowitzki led them to a championship in 2011.
Making such a deep playoff run this year will be heavily dependent on Doncic. If he is at his best, the Mavericks have a decent chance of making another deep playoff run.
However, it is worth noting that basketball is not a one-man show. The competition in the West has gotten a lot stiffer, and it would be difficult for Doncic to lead the team to several series wins singlehandedly.
Former NBA player Chandler Parsons has called on Doncic's teammates to step up. He believes the team will be lost without the All-Star guard.
Luka Doncic leads the league in scoring, averaging 33.4 points. He also leads the Mavericks in assists (8.6) and rebounds (8.6).