Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has inspired comparisons to legends such as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in less than 2 seasons of his NBA career.
Among the active superstars, Doncic’s game could be the most similar to that of perennial MVP candidate James Harden, who acknowledged Saturday night that he considers such comparisons legitimate.
“There are some similarities,” Harden said after the Mavs ’115-98 road victory secured the Brooklyn Nets’ eight-game streak. “He never lets anyone speed him up and get what he wants. That’s weird for a young guy. I think he’s 21. And to be able to dictate the game and control the game like him, we all know he has a very, very bright future.
“The Mavs got a special one.”
Harden’s comments weren’t necessarily a reaction to Saturday night’s game, in which he was the only All-Star available for the Nets with Kevin Durant (hamstring) and Kyrie Irving (injury maintenance) offside.
“Anyone who is in the lineup and adapts has to be better, and that starts for me,” said Harden, who had 29 points and six assists but was only four points behind at the break.
Doncic added 27 points on 11 of 21 shots, six rebounds and seven assists in the win, an impressive but routine performance for a player who averages 28.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 9.0 attendances per match.
However, Doncic was flattered when he heard about Harden’s praises.
“It’s something that can’t even be described if someone like that says something about you,” said Doncic, who has previously spoken about Harden’s study, specifically about his back jumper and his ability to do missing. “He’s amazing. I really appreciate him. I see him. He’s an amazing player and really special.”
It was Dallas ’seventh win in the last nine games, when the 16-16 Mavs climbed back to .500.
One of the main factors in the resurgence of the Mavs has been that several players have recovered from COVID-19 and regained their pace. Headlines Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Richardson and Dwight Powell reserve lost prolonged stretches due to the coronavirus, and safety strut Jalen Brunson also lost several games due to health and safety protocols though having never been positive.
The other big development during the Dallas shift has been perhaps the best stretch of Doncic’s spectacular NBA youth career.
Doncic, who turns 22 on Sunday, has averaged 31.6 points in the last nine games, shooting 51.6% from the ground and 46.1% from 3 points. He has had the three most-scored regular season performances of his career (46, 44 and 42 points) during the period and has also averaged 7.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists, leading the Mavs in the same way Harden went. make the Houston Rockets for eight years before being traded to Brooklyn this season.
“Harden has been in a situation the last few years where the offense has really revolved around him,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. “With our team, it does it around Luka in a similar way, but our style is a little different than Houston and Brooklyn. They’re both generational-type players. There’s no question about that.”