The rise of Luka Doncic has been nothing short of exceptional and has taken the league by surprise. At such a young age, he has already established himself as one of the best players in the league, drawing comparisons to legends like Dirk Nowitzki.
However, what has truly stunned fans and analysts alike is the astonishing record he recently matched, despite playing a staggering amount of games less than his idol and fellow Dallas Mavericks legend Nowitzki. Now, as Dončić follows in Nowitzki’s footsteps, fans have already termed his rise and matching-record court shenanigans.
Luka Doncic matches Drik Nowitzki’s record
Luka Doncic continues to etch his name in Dallas Mavericks history books, achieving another milestone in his young career as his stellar performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves saw him match Dirk Nowitzki’s record for the most 35-point games in Mavericks history despite playing 1,169 games less.
With his 39-point outing, Doncic notched his 78th regular-season game with 35 or more points, tying the legendary Nowitzki. The Slovenian sensation has shown incredible scoring prowess, also claiming the most regular-season games with 40, 45, or 50 points. However, he still has a considerable gap to close in order to surpass Nowitzki’s record of 30-point games.
It’s not just his scoring prowess that has impressed fans and analysts alike. Doncic has consistently displayed all-around brilliance, averaging an impressive 32.3 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.1 rebounds this season while leading the Mavericks to a solid 15-8 record.
Despite the comparisons and accolades, Doncic remains humble about his abilities. When asked about potentially surpassing Nowitzki’s record for most years played with one franchise, Doncic expressed his uncertainty, saying, “I don’t know about 21 years. That’s a long time to play basketball. I’d rather go back to my farm in Slovenia,” emphasizing his desire to return to his farm in Slovenia someday.
Nevertheless, with his outstanding performances and ongoing pursuit of NBA greatness, Doncic remains a strong contender for future MVP awards and a spot on the All-NBA First Team. But even the biggest stars have the biggest critics, and now Luka seems to be the new victim.
NBA fans claims comparing Luka to Drik is disrespectful
The Dallas Mavericks have been on an impressive winning streak lately, and a major contributing factor has been the exceptional play of Luka Doncic.
Despite the Mavericks’ recent loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic continued to shine, putting up impressive numbers of 39 points, six rebounds, and 13 assists as his performance allowed him to tie Dirk Nowitzki for the most 35+ point games in the Mavericks franchise history.
While Luka Doncic’s stellar performances have become somewhat expected by fans, there is growing criticism from NBA enthusiasts who find the constant comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki disrespectful.
These fans argue that Dirk’s impact on the franchise and his overall contributions were invaluable, and to compare him to Doncic diminishes his legacy. Some fans point out a comment made by one LeBron fan, who even called Dirk a “generational ball hog,” further questioning the credibility of such comparisons.
While criticisms and debates continue, there’s no denying that Doncic’s talents have been remarkable. As he continues to shine on the court, he is etching his name into the history books of the NBA and the Dallas Mavericks. Despite the ongoing discussions, it’s clear that Luka Doncic’s form and abilities remain top-notch, worthy of the admiration he receives.
