‘Humbled’: Inside Luka Doncic’s’ Unstoppable’ Play For Mavericks

Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, NBA Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The Dallas Mavericks are one of the few teams in the NBA that were likely disappointed that the NBA All-Star break came when it did. They were playing some good basketball, winning two in a row heading into the break and eight out of their last 11 games.

One of the catalysts in the good stretch of play has been Luka Doncic. Doncic started the season off slowly, as people brought attention to his weight, as he didn’t look to be in the best shape. He suffered ankle injuries and spent time away in the league’s health and safety protocols as well.

But, something has clicked recently as Doncic has looked like the MVP-caliber player we have gotten accustomed to seeing. In this recent 8-3 stretch, Doncic has scored at least 30 points seven times, including four instances he broke 40 and one 51-point masterpiece against the LA Clippers.

Doncic has been on fire in the month of February, averaging 36.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 9.4 assists. He is making 46.9 percent of his shot attempts overall and 43 percent of his 3-pointers. The improvement in 3-point shooting is key to his turnaround, as he was struggling mightily from long-range earlier in the season.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Luka Doncic Continues Making History For Dallas Mavericks

In October, December and January, Luka Doncic shot 23.8 percent, 27.5 percent and 28.2 percent. It dragged the Dallas Mavericks offense down, but since he has picked it up, the team has found more success on that end of the court. Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban recently discussed what has helped Doncic turn things around.

“I think he was humbled a little bit,” Cuban said Tuesday during an appearance on 1310 The Ticket in Dallas. “I think he didn’t like being called out for his weight and other things, and it finally clicked that there’s a level of discipline that’s required.

“All athletes at his level go through it at some level, where things are just easy and you’re always used to being the best and you’re always used to getting all the accolades. Then when something doesn’t go according to expected, it makes you reconsider.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Luka Doncic Continues Making History For Dallas Mavericks

Doncic has found a lot of success early in his career. But, he faced some challenges earlier in this season that he hasn’t previously, as he wasn’t performing as well as he had wanted to and was in and out of the lineup.

Sometimes a little adversity is what you need to get things kick-started, and Doncic has responded well to what he has faced this season. Cuban went on to mention that Doncic has some lofty goals and to achieve them, he has learned what he needs to accomplish.

“He knows what he needs to do, and it finally clicked that if he’s going to be the best — and I know he wants to be the best — that there’s certain things he has to control,” Cuban said. “Once he got a handle on those things, it’s just been, Katy bar the door. He’s just been unstoppable.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Luka Doncic Continues Making History For Dallas Mavericks

If Luka Doncic has truly unlocked another level of his game, the rest of the NBA will be on notice. He was already among the best players in the league but has played at an incredibly high level the last few weeks.

If he keeps this up, the Dallas Mavericks are going to be a difficult team to slow down the remainder of the regular season and heading into the playoffs.

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