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Every rookie entering the league wants to win the Rookie of the Year Award, the highest honour given to someone playing their first year in the NBA. Even the greats like Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, and Lebron James entered the NBA with a bang, winning this prestigious award, and leaving an ever-lasting first impression.
The exciting thing is that every year there is intense competition for this award, and the hype has always peaked after every passing season. However, for a rookie, just coming out of the college, it is not easy to adapt to the NBA environment, which is much more intense and arduous than college ball. There have been cases of top draft picks who have entirely flopped in their first ever NBA season even after so much hype was created around them. But some rookies outshine others and adapt to the environment quickly, leaving a permanent mark.
Luka Doncic is one such player of this season's batch. Doncic has produced spectacular performances for the Dallas Mavericks and has left people awestruck by his talent. In this article, I am listing three main reasons why he deserves to win the Rookie of the Year award this year.
3) Best Player on the Dallas Mavericks' squad
Luka Doncic played like a pro this season, and it never seemed like he was playing for the first time in the NBA. The way he defended against the high-quality players in the NBA, indicates his physical as well as mental strength. He adjusted to the NBA style of play faster than any of the rookies in his class, and his indomitable spirit was worth watching game after game.
Not only his skills, but he also impressed everyone with his tactical acumen and leadership qualities. He ran the floor hard and executed exceptional plays for his team. And how can we forget his clutch shots?
Doncic has played for 32.2 minutes per game for the Mavs and was no doubt their best player on the floor all season long. He averaged 21.2 points, six assists, and 7.8 rebounds this season along with 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks. He shot an impressive 42.7% from the field and 32.7% from beyond the arc. These are exceptional stats for a rookie.
Doncic's European Basketball experience has helped him adjusting rapidly into the NBA style of play, which is more strenuous. He was the best player and hopefully, will be the future of the Mavs. He deserves his name to be etched in the NBA history books with the honour of Rookie of the Year.
2) Replica of the great Lebron James or better?
Luka had a historic run this year, and his comparisons to LeBron James were inevitable. Let us statistically compare both of their rookie seasons.
Lebron James averaged 20.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in his rookie season which is less than Luka's 21.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Lebron shot at 41.7% from the field and 29% from beyond the three-point line which also lags behind Luka's 42.7% and 32.7% respectively. However, a point worth noting is that Lebron played for more minutes per game(39 per game) than Luka.
This is a massive comparison for young Luka, and very few rookies even come close to it.
European pro players develop quicker than American players--- Lebron James on Luka
This is just a start for Doncic and being compared to LeBron is in itself a great achievement for him. Lebron won this award in 2003 with the above stats, and Luka deserves to win it this year.
1) Better than all other Rookies of his Class
Luka's highlights reels have been played over and over all season long. He has produced a spectacle for the fans and the players whenever he has stepped on the court. He has been praised by the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard which in itself is a remarkable feat.
Do you Remeber his Buzzer beater against the Blazers?
Luka deserves to win the ROTY award, and the main factor is because he was better than each and everyone of his class. Let me also statistically prove that to you.
Luka averaged 21.2 points this season, which is more than all other top rookies- Trae Young (19.1), Collin Sexton (16.7), Deandre Ayton (16.3) and so on. He also leads them in the number of three-pointers and free throws made per game. Along with Landry Shamet, he averaged more than two three-pointers per game. Also, Luka averaged 4.8 free throws per game, and the only rookie above the four-mark besides him was Trae Young, who averaged 4.2 free-throws per game.
Leaving aside the statistical part, no other rookie had a more significant impact on his team than Luka. He has led the Mavs from the front and has been exceptional on both ends of the floor. His 4.2 million votes for the All-Star games is something extraordinary and shows his vast fandom which crosses the borders of the United Staes.
Luka Doncic undoubtedly deserves to be the rookie of the year for 2018-19 NBA season.
Guess the Lakers players!
