Luka Doncic Is the Next Face of the NBA: Unchecked

Luka Doncic had his legend making moment in leading the Dallas Mavericks over the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime.

I’m sure a lot of what will be said about Luka Doncic today may come off like hyperbole, but it sure did feel as if we were watching the future face of the league as he put 43, 17, 13 and a step back game-winning three on the Los Angeles Clippers heads in a Dallas Mavericks overtime win. 

Luka Doncic. Legendary. pic.twitter.com/XfM5iQOHXw

— Jacob Ortiz (@jacobryanortiz) August 24, 2020

Not only is the 21-year-old already top five but he’s on course for all time. And his performance on Sunday felt more like a moment, in the vein of Michael Jordan’s 63 against the Boston Celtics or LeBron James’ 25 straight versus the Detroit Pistons. 

Luka Doncic and Michael Jordan are the only players in NBA postseason history to cap a 40-point performance with a buzzer beater while trailing.

Jordan did it in 1989 when he hit "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo. pic.twitter.com/3zKhCS5Lmz

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 23, 2020

Now Luka still has a long long way to go before he can even be mentioned in the same breath as the GOATs of course, but there is no one the NBA should be pushing more right now. Luka needs to be getting that Zion Williamson marketing.

Stop hyping up Zion... Luka is Next

— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) August 23, 2020

It’s not like his brand can't be broad. He’s got a flair to his game that any hoops fan will appreciate, real recognize real after all, and international appeal. Also, I’m sure the color of his skin doesn’t hurt, even if Montrezl Harrell used the wrong adjectives when pointing it out.

Luka Doncic, who was called a "bitch ass white boy" by Montrezl Harrell during Game 3 confrontation: "No worries. There’s a lot of emotions on the court, especially this is playoffs. Sometimes you say things you don’t want to say. He apologized. I respect that, so no problems." https://t.co/QHkZ4flVWf

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) August 23, 2020

Because when Doncic steps on the court he’s simply a bad dude period, with a game more inspired by LeBron and James Harden than it is Larry Bird and Dirk Nowitzki.

Luka said “I always looked up to LeBron, he’s my idol” and is cooking the Clippers, there is no other choice but to be a fan

Woj also explaining how happy Luka was to get LeBron’s signed jersey after their game pic.twitter.com/Qa11ttJnau

— 🌟Fake (@LALeBron23) August 23, 2020

Though like Larry before him, Luka Legend certainly has a nice ring to it. As watching Doncic do what he did to a team with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the wing, without his wingman in Kristaps Porzingis and on a bum ankle, we saw a superstar not waiting in the wings but who has arrived. 

Luka is already bored with playing Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in the playoffs he needed a new challenge in the middle of OT pic.twitter.com/vXyuHbWSSc

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 24, 2020

And he will be here for a long time. It’s not at all far fetched to say the NBA will soon be Luka’s league.