Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. We’re here to talk about the daily happenings in the NBA!
Luka Doncic did his thing against Nikola Jokic in overtime on Wednesday.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jack Dempsey/AP.)
Luka Doncic does it again. The Mavericks and Nuggets went to overtime on Thursday and it was Doncic that hit some clutch shots to help put away Denver. Doncic went for 38-9-13 as he matched Nikola Jokic, who went for 38 points and 11 boards. While the Mavericks haven’t gotten off to a stellar start, Luka, who is STILL working his way back to shape, has had eye-popping numbers once again.
Luka is averaging 27.6 points, 9.0 boards, and 8.0 assists per game. Let’s remember that he’s STILL only 21 years old. Someone as great as Luka just has a different level of judging. If he’s this good now, his prime years are going to be extremely terrifying.
But think about it? 21 years old. 22 in February 28. Normally, we see players this young come in and we salivate over what could be for them. Or we kind of give them an out because the player is “young.” “Well, he’ll make that mistake. He’s only 23 years old. When he gets more experience, he’ll be okay.”
Luka is way farther along at this point. He’s among the favorites to win Most Valuable Player this year (if he wins this year, he’ll be the youngest in league history to win it). We knew he was something when he won the Euroleague MVP and Euroleague championship at age 19. Sometimes, I just look back and think how teams can pass on him. He would win Rookie of the Year in 2019 and became an all-star and a member of the All-NBA First Team last season. And of course, we all remember his game-winning three-pointer against the Clippers in the playoffs.
And in their game against the Nuggets, he went to work. He was able to dish it to Maxi Kleber for the go-ahead three (which would’ve been the winner if it wasn’t for Jokic making a buzzer-beating jumper to send it to overtime). Then Doncic scored 9 points in that extra period, including a jumper that put them up five with 33 seconds left.
Even though they had the highest offensive rating in NBA history last season, Luka and the Mavs weren’t great in close games (an astounding 7-19 last season in games decided by 5 points or fewer). So yes, as great as Luka has been, there are still a lot of things to work on. Winning the close games can take the team to another level. And when Luka’s three-ball becomes more consistent… man, oh, man.
But Luka at age 21 is better than pretty much nearly everybody in the league. I mean, when I was 21, I was just excited for the PlayStation 2.
Bullet Passes
But man, Jokic is just not afraid of the moment. They didn’t win the game but when you need a clutch basket…
NIKOLA JOKIC SENDS TO OT!!!!!!! #MileHighBasketball x #MFFL pic.twitter.com/CW4xpQDWKH
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta1) January 8, 2021
Damian Lillard went for 39 points in three quarters as Portland gave Minnesota a beating. I bet Dame smelled 60 after what happened in the past few days.
Who needs Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving when you have Joe Harris that can get buckets for you? The Nets had control against the Sixers for much of Thursday night. Durant could return on Sunday while Kyrie is sitting out for personal reasons.
The Spurs beat the L.A. pro teams in back-to-back games. 20 three-pointers against the Clippers and then 16 against the Lakers. By the way, this Spurs/Lakers game on Thursday night felt like they were facing each other for the 84th time this season.
The Cavs did beat the Grizzlies on Thursday. But this Andre Drummond possession wins everything.
Andre Drummond with what may be the most incredible offensive possession of all time pic.twitter.com/SUgpw6lDnq
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) January 8, 2021
NBA Scoreboard
Jan. 7, 2021
Watch This Play
Anthony Edwards. Look at him taking flight like a top gun!
Anthony Edwards throws it down with authority. pic.twitter.com/6JnGrfYyP9
— NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2021
Came off the bench and scored 26. But those were his two most spectacular points.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.