Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic downplayed comparisons to LeBron James, despite going toe-to-toe against him in the fan voting for the upcoming 2020 NBA All-Star Game. The reigning Rookie of the Year is also among the early shortlist of candidates for the Most Valuable Player award, but Doncic recognizes he's yet to carve the imprint King James has during his 17-year career.

“I’m nowhere near that,” Doncic said after Thursday’s practice session, according to Dwain Price of Mavs.com. “I’m 20 years old and this is my second year in the league.

“Anything can happen, so I’ve got to prove a lot.”

Luka Doncic has had an otherworldly ascent to superstardom, one that had not been seen since James himself or Grant Hill. Yet to be in James' league is to showcase greatness season after season, now one of the few remnants of a highly-lauded 2003 draft class.

The 20-year-old still has much to prove, yet to play in a postseason game or challenge for an NBA Finals bid. Most importantly, one of James' greatest assets as a superstar is his consistency, and there can't be consistency without some tenure.

Doncic and James' career are too far apart to be compared now, as James has played in the league for 15 more years. The Mavericks star, has however displayed a knack for clutch finishes and the ability to carry his team, an acumen that resembles a young James and what he was tasked to do for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2000s.