None of the rookies selected with the first four picks of the 2018 NBA draft, though, have been better than the player taken directly after them – a reality Luka Doncic continues to make abundantly clear. The Dallas Mavericks star, playing his first game since the team traded for the injured Kristaps Porzingis, poured in 28 first-half points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, showing off his full repertoire of offensive skills in the process, much to Mavs fans' delight.
Deandre Ayton is more NBA ready than most anyone anticipated, beasting veterans on the interior while making a concerted effort defensively. Marvin Bagley has consistently jolted the Sacramento Kings with energy and is a perfect fit for the team's new go-go playing style. Trae Young has breathed new life into the Atlanta Hawks of late, exhibiting the court sense of a seasoned floor general while slowly adjusting to NBA three-point range. Jaren Jackson, Jr. looks like a future two-way star, providing the struggling Memphis Grizzlies with a bridge to the future as the team regrettably gauges the trade market for Mike Conley and Marc Gasol.
Doncic's vaunted step-back three, naturally, of which he made four prior to intermission. There's just nothing the defense can do when he's draining impossibly-difficult shots like these.
Luka Doncic hits 4 step-back 3s to end the 1st quarter with 18 points pic.twitter.com/Ke7Ntl2cqm
— Per Sources (@PerSources) February 3, 2019
Oh yeah: Doncic had five rebounds and five assists in the first half, too.
Yes, the Cavaliers own the league's worst defense by a country mile, and yes, any shooter can put up eye-popping numbers when he has the hot hand. But what Doncic is doing to Cleveland on Saturday night is merely an extension of the same type of game he plays on a nightly basis.
The scariest part? Doncic doesn't turn 20 years old until later this month.
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