Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle isn't surprised by what Luka Doncic does anymore. That's because Carlisle expects greatness from Doncic, who has gotten off to a stellar start to the season for the Mavs.
Carlisle says Doncic is “one of the best players on the planet” and the numbers and eye test back him up.
Rick Carlisle used to be very careful about heaping too much praise or too high of expectations onto Luka Doncic. That’s … changed.
From his presser today: “he’s one of the best players on the planet, so nothing he does surprises me.”
— tim cato (@tim_cato) November 7, 2019
Through the Mavs' first six games of the season, Doncic is averaging 26.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.5 assists. The 20-year-old is shooting 46.4 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from beyond the arc and 80.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Doncic already has four double-doubles and three triple-doubles and is well on his way to making his first All-Star appearance.
In the post-Dirk Nowitzki era, Doncic is the franchise player in Dallas. Luka has some help, too, as Kristaps Porzingis is an All-Star talent who will be tasked to aid Doncic in guiding the Mavs back to the playoffs.
Dallas hasn't been to the postseason since 2016.
As a rookie, Doncic put up 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor, 32.7 percent from the 3-point line and 71.3 percent from the charity stripe. As expected, Luka has taken his game to another level as a sophomore, something the Mavs and Carlisle knew was going to happen.
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