Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic took the NBA by storm this season. Despite coming into the league at 19 years old, the Slovenian star played at a very high level every game. Although the Mavs didn't make the playoffs, they're looking into a bright future with Doncic leading the way.
Luka is the frontrunner to win Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game this season. Now, as Doncic looks forward to becoming the Mavs' next cornerstone, head coach Rick Carlisle assured him that he will have the full support of the team and the organization in terms his growth and development as a player.
In an interview with Dallas Morning News, Carlisle said that he met with Doncic last Friday to discuss some of the team's plans for next season. One of the things that he told the young point guard during their conversation was to not get too caught up with the festivities of winning Rookie of the Year if he does end up receiving the award.
“One thing that Luka is going to have to take away from this — which is difficult if indeed he does win rookie of the year, which I agree with you he will – to not over-celebrate that success and just feel like you've kind of arrived. That's one of the traps that can happen.”
Rick Carlisle added that he wants Luka Doncic to remain focused on the task at hand, which is to continue working on his game as he becomes more comfortable in the NBA.
“I think he has an understanding of what needs to happen. But from this point going forward, it's all about the work.”
Doncic is no doubt a star in the making, and it won't be long before he becomes one of the best players in the NBA. Carlisle knows this and has assured Luka that he will get all the help and support that he needs from his teammates, the coaching staff and the franchise in general.
“The possibilities are really infinite. He can really take this to whatever level he commits to. Our job is going to be to give him the tools for success by being there for him, being in the gym with him, giving him the right things to work on, giving him the right conceptual things that he needs to do to help our team to continue to get better.”
For the first time in 21 years, the Mavericks will be without future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, but the team and its fans have something new to look forward to.
Follow Us
Subscribe