Luka Dončić’s greatness hampered by lack of help

Luka Dončić is quickly skyrocketing up the charts when it comes to the NBA‘s all-time greats.

A simple eye test will show that he’s a rare breed on the basketball court, and his astronomical numbers more than back that up.

Dončić tied for the playoff lead in points per game alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.7 PPG) in the ’22 postseason. He ranked in the top 10 in both assists (6.4) and rebounds (9.8) per game, while leading all playoff performers in total points (475).

But despite his individual brilliance, Dončić and the Mavericks have been eliminated from championship contention prior to the NBA Finals in three consecutive seasons. Their most recent playoff exit came at the hands of the Golden State Warriors – in five quick games.

It’s a recurring plague that in Chris Broussard’s mind, has been caused by an absence of aid around Dončić. And according to Broussard, if the Mavs don’t step up and get their star some much-needed help, it will continue to have a negative impact on his legacy.

“I think he needs a championship before we say he’s an all-time great playoff performer,” Broussard stated Friday morning on “First Things First.” “But he’s en route. When you look at his individual ability, the impact he has on winning, and the team success he’s had so far in only his fourth year at 23 years old, he’s on course to become an all-time great. LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain when he averaged 50, never won it by themselves. 

“This has a ceiling,” he claimed. “What the Mavericks need to do is find a way to maximize a second star alongside Luka. But I don’t know if one will want to come play there.”

Kevin Wildes forewarned that the Mavs were in danger of becoming the Atlanta Hawks of the West.

“Everyone in the West – the Lakers, the Pelicans, the Suns – thinks they’re going to be back next year,” Wildes said. “I think that Mark Cuban and Nico Harrison need to go into this offseason pessimistic, like ‘you know what? We might not be better….