Dallas Mavericks: 5 goals for Luka Doncic’s rookie season
1. Win Rookie of the Year
This is the boldest of the goals expected out of a rookie with zero North American basketball experience, but it’s still awfully feasible. The 2018 NBA Draft class is a strong one with a bevy of competition for the Rookie of the Year. Some of the favouites to win include No. 1 overall draft selection Deandre Ayton, No. 2 pick Marvin Bagley III, surprise pick Kevin Knox of the New York Knicks, and brief Maverick Trae Young, now of the Atlanta Hawks.
A recipe for a successful ROY candidate is twofold. First, there has to be an opportunity to be a key contributor in the rotation, playing crucial minutes and being instrumental on offense. Secondly, it takes being a leader in more than one primary statistic like points, rebounds, assist, steals or blocks. Candidates tend to have double-digit scoring going along one or two other primary statistic that helps solidify their candidacy as the best rookie for the season.
Doncic has an opportunity to play heavy minutes in a starting position and an additional opportunity to be the primary ball-handler in that capacity. This will allow him to run the offense, generate large assists totals — especially with lob receiver specialist DeAndre Jordan as the big man and one of the focal points on offense.
Wonder Boy has a great ability to create his own shot, using his strength to drive through traffic for a bucket inside, and he’s also a great pick-and-roll player, utilizing his vision, patience and footwork. At the end of the day, this 19-year-old teen can straight up ball and has been a champion up to this point in his career, so who’s to say it won’t continue?