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Dallas Mavericks: The case for Luka Doncic making the 2019 NBA All-Star Game

By Brian McNichols

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 12, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 12, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It may seem like it’s too soon, but Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic is deserving of a spot in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.

There isn’t a basketball fan in this or almost any other country that isn’t wildly excited about the incredibly talented and infectiously joyful Luka Doncic. The teenage Slovenian has exceeded the very high expectations of the first half of his rookie season and he deserves to be rewarded with his first NBA All-Star appearance — a rare occurrence for a first-year player.

There is a logical argument for the Dallas Mavericks‘ rookie phenom and a more whimsical one, so let’s start with the numbers. I don’t plan on attempting to overwhelm with stats, but that’s because it won’t take many to get the point across.

After filtering Western Conference forwards by their per 36 minute numbers (my favorite way to equalize minute loads), there were only six who played more than 1,000 minutes with least 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists per 36 minutes.

Here’s the list, sorted in descending order based on their scoring numbers:

That’s the whole list. If you bump the assists up to five per 36 minutes, it whittles away Davis, George and Randle.

Okay, so let’s look at some advanced numbers, specifically those same Western Conference forwards that have a true shooting percentage of 55 or better, an assist-to-turnover ratio over 1.5, and a usage rate of 20 percent or more. In short, the players that have the ball a fair amount, but shoot a decent percentage and aren’t wasteful. Sorted by true shooting percentage, this list is mostly familiar with Kevin Durant, Danilo Gallinari (another surprise!), Anthony Davis, Paul George, and Luka Doncic.

Both of those lists combined contain a total of seven forwards. The 2017-18 All Stars contained six players that were able to qualify as forwards: LeBron, Davis, Durant, George, LaMarcus Aldridge and Draymond Green.

We may as well assume that the first four there are making it again, meaning there is most likely no more than two spots remaining for a forward. Doncic is right there stats-wise with the monsters of roundball rock. Would he actually make it over someone like Draymond? Probably not, if for no other reason than his age. But should he?

Taking the numbers out of the equation for a while, which I guess just leaves an equals sign, Luka Doncic is exactly the type of player that should be in exhibition games like this. The amount of glee he exudes as he plays is contagious, and his passing and desire to attack would provide a spark to a game that can sometimes drag. Yes, he is young, but explain to me how Luka lobbing to a loping Joel Embiid or hitting a step-back 3 over the extendable extremities of Giannis Antetokounmpo is anything but delightful.

The NBA is a generational league. The players are grouped with their contemporaries and grow together and push each other. As the best players in the world crest their peak, the next wave of climbers is ready to take over. Currently there are four generations of players in the league and all could be represented in one All-Star game.

  • LeBron (and Dwyane Wade if he gets voted in) is the “old” man, the one who is not quite in his prime anymore, although LeBron is breaking most of these rules to pieces.
  • The next level down are the prime players, the ones in their late 20s (or early 30s) like Durant, James Harden, Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard.
  • After that are the players that are around 24-26 and just starting to enter their prime. This is a scary group because some of these players are MVP-caliber already like Anthony Davis, Antetokounmpo, Embiid and Kyrie Irving.
  • Then comes the future stars, the most variable group. These are the players that are barely allowed to drink alcohol in the U.S. (or still aren’t). Some will be superstars, some won’t, but gosh darn it they’re fun to speculate about. This is where Luka Doncic fits along with players like Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell, who have all proven to be special already.

All four of these groups are important to the league and it would be wonderful to see them all playing together.

Next. Week 15 NBA Power Rankings. dark

Luka Doncic should be a Western Conference All Star. Yes, it is a long shot because of his age and his status as a rookie. Yes, part of my reasoning comes from the heart. But yes, it would still be a deserved selection if the media and coaches agree with the voters around the world who want to see him make the cut.

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