The 4 least-scrutinized players in the NBA right now

4. Luka Doncic

Can you really be that loved after less than two seasons in the league? In the case of Luka Doncic, and only Luka Doncic, you can. Whereas Trae Young, the player he was traded for on draft night, has gone the other way and is more scrutinized, Doncic enjoys the freedom of being a fan favorite when playing.

His abilities on the court are part of the reason, and as a first time All-Star this season he has quickly dispelled a myth that has persisted for decades that European players are soft. That helps, but so too does the fact he continues to be linked with Young.

This is because fans of Young seem to get quite touchy when the comparison of the two is brought up, and all this appears to do is elevate the standing of Doncic and not Young right now. Which is weird. But it is clear he is a franchise cornerstone and has fit right in with the Mavericks, seamlessly replacing Dirk Nowitzki which always looked an impossible task.

Returning to the fact he’s European, and fans not from America seem to get behind him more for that reason too. America will always be the home of basketball, and it is unclear exactly when they won’t win an Olympic Gold medal in the future as well. But the sport is as big as it has ever been abroad, thanks to social media and international stars. Doncic is certainly one of those.

As with all of the players who are going to appear here, circumstance is also in Doncic’s favor at this moment in time. The Mavericks were supposed to be terrible for a couple of years while Doncic transitioned from playing in the pros in Europe. Only he’s so good, so quickly, and with a really fun roster around him, they’re ahead of schedule.

This only helps his cause more, but it won’t always be this way. Doncic will need to deliver once the expectations begin to set in as well, and they will. He looks well up to the task at the moment, but only time will tell if that remains the case. Right now though, this guy can do nothing wrong.