Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-22 season: 10-1

By Corey Rausch

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 04: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter during the preseason game at Moda Center on October 04, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 04: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter during the preseason game at Moda Center on October 04, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
NBA (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Top 50 NBA players ranked: 7. Luka Doncic

Previous Rank: 7

Prior to the announcement of the start date for last season, Luka Doncic felt like the favorite to win the MVP and make a noticeable push forward in the standings. Then the season started a month sooner than previously expected and Doncic was not quite himself when games got underway. This season, the Mavericks and Doncic will not be facing any such issue.

Doncic’s individual production took a slight hit as he was not at peak shape at the start of the season. In his third season in the league, the star averaged 27.7 points, 8.6 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. These are MVP-level numbers, and yet they are all down from the previous season. Now with new head coach Jason Kidd running the show, Doncic will have to do even more to get the team over the hump.

Had the Mavericks not run into the LA Clippers in the first round of the postseason for the second consecutive season, much of this would look different. Now, with a healthier Kristaps Porzingis, Doncic is looking to win his first playoff series. He was able to nearly push Slovenia deeper in the Olympics than ever before. Now, it is time to return the Mavericks to the second round.