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NBA MVP Ladder Week 21: New name enters the top five

By Michael Shearer

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 31: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks defends Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 31, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Mavericks defeat the Celtics 113-108. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 31: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks defends Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 31, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Mavericks defeat the Celtics 113-108. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NBA MVP Ladder Week 21: New name enters the top five
DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 07: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates after scoring against the Utah Jazz in the second half at American Airlines Center on March 07, 2022 in Dallas, Texas, NBA MVP Ladder Week 21: New name enters the top five. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Week 21 NBA MVP Ladder: 4. Luka Doncic

Rank last week: 3

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 28.0/9.3/8.8/1.2/0.5

FG%/3P%/FT%: 45.1/33.6/74.1

Off EPM / Def EPM: +4.0/+0.5

Luka Doncic’s tear without Kristaps Porzingis continues. He’s posting absurd scoring totals with the revival of his stepback three, but he’s also taking advantage of all the newfound space in the paint to knife through the defense for easy buckets at the rim.

The public humiliation around his weight and motivation from earlier in the season forged a stronger, more determined Doncic. The addition of Spencer Dinwiddie provides a competent playmaking threat who can both get Doncic more open looks and ease his offensive burden, and Doncic’s assists totals have dropped accordingly.

To make up for that, he’s been rebounding the ball with new ferocity, which lets him go directly at the defense in semi-transition before they have time to set. He’s garnered 16, 10, eight, and 11 rebounds in his last four games, which helps jumpstart the Dallas offense.

Per Cleaning the Glass, Doncic has been getting to the rim and floater area at higher rates than before the Porzingis trade. Lineups with Doncic and Dinwiddie have annihilated defenses, and playing with Doncic has put Dinwiddie in a more comfortable role as a secondary playmaker.

Free to just get buckets, Doncic has responded with massive scoring outbursts and has hit 34+ in three of his last four games. Doncic already has the respect of opponents around the league. He’s finally earning it back from the media, too, and he is making a hard charge for MVP at the tail end of the season.