Rashad Phillips Explains Why We’re Watching Luka Dončić’s Ceiling Now

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Luka Dončić

Basketball evaluator Rashad “Yoda” Phillips believes that we’re seeing the ceiling of Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić right now.

Phillips gave his analysis on Dončić to Chris Broussard years ago before his NBA career debuted. He called his feet, “slower than rush hour traffic”, and projected that Dončić would not be a lottery pick.

That doesn’t stop Phillips from giving Dončić his credit for how he’s performed in his first four seasons, averaging no less than 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists each year. Phillips compliments Dončić on The Basketball Society Podcast by saying that we’re seeing his ceiling right now.

The main reason being that Dončić has been playing professional basketball since he was a teenager.

“When Trae (Young) and Ja Morant and a lot of these guys were just playing AAU basketball, Luka was being paid to be a professional. So right now, even though Luka is young, he’s already a proven superstar. Luka’s been a superstar since he was 17 years old.”

Phillips, like many, now likens the Mavericks star’s game to the likes of LeBron James and James Harden, saying that he’s “an unguardable guy” who will be an NBA MVP one day. He adds that once he cleans up his efficiency and Dallas has the right pieces around him, he should be able to reach another level.

There’s still room for the 23-year-old star to improve. Dončić has yet to shoot 50 percent from the field or 80 percent from the free throw line in a season. He’s only shot 35 percent from three one time.

Dončić won Rookie of the Year and has been an All-Star in three of his first four seasons. He averaged 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists this past February and has the Mavericks in a solid playoff position without anything close to a super team assembled in Dallas. This season he’s averaging 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists per game.

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