Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic named as finalist for Most Improved Player

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic named as a finalist for Most Improved Player

The Dallas Mavericks set a goal of making the playoffs at the start of the season. Luka Doncic won the Rookie of the Year in 2019. Everyone was hoping he would take another step forward as the team did in 2020. Doncic made a massive leap instead.

The 21-year-old transformed into a superstar. He started in the All-Star game and is well on his way to his first All-NBA selection. Luka is averaging 29.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game in his second season. He has become one of the NBA’s elite players.

The improvements put Luka Doncic in the running for two awards. The NBA announced the finalists for each on Aug. 8. Let us take a look at where Luka fell.

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic named a finalist for Most Improved Player

Doncic is one of three men that can win the Most Improved Player award this season. The other finalists are Bam Adebayo and Brandon Ingram. All three players made their first All-Star teams in 2020.

Luka should win the award going away. Fans can see what ended up being my final ballot here. Doncic made the most difficult leap in the NBA as a 21-year-old. He became a bonafide superstar. Neither Ingram nor Adebayo can match that.

Doncic was snubbed in the finalists for Most Valuable Player. Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and James Harden are the three players still in the running. Luka deserved to be on every ballot. He should finish in the top five despite not being a finalist.

The award winners will be announced on TNT during the NBA playoffs. Hopefully, Luka Doncic takes home some hardware for the second straight year. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.