Dallas Mavericks: 5 reasons why Luka Doncic should win Most Improved Player

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Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

Why Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic should win Most Improved Player: 5. Historic stat line

At the time the NBA suspended play, Luka was averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. He is the only player in the top 20 in the NBA in all three categories this season. Those numbers are historically great too.

According to Basketball-Reference, Doncic is only the third player in league history to average over 28 points, nine rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game for an entire season. Russell Westbrook did it in 2017, and Oscar Robertson accomplished the feat four straight years in the 1960s.

It is no knock on Ingram or Adebayo, but neither player is producing those numbers. B.I. has boosted to 23.9 points per game, but that is far cry from Luka’s nearly 29.

Doncic produced 8.8 win shares this season. That is 3.9 more than last year. Ingram jumped 3.1 and Adebayo just 1.6. Luka made the biggest leap by the advanced metrics too.

Sure, Doncic averaged over 21 points per game as a rookie, but he improved his efficiency, defense, and playmaking significantly in year two. It was a monster jump that no player in the NBA can match. The award is the Most Improved Player. Luka is drastically better and should not be punished for playing well as a rookie. The stats prove he should take home the award.

Next: No. 4