Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic hitting 3-pointers makes him unstoppable

The Dallas Mavericks are finally starting to heat up. They got off to a slow start in part because of injuries and COVID issues. Superstar Luka Doncic also showed up a bit out of shape but has caught fire to help the Mavs win six of their last eight games. They are back in the playoff race and ready to climb further up the standings.

Luka’s impressive improvements are on full display in year three. He has connected on 79.5 percent of his free throws so far. Doncic shot just 57 mid-range jumpers last season but has made 47.5 percent of his 80 tries through the Mavericks first 28 games. Fans have loved the Dirk Nowitzki one-legged fadeaway that Luka has added to his bag of tricks too. He is a walking highlight reel.

Doncic is one of the five best offensive players in the NBA, but improving his 3-point shooting would take his game to another level. The 21-year-old and the Mavericks would be unstoppable if Luka becomes an above-league average shooter from long range. Here is an in-depth look at why.

Luka Doncic makes the Dallas Mavericks unstoppable when he is hitting threes

Doncic is a career 32.3 percent shooter from downtown. The league average is 36.8 percent this season but usually sits closer to 35.5 percent. Luka 3-point percentage dropped to 31.6 in year two. He is taking a ton of difficult looks including heaves at the end of clocks that drag his numbers down.

Over the Mavs recent hot streak, Luka is shooting 44.4 percent from 3-point range on 7.7 attempts per game. Over the last 20 contests, he has hit 37.7 percent of his long-distance tries, and the Mavericks are sixth in offensive rating during that stretch. Let us take a closer look at why the team becomes unstoppable when Luka Doncic nails his 3-pointers.

Next: Luka's drives

Nobody can stop Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic from getting to the basket

Doncic is second in the league in drives with 23.7 per game, according to NBA Stats. It is not just that he drives the ball a ton, though. Luka is second in the NBA among players with at least five attempts per game in field goal percentage at 57.8 percent. He also averages 2.9 assists a night off drives, which leads the league.

Luka is shooting 62.8 percent in the restricted area this season and 50.7 percent in the paint without being in the restricted. He is one of the best finishers in the NBA. Fans enjoy this on a nightly basis. Doncic has too many moves including the euro step.

Luka also possesses one of the best floaters in the league. He is 52 of 92 on floaters this season as classified by NBA Stats. Sell out to stop Doncic from getting to the rim, he busts out the floater. Commit too many defenders inside, and he passes out for a wide-open 3-pointer.

Luka’s ability to get into the paint and create easy shots is why the Dallas Mavericks had the highest offensive rating in NBA history last season. The 21-year-old superstar adds another element by hitting his threes, though.

Next: Threes open the floor

The threat of Luka Doncic shooting threes opens floor for Dallas Mavericks

Luka is an incredible driver and finisher inside. His 3-point numbers are below league average, but teams do not play off him. The Warriors could drop on this play as Kent Bazemore gets stuck on the screen, but Draymond Green plays up on him. Doncic drills a step back 3-pointer anyway.

To open the Mavericks game against the Blazers on Feb. 14, Doncic found Maxi Kleber for an easy lay-in. The Blazers showed hard on the 21-year-old at the 3-point line, and it left the inside wide open.

Luka’s ability to shoot opens the floor. Fans know he is one of the best passers in the NBA. At 6’7, Doncic is big enough to see over the defense and has the vision to find the open teammate every time. When he is hitting his 3-pointers, the opposition has no way to defend the Mavericks. They are left with only bad options because selling out to get the ball out of his hands just opens the floor for easy buckets.

If Luka Doncic can shoot over 36 percent for the season, the Dallas Mavericks are unstoppable. It is the one missing piece in his incredible offensive game. Expect Doncic to improve his outside shooting. When he rises above league average, watch out. The superstar will be the best offensive talent in the league.