Dallas Mavericks: 5 reasons Luka Doncic should be considered for MVP

Why Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic should be considered for MVP: 3. Mavs comeback

Winning matters in the MVP race. Fans can disagree, but the proof is in the pudding. The last three winners have all come from the team with the best record in the league. Since 2003, only one time has the MVP not come from a team with one of the four best records in the NBA. Russell Westbrook won in 2017 as the Thunder finished sixth in the Western Conference. He did average a triple-double per game. It was the first time someone accomplished that feat since 1962.

Luka had no chance of garnering MVP votes if the Dallas Mavericks finished in seventh and were part of the play-in tournament. Their climb up the standings is what got Doncic back in the race. They may not be done either. The Mavericks are just 1.5 games behind the Lakers for fifth in the West. A hot stretch against a favorable schedule could have Dallas in the top five and improve Luka’s MVP candidacy.

Since Feb. 3, the Mavericks are 25-13. That is when they finally got healthy and started finding their stride. Take off the four games Doncic missed and Dallas has won 68.6 percent of their contests. Producing that over the entire season would give the Mavericks the fourth-best record in the league. Luka is an elite player that helps his team win, and it is another reason to consider him for MVP.

Next: No. 2