NBA makes massive, disrespectful mistake about Mavericks star Luka Doncic

Heading into tonight's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Dallas Mavericks are sitting at 20-15 on the season and are in seventh place in the Western Conference.

Despite having countless injuries to key members of the team, the Mavs have been able to stay afloat in the West due to the performance of MVP candidate Luka Doncic.

Doncic has been on another level this season, as he is averaging 33.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from downtown.

NBA makes massive, disrespectful mistake about Mavericks star Luka Doncic

Doncic's improvements as a shooter and defender have been massive, but the NBA continues to disregard his greatness.

In the month of December, Doncic became just the second player in NBA history to average 35-8-10 in a month (minimum 10 games) per Mavs PR. Doncic was on a tear in December, and the Mavs were 8-8 on the month. He spent most of December without Kyrie Irving and Josh Green, yet they still won tough games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors.

Despite Luka's individual masterclass in the month of December, he was snubbed on the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Month Award. The NBA gave this award to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who had an excellent month as well, but it was nowhere near the level of excellence as Doncic's was.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in December while winning 10 games. Doncic averaged 37.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 11.1 assists per game in December while winning eight games.

Doncic led Gilgeous-Alexander in each of these three major categories, and he also outplayed him in their one head-to-head matchup of the month.

Although Dallas lost in thrilling fashion against the Thunder, Doncic finished with 36 points, 15 rebounds, and 18 assists in this game. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 17 points, three rebounds, and nine assists. Doncic clearly outshined Gilgeous-Alexander in this game, showing that he is likely the better player of the two right now (although it is extremely close).

Despite all of this, Gilgeous-Alexander is still a phenomenal player and an MVP candidate. The NBA world has made fans pick between the two, as there is always seemingly an argument about who is better when fans should just appreciate the greatness of both of them.

Both players are the leaders of their team in a tough Western Conference and have long, successful careers ahead of them. It was clear that Doncic deserved the Player of the Month Award in December, but Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show as well.

For all the latest on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.