Why Luka Doncic is an unquestionable first-team All-NBA selection

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is having a better year than every candidate

When looking strictly at the numbers, Luka Doncic should be the first guard on the All-NBA ballot. He puts up the best traditional stats and no guard can match his advanced metrics. FiveThirtyEight’s WAR has Luka eighth in the NBA behind guards Stephen Curry and Fred VanVleet. A guard or two may top him in a category, but he is consistently in the top ten in every advanced metric. No other guard can say that.

This is no knock on Curry, VanVleet, Ja Morant, or any other guard. They are all phenomenal players that deserve plenty of consideration for All-NBA. It should be a close race between Curry and Morant for the second first-team spot next to Luka Doncic.

Devin Booker, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, VanVleet, Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday, and others will have arguments to make the second and third teams. It is a close race, but Luka stands out among the best guards in the game.

Doncic is looking to earn first-team All-NBA honors for the third straight year. Dallas Mavericks GOAT Dirk Nowitzki made it three consecutive from 2005 to 2007 but only was on the first-team four times in his legendary 21-year career. Nowitzki had another eight All-NBA selections, but Doncic is quickly catching him in first-team honors.

Will Luka Doncic be selected first-team All-NBA in 2022? It is something to watch. If he continues his hot play down the stretch, it will be difficult for voters to leave him off their ballots. Doncic is must-watch right now, so fans should be sure to tune in and enjoy.