Jalen Rose Gives Interesting Reason Why Luka Doncic Won’t Be A Legit MVP Candidate By Season’s End

Jalen Rose says Luka Doncic won't be a MVP candidate by time season is over

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Luka Doncic has been the most entertaining NBA player in the young season so far, as the second-year Dallas Mavericks point guard has racked up triple-doubles with ease, while guiding his team to a surprising 9-5 start. Will it last? Only time will tell, but it’s exciting AF to see right now, with Doncic averaging an insane 29.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 9.4 assists so far.

While the 2018 No. 3 overall pick has been lighting it up on the hardwood — which included a 35-point triple-double in just 26 minutes earlier this week against the Golden State Waarriors — NBA analyst Jalen Rose isn’t so sure that Luka Doncic will be a serious contender in the league MVP race. Why? Well, it has nothing to do with the numbers, but has everything to do with Doncic’s team, as Rose thinks the Mavs will, eventually, come back to earth in the win column.

Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, Rose spoke about Doncic’s MVP candidacy falling to the wayside by season’s end because he thinks guys like LeBron James, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo will guide their teams to a higher playoff seed — which is often the measure voters look for in the MVP race. Take a listen to Rose’s explanation below.

Although Jalen Rose did point out that Russell Westbrook recently won the NBA MVP Award with his Oklahoma City Thunder a No. 6 seed in the Western Conference in the 2016-17 season, part of that was because he became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double for the entire season. That cache has worn off since then, meaning Luka Doncic’s MVP candidacy may solely depend on where his Mavericks end up when all is said and done.

This isn’t necessarily a slight by Rose against Doncic, but, more so, praise to former MVPs like Antetokounmpo, Harden and James, who have put up insane numbers while guiding their teams to success at the same time. Will Luka Doncic be able to maintain his level of play and show people that the Mavs are for real? Here’s to hoping, because he’s electric AF on the basketball court, and represents the next generation’s superstar.

(H/T The Big Lead)