LOS ANGELES — According to Coach JJ Redick, Luka Doncic ought to be crowned the NBA’s MVP if he and the Los Angeles Lakers maintain their outstanding form through the conclusion of the regular season.
“Should we maintain our current playing style until the season’s conclusion, and should he persist in performing at that level — in my estimation, he embodies the MVP,” Redick declared on Monday, prior to the Lakers’ game against the Washington Wizards.
Redick highlighted Doncic’s strong early-season performance and his subsequent commanding displays — which include averages of 36.5 points, shooting 49.3% (including 39% from beyond the arc), alongside 8.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 2.3 steals, all while propelling L.A. to a 14-2 win-loss tally since February 28 — to substantiate his assertion.
“In my opinion, upon our 15-4 commencement, a compelling argument could have been advanced for him being the MVP at that juncture,” Redick remarked. “Indeed, he has consistently performed as the MVP in two out of the campaign’s three phases.”
Redick further underscored the Lakers’ performance ledger since January 18 — a 24-10 standing leading up to the Wizards game, representing the second-highest victory total in the NBA during that period as they have ascended to the third position in the Western Conference — as additional evidence of Doncic’s influence.
“He represents the primary force propelling all of our collective success,” Redick stated. “Assuredly, we possess numerous individuals excelling in their respective duties, yet he is the principal orchestrator.”
Redick also commented on Doncic’s commitment to physical conditioning throughout the progression of the season. “His current physical condition is arguably at its peak since his debut or sophomore year,” Redick remarked.
At 27 years old, Doncic has not secured the MVP award, notwithstanding his consistent contention for the accolade through much of his professional tenure.
During the 2023-24 season, he concluded in third place (Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets claimed the distinction); in 2022-23, he was eighth (Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers earned it); in 2021-22, he placed fifth (Jokic was triumphant); in 2020-21, he finished sixth (Jokic also secured it that year); and in 2019-20, he took fourth (Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks prevailed).
When Doncic, who faced a suspension for Monday’s contest following his accumulation of a 16th technical infraction in Saturday’s 116-99 victory against the Brooklyn Nets, was queried regarding his MVP credentials after that game, he conveyed his perplexity about why he hadn’t garnered greater recognition.
“The more effectively I perform, the lower I seem to drop in the standings,” Doncic stated, rendering a portion of his response from Spanish. “Consequently, I am unsure what further actions I can undertake.”
And queried about his candidacy earlier that month, following his 60-point outburst versus the Miami Heat, he chose not to actively advocate for the accolade.
“It is your collective, the press, who cast the votes,” Doncic remarked. “I have no involvement in that process.”
Instead, he has primarily allowed his on-court performance to speak for itself. He tops the NBA in points per contest, achieving a personal best of 33.7; he ranks first across the NBA for both games with 40 or more points (15) and 30 or more points (43); furthermore, he stands third in the league for assists, averaging 8.2 per outing.
Although he has not consistently been acclaimed as a premier defensive player during his professional tenure, he ranks third among all backcourt players in rebounds, securing 7.8 per game; he is sixth across the NBA for steals, with 1.6 per contest; and he holds the seventh spot within the league for total offensive fouls drawn, tallying 14.