In recent years, the NBA has seen a surge of white players of European descent. Vladi Divac, Avydas Sabonis, Dino Raja, Tony Kukoc, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Peja Stojakovic, Dmitry Shlemp, and Dmitry Medvedev are just a few examples. However, the quality and quantity of European players in the league has increased.
Whereas in the past, there were only a few players who played a key role in their teams at different times, nowadays, there are many of them all at once. Since the 1980s, the only time a white player has been called the best player in the league was Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, at least until a few seasons ago. That changed a few seasons ago with the arrival of the leading European player, Nikola Jokic (29‧211 cm).
With one Finals title, one Finals MVP, three regular-season MVPs, three First Team honors, and six All-Star nods in his career, Jokic’s pure athleticism has been compared to that of Michael Jordan and LeBron James in their prime. It’s even more majestic when you consider the negatives (for Americans), such as being European, white, and a less athletic big man. He’s the undisputed No. 1 center and 홀덤 No. 1 player in the league.
You don’t have to look far to see that European white power has been steady and strong this season. Jokic is coming off his third regular-season MVP award, while Domantas Sabonis (6-foot-8) leads the league in rebounding. Kristaps Porzingis (29-foot-2) is Boston’s starting center and has helped the Celtics lead the league in winning percentage.
Nikola Vucevic (34, 208 centimeters), Ivica Zubac (27, 213 centimeters), Isaiah Hartenstein (26, 213 centimeters), Jusuf Nurkic (30, 211 centimeters), and Bogdan Bogdanovic (32, 198 centimeters) were other key members of their respective teams. And let’s not forget Luka “Hallelujah” Doncic (25‧201cm). The Slovenian native has been called the present and future of the Dallas Mavericks.
Denver Nuggets Jokic has had such an incredible career that Doncic is a strong candidate to join the list of the best white players of all time. He’s still the No. 2 white player behind Jokic and one of the top five stars in the league. Given his young age, there’s even talk that he could surpass Yokichi in the future.
A tall dual-guard, Doncic is the type of player who can move around inside and outside as a primary scorer, opening up cracks in opposing defenses and creating opportunities for his teammates. He excels at attacking the rim with face-ups and drawing fouls from defenders in the process to get free throws. Many of his assists come from such plays.
He doesn”t have the speed, quickness, elasticity, or first step of black players, but he uses his quickness to surprise defenses. Moreover, he is not only tall for his position, but he is also a big man and uses his strength to break through defenders. He can struggle with most power forwards, so guards and swingmen are often pushed aside.
His ball-handling is so good that he rarely loses the ball or turns it over, even when he’s playing physical. His ability to shoot the three-pointer, mid-range, two-man game, and post-ups makes it difficult for defenses to keep up with him. That“s why he”s a heavy ball-handler, but he can also drum and dunk. This is why he has been compared to James Harden at his peak.
When Doncic gets the ball from the top, he has a lot of options. First, like many top point guards, he utilizes screens well. He can shoot a three-pointer or mid-range from the screen, or he can attack the rim and kick out a pass. Executes most of the options required of a primary ball-handler at a high level, including breathtaking step-back jump shots, pick-and-rolls, and pick-and-pops. Can use a two-handed dribble to get off defenders and hit long-range shots, or slip through the defense for easy baskets. His fadeaway shot, in which he turns around and shoots while facing the opponent first, is one of the hardest offensive options to defend.
He can beat guards and swingmen with his power and big men with his speed, so he can play all over the floor. His biggest strength is his versatility in the passing game, as he is the team’s field commander and can make a variety of passes in all situations. He converts most of the double teams that come his way into open looks or easy baskets. Even in situations where he doesn’t seem to have the angle to score, he has the flair and skill to throw down an assist, which is something to be admired.
As a testament to his skills, Doncic is currently putting together one of the best individual performances of his career. He’s already been named to the First Team five times, as evidenced by his top performances in every statistical category every season. That’s more than Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, and Nikola Jokic.
He has won five consecutive All-Star games since his rookie season and is still in his prime, so he could challenge LeBron James (13) for the title, which is why he is expected to sign a huge contract with Dallas. There is a high possibility of an extension after next season, and local media is predicting a contract worth 5 years and $346 million.
Despite his record-breaking performance, Doncic is not yet considered the best player in the league. As mentioned earlier, the barrier is too high for Jokic, who is white, European, and has been called the best player in the league. Most importantly, he hasn’t won a team championship or MVP title. He”s currently playing in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This is the team that beat out Jokic’s Denver Nuggets. If they can beat Minnesota and go on to win the Finals, they’ll be able to close the gap on Jokic. Will Doncic be able to carry on the European white star phenomenon that Jokic created in last season’s playoffs? It will be interesting to see if Doncic can extend his longevity and reign.