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Markieff Morris on Luka Doncic 'Carrying' Mavs: 'Don't See Why He's Not No. 1 for MVP'

Originally posted on FanNation Dallas Basketball
By Dalton Trigg | Last updated 12/17/23

The Dallas Mavericks are off to their best start in the Jason Kidd coaching era at 16-9, and the main reason for that is the stellar play of Luka Doncic. The 24-year-old superstar is averaging 32.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game while leading his team to third-place in the Western Conference despite the team dealing with several key injuries – including co-star Kyrie Irving with a heel contusion.

During the Mavs' 131-120 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night, Doncic put on yet another jaw-dropping performance, as he finished with 40 points – 30 of which were scored in the first half alone – 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Doncic (8) passed NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain (7) for fourth-place on the NBA's all-time 40-point triple-double list.

After the game, veteran forward Markieff Morris, who had a decent outing of his own with 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal in 20 minutes off the bench, said he doesn't understand why there isn't more MVP hype around his four-time All-NBA First Team teammate.

"Man I've played with some great players, but the game is just so easy to him," Morris said of Doncic. "I've never seen somebody like damn-near walk through the game. He plays the same way in practice. It's his skill. Yeah man, I don't know see why he's not No. 1 in the running for MVP. I just don't get it. Because he's carrying our team – scoring, rebounds and assists – on a nightly basis."

Although Doncic has yet to top any of the national media's projected NBA MVP lists 25 games into the season, if he keeps producing at his current rate while the Mavs keep winning games, he should be the frontrunner. The Mavs are winning games despite having to deal with a handful of injuries, so once they get healthy, giving Doncic more roster depth to work with ... look out.

This article first appeared on FanNation Dallas Basketball and was syndicated with permission.

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