NBA Exec: Luka Dončić 'Not Wired to Destroy' Rivals Like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant
Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Dončić finished third in the NBA MVP voting this season, but one anonymous NBA executive questioned if he has the competitive fire needed to be a champion and an all-time great.
Speaking to Howard Beck of The Ringer, the exec said that while they believe Dončić wants to win and succeed, he isn't "wired to destroy" opponents like legendary players such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were.
The executive added that Dončić comes across as more of a showman than a competitor at times, noting that the Slovenian star sometimes "downshifts" when he "deems an opponent unworthy of his effort."
Dončić is one of the most naturally talented and gifted players to enter the league in years, and as the executive pointed out, he tends to make things look easy.
The 25-year-old is already a five-time All-Star, and he enjoyed his best season to date in 2023-24, leading the league in scoring with 33.9 points per game, while adding 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per contest as well.
Dončić was third in the NBA this season with 21 triple-doubles, and the exec wondered if there were times during the season when Luka tried to "manufacture" a triple-double in the first half "just to challenge himself."
Although the Mavs have yet to reach the NBA Finals during Dončić's tenure and missed the playoffs last season, postseason success hasn't totally eluded them, as they made it to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago.
This season, Dallas went 52-30 to earn the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, and they took down the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round in six games.
Dončić was spectacular during the series, averaging 29.8 points, 9.5 assists and 8.8 rebounds per game.
The level of competition took a step up in the second round, as the. Mavericks are now going up against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC is off to a great start, as it crushed Dallas 117-95 in Game 1.
Dončić struggled to the tune of 19 points on 6-of-19 shooting, and the Mavs will need him to be significantly better in order to have a chance in the series.
If Dončić manages to bounce back and helps the Mavericks upset the Thunder in the second round en route to the Western Conference Finals, it could go a long way toward helping him shake the reputation the NBA executive discussed.
