Luka Doncic Named 1 of NBA's All-Time Great Scorers by Giannis, 'Some People Are Scared to Say That'

Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo heaped heavy praise on Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić on Monday night following the Lakers' 138-117 home win.

After Dončić led all players with 42 points, Giannis told reporters, "Obviously, he's one of the best scorers to play this game, if not the best."

When asked if he meant that Dončić is one of the NBA's best scorers currently, Giannis clarified by saying, "Not right now. Not right now. Of all time. I feel like some people are scared to say that, but he's got to be up there."

Heat-Lakers Highlights

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The 27-year-old Dončić is off to a scorching-hot start this season, leading the NBA with 38.3 points per game, as he attempts to secure the third scoring title of his career.

Dončić previously accomplished the feat during the 2023-24 season with the Dallas Mavericks and last season with the Lakers when he put up 33.5 points per contest.

The Slovenian superstar is trending toward his eighth consecutive season of averaging 28 points per game or better. He is also on pace to average over 30 points per game for the fourth time in his career.

Dončić's career scoring average of 29.3 points per game puts him in elite company, as only Hall of Famers Michael Jordan (30.12) and Wilt Chamberlain (30.07) are above him on the all-time list.

A six-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection, Dončić is still in search of his first NBA MVP Award and NBA championship.

Dončić has four career finishes of fifth or better in the NBA MVP voting, including fourth last season, but he has never finished better than third.

While competition from the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama is stiff, this could finally be Dončić's year, as long as the Lakers succeed as a team on top of his individual excellence.

At 6-2, the Lakers are tied for the third-most wins in the NBA this season, and Luka's play is undoubtedly a huge reason why.

An NBA MVP and championship contention could be in Dončić's immediate future if he continues at his current pace, and a Hall of Fame induction seems likely even further down the line.