The NBA has finally discovered the secret to slowing down Luka Doncic — put him in competitions that don’t matter.
He lost his only round of the Skills Competition and somehow played 31 minutes as a starter in the ensuing All-Star game and didn’t record double-digit numbers in either points or assists.
Doncic is at his best weaving his way through defenders, throwing impossible passes and creating offense near the rim through contact — not the type of stuff that thrives in a meaningless exhibition.
I pondered this thought on Twitter and I’d like to repeat it here: How many times does Luka score 20-plus points in his All-Star game career?
There were no minute restrictions in this one and Luka still seemed content with smiling and having fun sharing the floor with fellow superstar peers.
There are worse things in life than being a fan of a player that coasts through an All-Star weekend and then drops daggers in the playoffs a few months later.
- All-Star briefs: Cold Luka bows out quickly, gracefully in skills competitionMavs.com
- In compressed NBA All-Star experience, Luka Doncic showcases same infectious joy that's defined his riseThe Dallas Morning News
- Luka Doncic leads team of All-Stars in one category as Team LeBron dominated Team DurantFort Worth Star-Telegram
- Second All-Star Outing "A Pleasure" For Mavs Luka DoncicSports Illustrated
- Mavericks: Luka Doncic throws down unbelievable dunk in All-Star gameThe Smoking Cuban
- Mavs star Luka Doncic's hilarious reason for botching Skills ContestClutchPoints
- Luka Doncic Set to Join LeBron James, Kobe Bryant in a Special All-Star Game RecordEssentiallySports
- This Magic-Mavericks trade is centered on Evan FournierNBA Analysis Network
- After a wild first half, where exactly do the Mavericks stand at the All-Star break?Dallas Sports Fanatic
