Allen Iverson Calls Dallas Mavs' Luka Doncic 'Next Face of the NBA'

Allen Iverson gave his flowers to Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic when discussing who could become the next face of the league.

Few players have captivated the league like Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic.

Doncic has become one of the many young players who are vying to become the face of the league after the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry retire. Among the players who are in the running, including Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, NBA Hall of Famer and former Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson made his pick on ESPN's show NBA Today and picked Doncic.

Apr 10, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots the ball over Bam Adebayo (13).

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

"Luka is crazy man," Iverson said. "His skill set is ridiculous. This guy is scoring 70 [and] it's so wide open...It's hard to guard Luka one-on-one and his skillset is so crazy.."

Doncic has been among the league's best this season and has garnered MVP consideration. The Slovenian superstar is averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game across 70 games this season. His play has been more than instrumental in the Mavs winning 50 games for the second time in three seasons and climbing out of the play-in tournament to the No. 5 seed in a loaded Western Conference.

In the 25 games the All-Star break, Doncic has averaged 32.5 points, 10.2 assists and 10.1 rebounds per game, and Dallas has gone 19-6 in that stretch.

The ultimate test for Doncic will come in the playoffs when he faces the star-studded Los Angeles Clippers for the third time in his four career playoff appearances. Doncic has had plenty of individual success against the Clippers in the playoffs, averaging 33.5 points, 9.5 assists and 8.8 rebounds in his 13 games against them, but both series ended the same with the Clippers advancing and Dallas heading home.

If Doncic can finally get over the hurdle that has been the Clippers and lead the Mavs on a deep playoff run, his claim to be the next face of the league stronger than most of the players he's competing with.