Grizzlies Star Recalls 2018 Draft: Mavs' Luka Doncic 'Was Like a Myth'
Well before Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic had four All-NBA First Team selections in five seasons, he was a star overseas as well with Real Madrid, winning the EuroLeague championship and MVP in 2018 before heading to the U.S. to be in the NBA Draft.
Although there were a lot of people who still didn't know as much about Doncic at that point in time, the Slovenian Sensation never lacked any confidence in his abilities and potential.
On a recent episode of the Podcast P show with Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. dished on what it was like being in the same draft class as Doncic.
“Surprised? It's tough in my class. It was tough. I mean, there weren't a lot of shocking surprises," Jackson said. "I mean, maybe Luka, but we didn't see him. We never saw his game. We just saw him walk on the draft bus for the first time. Who is this dude? He winked at everybody down the line.
"I was like, oh my God, it's either he's about to go and destroy or... No one saw him [in New York]... He was like a myth. Everyone's talking about who's about to come and destroy the world and we haven't seen him."
Needless to say, Doncic has lived up to that mythical comparison in the last five years. Not only does he have his All-NBA accolades stacking up, but he has several outstanding NBA playoff and Olympic moments. Doncic holds NBA postseason averages of 32.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from deep. In the 2020 Olympics, Doncic put up 48 points in Slovenia's win over Argentina, which is tied for the second-most points scored in a single game in Olympics history.
With as many accomplishments as Doncic already has on his mantle, both in the NBA and internationally, he could probably retire today at age 24 and still be inducted into the Hall of Fame. That's not hyperbole, that's just how good this guy really is and has been for the better part of a decade. And to think ... he hasn't even hit his prime yet.
Follow Dalton Trigg on Twitter. SUBSCRIBE to Mavs Step Back on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here. Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.
