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Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. I’m still mad that the one time I went to a Mavericks game Luka Dončić got hurt.
In today’s SI:AM:
🗣️ Dončić dominates
🏆 First time champion?
🏈 What NFL retirees are afraid of
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Luke is on fire
Until then it is only a matter of time Lukas Doncic, the 23-year-old Mavericks all-round superstar, wins an MVP award. And after another outstanding game last night, that time could come sooner rather than later.
Dončić has finished in the top six in MVP voting in each of the last three seasons, including fifth last season. In each of those years, he was younger than any player who received more votes than him, suggesting his time is coming. And this season, Dončić has taken his game to a new level.
After averaging 28.4 points per game last season (just short of his career high of 28.8 for the entire 2019–20 season) He averages 33.4 points per game so far this season. And that includes some incredible goal breakouts, like his 60-point triple-double on December 27 and a game four days later in which he had 51 points in 29 shots. He did it again last night, scoring 53 on 17-of-24 shooting– and he did it with a certain attitude. Dončić said after the game that a Pistons assistant coach talked rubbish during the game, so he shot back in the closing seconds.
“It was her assistant coach. He started chirping in the first quarter,” Doncic said afterwards. “They didn’t like it when I chirped back. They said, ‘Play basketball.’ If they chirp me, I’ll chirp back. I’m not afraid.”
Dončić currently has the third lowest odds on SI Sportsbook to win the MVP at +400, behind Joel Embid (+188) and Nikola Jokic (+120). Jokić is having a great season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he won the award for the third year in a row. But voter fatigue is a real thing and some of Jokić’s numbers have fallen somewhat this year with the return of Jamal Murray.
The best player on the best team in the league is usually a safe bet to win the MVP It’s hard to ignore Jokić as he leads the Nuggets at the top of the Western Conference. Jokić’s worth is undeniable, but it’s one of the reasons Denver comes first is that it has complementary players around it like Murray and Aaron Gordon. Where would the Mavs be without Dončić? He is their entire offense. Dončić ranks second in the NBA in terms of usage percentage with 38.4 just behind Giannis Antetokounmpo (38.8) and is Third in assist percentage (45.6) behind Jokić (47.2) and Tyrese Haliburton (48.1). Basically, Dončić either scores or sets up most of Dallas’ goals. That is the definition of value for your team.
The Mavs are currently sixth in the West, 27-25, but it’s so packed midway through the conference that they’re just 3.5 games ahead of the Lakers in 13th and 2.5 games behind the Kings in third place. If they want to hold onto that playoff position, it’s up to Dončić to lead the way— and when he does, he has a great case for the MVP.
The best of sports illustrated
A total of 44 current or former NFL players aged 50 or younger have died since the beginning of 2021, according to Pro Football Reference. While professional footballers tend to live longer than the general population (thanks in part to their fitness, wealth and access to world-class healthcare), they are more prone than their peers in other sports to suffering from neurodegenerative or cardiovascular diseases. And more likely to die by suicide.
Top 5…
… things I saw last night:
5. Stephen Curry’s layup to pass Wilt Chamberlain on the Warriors’ all-time made field goals list.
4. Brent Davis’ winner of the game for Chicago State against The Citadel.
3. The Jets’ two goals within 21 seconds to take the lead against the Blues in the third period.
2. Deon Perry’s half pitch shot at the end of the first half for Loyola (Md.).
1. Texas Tech men’s basketball team comeback win over Iowa State. The Red Raiders were 23 behind before winning in overtime.
SIQ
At 5’9″, Isaiah Thomas is the shortest player in NBA history to have a triple-double. Who held the record before him? (Today is the anniversary of this player’s triple-double game.)
- Muggsy Bogues
- Nate Robinson
- Damon Stoudamire
- Michael Adams
Yesterday’s SIQ: The Rams defeated the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV when Tennessee’s Kevin Dyson was tackled just outside the goal line after time was up. Which St. Louis defender made the game-winning stop?
- Mike Jones
- London Fletcher
- Keith Lyle
- Grant Wistrom
Answer: Mike Jones. The play is one of the most famous in Super Bowl history. After Kurt Warner’s 73-yard touchdown on Isaac Bruce broke a tie at 16 just before the two-minute caution, Steve McNair led the Titans across the field to give them one final shot to the tie. Tennessee had the ball at the St. Louis 10-yard line with five seconds on the clock. The Titans had just burned their last time out. The stakes were clear: go to the end zone and score an extra point to level the game, or fall short and lose.
McNair found Kevin Dyson on a fast incline and Dyson had an open path to the end zone. But Jones pulled him down from behind, a meter from the goal line.
“It seemed like slow motion,” Jones said afterwards. “I couldn’t see McNair throw the ball, but I could feel it.”
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