Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Why 'Wonderboy' Luka Doncic should be favored over this player for MVP

By Danny Goebel | Last updated 12/28/22

Over the course of 47 magical minutes Tuesday, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic delivered devastating heartbreak to the New York Knicks with a 60-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist performance — the first 60-20-10 game in NBA history.

This jaw-dropping performance in Dallas' 126-121 OT win is one of a bevy that justifies the superstar's case for early season MVP.

Per OddsChecker, Doncic is No. 2 in MVP odds, behind Boston's Jayson Tatum.

Much-deserved MVP chants filled American Airlines Center in Dallas long before Doncic sent the game to overtime in miraculous fashion. The 23-year-old's stoic reaction to his game-tying shot let Mavericks fans know that, for him, this was just another day at the office.

WHAT IS EVEN GOING ON?!?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/vIqiIHMXmU
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) December 28, 2022

In his fifth season, the Slovenian shooting guard is averaging 33.6 points and 8.8 assists, good for second and fourth in the league, respectively.

Tatum is averaging 31.1 points (fifth in the league) and 4.1 assists (52nd in the league).

Doncic is out-shooting, out-assisting and out-rebounding (8.7 to 8.1) the odds-on favorite to win the MVP, and he's doing it with better efficiency (per Basketball-Reference.com).

Some might argue that the MVP Award is about winning. The Mavs (19-16) are sixth in the Western Conference while Tatum's Celtics are atop the East at 25-10.

Even if it is about winning, Doncic trumps Tatum in one statistical category beyond team wins: win shares. With 6.5 win shares to Tatum's 5.2, Doncic is playing a larger role in the Mavericks' success than Tatum is with Boston's.

After Tuesday's epic game, "Wonderboy" enjoyed a "recovery beer." He probably didn't have to pay.

Luka: “I’m tired as hell. I need a recovery beer.” pic.twitter.com/b9rDLzxiZY
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 28, 2022

Despite Vegas' odds, the statistics clearly point to Doncic as MVP over Tatum. The season has a long way to go, but no one should be surprised if the "Wonderboy" is hoisting an MVP Trophy at the end of it.

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