Is Luka Doncic the next LeBron James or the next Dirk Nowitzki?

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 15: Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki talks with Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks after the Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90 in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona, Is Luka Doncic the next LeBron James or the next Dirk Nowitzki?. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors just put the Dallas Mavericks in a stranglehold. With their 109-100 victory in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors took a 3-0 series lead.

No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 series hole, and while Luka Magic is definitely a real thing, it’s hard to imagine the youngster pulling off that feat.

But even if Doncic’s playoff run does come to an end here, it was still an impressive one. However, it warrants this line of thinking: Is Doncic the next LeBron James or the next Dirk Nowitzki?

Is Luka Doncic the next LeBron James or the next Dirk Nowitzki?

Now, this isn’t to say that Doncic is going to mimic those two stars’ playstyles, as he plays differently than both of them. He does, however, have the chance to replicate their playoff successes and failures.

For the first stretch of James’ career, he was carrying a subpar Cleveland Cavaliers team. He managed to bring them to the NBA Finals in his fourth season (this is Doncic’s fourth year) before losing to the San Antonio Spurs.

He wasn’t able to get a ring in Cleveland (the first time around), so after his initial extension, James left to join the Miami Heat, where he won two titles in four years.

James then went back to Cleveland, won a ring there, traveled to the Los Angeles Lakers, and won another ring there. Four championships with three different teams.

Meanwhile, Nowitzki was a Maverick for life. He stayed in Dallas his entire career as co-stars rotated in and out. Nowitzki eventually captured a long-awaited title in 2011, but that was his only moment of glory.

So, with Doncic being as talented as he is, which path will he choose? Most people assume he will follow in Nowitzki’s footsteps, but Doncic is his own person.

Will he choose to remain a Maverick for life, eventually bringing a title to Dallas, potentially at the expense of only winning one? Or, will he depart from the Mavs in favor of a better shot at winning it all?

Only time will tell…