DALLAS (105.3 the Fan) - Coming off of a breakout sophomore season in Dallas, Mavs superstar Luka Doncic entered the 2020-2021 season as the betting favorite to win the NBA's MVP award.
Through three games, however, Luka's team is 1-2, including two frustrating losses to the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, in which the team looked unprepared for the renewed season.
Dallas was able to rebound on Sunday afternoon, setting a shot clock era NBA record with a 50-point lead over the Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers, in a game where Dallas eventually won by 51 points.
In that game, Doncic finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, with just two turnovers in 26 minutes of action.
Speaking with Shan Shariff and Mike Fisher on 105.3 the Fan on Tuesday morning, Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle gushed on Doncic, but was also adamant that the 21-year-old still has many areas in which he can improve as both a player, and a team leader.
"It's ongoing, but as we move forward, I see more maturity," Carlisle said in the interview. "There is talk about his conditioning and those kinds of things... He's learning that greatness is something that is a year-round proposition. You've got to really bust your tail to keep yourself in the best form possible all year long."
"He's figuring all of that stuff out, and he's getting closer and closer to getting his legs. But this is quite a different year. I think that goes without saying, and the challenges are very high."
You can listen Shan and Fish's full interview with Carlisle below.