Lakers Coach Redick: Doncic Should Be MVP This Year

Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin writes that Lakers coach JJ Redick stated if Doncic and the Lakers can finish the regular season with their current hot form, then Doncic should be elected MVP this season.

Redick said before yesterday's Lakers home game against the Washington Wizards: "If we can finish the season maintaining this performance, and he continues to play like this—for me, he is the MVP."

Redick cited Doncic's early-season performance and his recent dominance to support his view—since February 28, Doncic averaged 36.5 points, 49.3% shooting, 39% three-point shooting, plus 8.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 2.3 steals, leading the Lakers to a 14-2 record.

Redick said: "I think when we started 15-4, you could argue he was MVP. Actually, in two of the three phases this season, he has been MVP."

Redick also pointed out that since January 18, the Lakers achieved a 24-10 record before the game against the Wizards. During this period, the Lakers' wins ranked second in the league, and the team climbed to third in the West, further proving Doncic's impact.

Redick said: "He is the engine driving all our wins. Of course, many players excel in their roles, but he is the one steering."

Redick also talked about Doncic's commitment to physical management as the season progressed. "His physical condition now is probably the best since his first two years in the league."

Now 27 years old, Doncic has been in MVP contention most of his career but has not won the award yet.

In the 2023-24 season he ranked third (Jokic won); 2022-23 season he ranked eighth (Embiid won); 2021-22 season he ranked fifth (Jokic won); 2020-21 season he ranked sixth (Jokic won); 2019-20 season he ranked fourth (Giannis won).

Doncic received his 16th technical foul in Sunday's 116-99 win over the Nets, resulting in a one-game suspension. After that game, when asked about his MVP race, he expressed confusion about not getting more recognition.

Doncic replied in Spanish: "The better I play, the lower I rank on the list. So, I don't know what else I can do."

Earlier this month, after scoring 60 points against the Heat, when asked about it, he did not campaign for himself.

“It's you, the media (who vote),” Doncic said. “It's not up to me.”

Instead, he mostly lets his performance speak. Averaging 33.7 points, a career-high, leads the league; he has 15 40+ point games and 43 30+ point games this season, both ranking first in the NBA; additionally, he averages 8.2 assists, ranking third in the league.

Although Doncic is not known as a defensive stalwart throughout his career, he averages 7.8 rebounds, ranking third among all guards; averages 1.6 steals, ranking sixth in the NBA; and has 14 total charges drawn, ranking seventh in the league.

Currently, Doncic ranks fourth on the MVP ladder, behind Wembanyama, Alexander, and Jokic. The Lakers have 7 regular-season games left. Do you think Doncic has a chance to win his first MVP trophy?