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Luka Doncic's ball-dominance isn't the issue some believe it to be
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic's ball-dominance isn't the issue some believe it to be

Luka Doncic is among the best players in the NBA. His unique skillset separates him from other forwards in the league. 

He's an elite shot-creator, playmaker, and ball-handler. Few defenders can put the clamps on Doncic for more than a few possessions at a time. 

However, for Doncic to be at his best, he needs the ball in his hands. Ball-dominant players sometimes struggle to mesh with their teammates due to the disparity in usage.

However, Grant Williams, who joined the Mavericks via sign-and-trade this past summer, appears to be happy with his new superstar teammate.

“Luka kind of sets you up where you don’t have to do much—just eat a bag of popcorn, knock down some open shots, and move on,” Williams told The Ringer's Rob Mahoney.

Not every player who has partnered with Doncic has succeeded. Williams himself has struggled in his first year with the Mavericks since arriving from the Boston Celtics. Kristaps Porzingis, who is now with the Celtics, failed to excel when paired with Doncic. Dallas' heliocentric offense makes it difficult for others to thrive, considering the singularity that is Doncic. 

Still, players can often overlook their limited usage when the team is winning. Although, resentment is likely to fester when things begin to go wrong. Interestingly, Kyrie Irving, another ball-dominant star, has found a way to co-exist with Doncic this season. Yet, the elite guard pairing isn't translating into dominant wins. 

There's no denying that Doncic is an exceptional talent. But questions remain about his ability to lead a team to a championship with this style of play. 

As such, Mavericks fans will likely be pleased to hear that players are enjoying their time alongside Doncic. Now they hope that he will be able to lead them toward a deep postseason run.

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