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Luka Doncic · With an individual bar already set higher than nearly any 24-year-old in the NBA’s existence, Luka Dončić would’ve been reasonably defended from criticism, should 2022-23’s historic pace have been difficult to replicate. Instead, through his trademark array of stepbacks, pivots, and nifty footwork, the Dallas Mavericks superstar concluded 2023-24 with nearly every hurdle cleared. Familiar enough with the term “historic” to call it a relative, Dončić again made pleasantries, registering a first-of-its-kind statline that read as follows: 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Through refined touch, the already-unguardable All-Star also raised his percentages from the 3-point line (38.2) and charity stripe (78.6) to career-bests. A nightly threat to turn a must-win game into a personal trick-shot extravaganza, Dončić, donning a signature smile and a third-place Most Valuable Player finish to show for his efforts, produced a season that aged like wine. From the four-triples-in-three-minutes takeover against Brooklyn to the 73-point masterpiece in Atlanta — fourth-most in league history — to his warrior-like trek to the 2024 NBA Finals, Dončić’s season left behind only one nightmarish question for opposing defenders to contemplate: No. 77 can’t possibly get even better, can he? · State of Mint