BY DALTON Illustration by TRIGG, ISAIAH DEANDA DELGADO Sports News, analysis, and more about the Dallas Mavericks UPDATED 2:35 PM DECEMBER 21, 2023 00:02 01:33 Claps Tua Tagovailoa Retaliating Against Critics Sports Illustrated’s Maven nationwide The 2023–24 season is off to a great start for Dallas Mavericks standout Luka Doncic, who is averaging 32.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists while shooting a career-high 37.6 percent from three point range through 27 games. Dallas has a 16-10 record thanks to his play, even though the team has multiple critical ailments. Mavs veteran forward Markieff Morris expressed his curiosity last week, asking “why [Luka isn’t] No. 1 in the running for MVP.” This week, we spoke with forward Justin Jackson, a former Maverick and current member of the Texas Legends, at the G League Winter Showcase in Orlando. He shared his thoughts on Doncic’s MVP campaign. USA TODAY Sports’ Kevin Jairaj According to Jackson, “he’s among the best in the NBA and the world,” DallasBasketball.com reported. “He just keeps getting better and better, and he makes everything easier for everybody else.” Given his youth, the possibilities are endless for him. In response to a question regarding Doncic’s current standing as the MVP front-runner, Jackson said, “100%… I think he’s a really nice man. In addition to being a terrific guy and young, which makes him seem like a huge kid, he also happens to be a fantastic mix for a superstar.The Mavs have a good player in him because he improves everyone around him both on and off the court. Jackson played 94 games in Dallas from 2019 to 20 before moving on to the Milwaukee Bucks and earning an NBA title in 2020–21. As a result, he has firsthand experience of what it’s like to play with Doncic. As the G League affiliate of the Mavs, Jackson is now playing for the Legends in Frisco, Texas, a short distance from the Mavs. Jackson is averaging 20.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 44.1 percent from outside the arc and 49.8 percent overall.GET MORE NEWS HERE