It is not unprecedented for a celebrity to struggle to win his first NBA championship. It is intertwined with NBA history.

It is not unprecedented for a celebrity to struggle to win his first NBA championship. It is intertwined with NBA history.

When LeBron James faced San Antonio in his first NBA Finals in 2007, he was 22 years old and shot 35.6% from the field and 20% from 3-point range. After struggling to recover over the next three seasons, Dallas exploited his flaws and took away his strengths when he returned for his second Finals appearance in 2011.

Before making a breakthrough and earning his first championship seven years into his career, Michael Jordan had lost two straight conference finals, three straight first-round games, and one second-round game in six different seasons.

After losing to Boston in the Finals during his second season, Hakeem Olajuwon did not return to win a title for eight years. Before taking home the championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West was defeated in seven straight Finals.

Of course, the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the recent winners, also had to overcome several playoff disappointments before taking home the trophy.

Their losses in the playoffs and the lessons they learned from them improved them as players and helped them realise the value of every possession.

After Boston’s championship-clinching Game 5 victory on Monday, it is now Dallas’ star Luka Doncic’s turn to learn, develop, and return a stronger player in the hopes that he may one day lead the Mavericks to a championship.

Doncic remarked, “They are a great team,” as the Celtics rejoiced on the field following Game 5. They have been together for a long time and have experienced everything, so all we can do is observe how mature and skilled they are as players. They have some really good players. That gives us something to learn. We have to battle next season.

In the NBA Finals, Luka Doncic observes his shot during Game 5.

In the NBA Finals, Luka Doncic observes his shot during Game 5.

When asked how he felt, Doncic responded, “Sad we lost.”

Kyrie Irving from the previous season and P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford were added by the Mavs during the trade deadline this year. They were at their best in the Western Conference playoffs, defeating three teams with 50 wins.

Doncic stated, “I would say we have been together for five months.” “I am proud of all the guys who participated, the coaches, and the people who supported them. We obviously did not make it to the Finals, but we had an incredible season, and I am proud of each and every one of them.

Like Celtics president Brad Stevens did, Mavs general manager Nico Harrison must keep rearranging the roster until he finds the ideal group of players.

In the Finals, 25-year-old Doncic had both good and bad moments. Doncic averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.6 steals, and 47.2% shooting from the field during the series. However, he also had a 24.4% 3-point shooting percentage, a 58.6% free throw percentage, and 4.6 turnovers a game.

Doncic found the game challenging on both ends due to the Celtics’ adaptability on both the offensive and defensive sides. Boston caused him to waste energy on the defensive end, put many defenders on him, and avoided having to double-team him as frequently as other teams had to.

They were very hands-on. Their defenders are excellent,” Doncic remarked. They make a fantastic team. They act in that manner.

After Game 3, when he fouled out with 4:12 left in a three-point game, finished 11-for-27 from the field and 1 for-7 on threes, frequently complained about the calling, and struggled defensively, he received the most criticism.

However, he bounced back with his greatest game in Game 4 to ensure the Mavs did not lose. He finished with five rebounds, five assists, and 29 points. His 28 points on 12-for-25 shooting (2-for-9 on 3s) plus 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals and seven turnovers were not enough in Game 5.

“There’s going to be bumps and bruises along the way. So, for him at the age of 25 to get to the Finals, to be playing his basketball at the level that he’s playing is, now it’s just being consistent,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said.

“Again, always being in the talk for MVP because when you have one of the best players in the world, you should be always fighting for a championship.”

Throughout the playoffs, the Mavs listed Doncic on the injury report with multiple injuries – first a sprained right knee and left ankle soreness and then he sustained a bruised chest that required pain-killing shots in the Finals.

“It doesn’t matter if I was hurt, how much was I hurt. I was out there. I tried to play, but I didn’t do enough,” Doncic said.

Doncic said he will decide soon on playing for Slovenia as it attempts to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics but said, “I’m just trying to get a little bit healthier.”

“There’s going to be bumps and bruises along the way. So, for him at the age of 25 to get to the Finals, to be playing his basketball at the level that he’s playing is, now it’s just being consistent,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said.

“Again, always being in the talk for MVP because when you have one of the best players in the world, you should be always fighting for a championship.”

Throughout the playoffs, the Mavs listed Doncic on the injury report with multiple injuries – first a sprained right knee and left ankle soreness and then he sustained a bruised chest that required pain-killing shots in the Finals.

“It doesn’t matter if I was hurt, how much was I hurt. I was out there. I tried to play, but I didn’t do enough,” Doncic said.

Doncic said he will decide soon on playing for Slovenia as it attempts to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics but said, “I’m just trying to get a little bit healthier.”