The NBA isn't often a place for compliments. Opponents will take compliments as a sign of weakness. That's the theory at least, and no player is exempt. That maxim certainly holds for rookies, who sometimes have a hard time garnering a compliment from their own teammates. And it's basically unheard of for European imports playing their initial bit of basketball in the United States to hear how well they're doing. (Ask Dirk Nowitzki).
That's what makes the Thunder's Paul George unique. He extolled rookie Luka Doncic even after his Thunder lost in Dallas, 105-103, on Sunday night.
George had a game-high 36 points, but Luka led Dallas with 26 points, including tripping PG-13 up on this hesitation dribble before the layup.
Doncic added six assists (vs. five turnovers), and a late Dennis Smith Jr. layup combined with another dreadful shooting night from Russell Westbrook (4-for-22, yikes!) to give the Mavs the slight edge at home.
Luka continues to make Phoenix, Sacramento and Atlanta look foolish for passing on him.
