Does Luka Dončić Deserve More MVP Consideration? (And How the Answer Reflects Lakers Chances...)

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

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4.4 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 17 March 2026

⏱️ 20 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

So the Lakers are playing much better, having moved up to a third seed and with a win Wednesday in Houston will secure tiebreakers against all three of the teams closest to them in the Western Conference standings (Minnesota, Denver and the Rockets). So with that team success, is it time for Luka Dončić to be more than a passing consideration in the MVP conversation? His numbers on the year are great, and have been particularly good since the All-Star break. Including on the defensive side of things! So should Luka be right up there with the Nikola Jokic's of the world? What happens if the Lakers keep winning? And more importantly, is THIS Luka the one that can carry the Lakers deeper into the postseason than people expect? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTaxThis year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. ZocDocStop putting off those doctor appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/LOCKEDONNBA to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. WayfairGet last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less.Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. DoorDashFrom tipoff to overtime, stay in your bag and order on DoorDash.Get snacks, drinks, gear — whatever gets you through the season — delivered right to your door.DoorDash. In your bag all season long. RobinhoodYou’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood.Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm. BetterhelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. 5-Hour ENERGYHave your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon. IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuelFanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost.Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Transcript

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0:00.0	Lukadanshich is playing MVP caliber basketball.
0:03.5	We'll tell you why he deserves some MVP consideration.
0:07.6	Next.
0:14.9	You are Locked-on Lakers.
0:17.4	Your daily Los Angeles Lakers podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day.
0:26.9	Thanks to everybody for making Lockdown Lakers, your first listen to every day, Monday through Friday, no matter how, and sometimes on weekends and holidays and now more than Wednesday.
0:34.9	No matter how you're getting the podcast, you might be doing it through Spotify or Apple, maybe YouTube, but no matter how you're doing it, your partner making the Lockdown Podcast Network, the number one sports podcast network, anywhere you're going to find. I'm Brian Kemeniske with Andy Kemincki. We've covered the Lakers for nearly 20 years with ESPN, the LA Times, and the Athletic. And in that time, Andy, we've certainly seen a lot of really good basketball players.
0:58.2	Not many of them better, though, than Luca Donchage, particularly given how well he is playing of late.
1:05.1	Monday, of course, named Western Conference Player of the Week, which inspired him to go out and score 36 points against the
1:13.1	Houston Rockets in a big 192 win for the Lakers.
1:18.5	These guys are motivated by awards and that he just, Luca clearly wants as many player
1:23.5	of the week awards as he can pile up.
1:25.6	Yeah, this was the 18th of his career, third of this season.
1:31.8	In March, Luca is averaging, assuming the numbers I saw were up to date, including
1:39.2	the win over Houston, he is averaging 33, 34.3 points per game on 49, 3977 splits plus nine rebounds, nearly eight assists a game, two steals and a block.
1:55.3	So that, my friends, I don't know what Slovenian for a heater is, but that's what you call it in English.
2:01.5	It's a heater.
2:02.5	If you're a casual, just so you know, that's good.
2:06.5	Yeah.
2:06.9	There's not really good.
2:07.7	He has been absolutely crushing it.
2:11.3	Not coincidentally, this is during a period where the Lakers have looked their absolute best,
	...

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