Luka Doncic looking to make history as a star in NBA Finals

When the NBA Finals tips off Thursday night, Luka Doncic will attempt to accomplish something never done before.

No, it’s not upsetting the heavily favored Celtics (-225). An upset of those proportions has already occurred three times before in Finals history.

It’s leading a team to a title, while doing so much on the offensive end.

NBA championships have typically been won by teams, not one-player dominant offenses. And despite having a co-pilot in Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks have leaned heavily on Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer, throughout the season.

Doncic’s season ranks 20th all-time in usage rate at 35.98. This means that 36 percent of the Mavericks’ possessions when Doncic is on the floor, end with him — whether that’s a shot attempt, turnover, or free throws drawn. 

Looking back at the NBA’s highest usage rates of all time, they lack an NBA champion.

Let’s run through them:

No. 1: Russell Westbrook (2016-2017): Lost in the first round

No. 2: James Harden (2018-2019): Lost in the second round

No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo (2022-2023): Lost in the first round

No. 4: Kobe Bryant (2005-2006): Lost in the first round

No. 5: Russell Westbrook (2014-2015): Missed the playoffs

No. 6: Michael Jordan (1986-1987): Lost in the first round

No. 7: Allen Iverson (2001-2002): Lost in the first round

No. 8: Luka Doncic (2022-2023): Missed the playoffs

No. 9: Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019-2020): Lost in the second round

No. 10: Luka Doncic (2021-2022): Lost in the first round

No. 11: Joel Embiid (2021-2022): Lost in the second round

No. 12: Joel Embiid (2022-2023): Lost in the second round

No. 13: Luka Doncic (2019-2020): Lost in the first round

No. 14: DeMarcus Cousins (2016-2017): Traded mid-season, both teams missed the playoffs

No. 15: James Harden (2019-2020): Lost in the second round

No. 16: Dwayne Wade (2008-2009): Lost in the first round

No. 17: Jermaine O’Neal (2004-2005): Lost in the second round

No. 18: James Harden (2017-2018): Lost in the Western Conference Finals

No. 19: Michael Jordan (2001-2002): Missed the playoffs

No. 20: Luka Doncic (2023-2024): TBD

Looking at the top-20 usage rates, only one player prior to Doncic this season even reached the conference finals. Doncic is the first to make it to the NBA Finals. 

Furthermore, Doncic is just the eighth player in the top 20 to even advance past the second round of the playoffs. 

The player with the highest usage rate to win the NBA championship was Michael Jordan in 1993, a campaign that ranks 44th all-time. Prior to Doncic, Allen Iverson had the highest usage rate for any player to reach the NBA Finals, when he did so in 2001. That season ranks 22nd all-time in usage rate.

Typically, it’s easier to stop one player as opposed to a whole team. But Doncic is an exception. Even the top-ranked defense couldn’t slow him down as he averaged 32.4 points per game last round vs. Minnesota. 

Now, it’ll be Boston’s turn to attempt to slow down one of the best players in the world. If the Mavericks pull off the upset, it’ll make for a historic season for Doncic, who is attempting to do more than any other star before him.