OK, so it’s probably too soon for another statue in front of American Airlines Center, right?
That being the case, maybe we just use 60 blue lights to illuminate the number “60” on the side of the building.
Or get a floor-to-roof photo of the free-throw follow shot that will go down in Maverick history.
You know, something subtle.
What Luka Dončić did Tuesday in the 126-121 overtime win over New York is worthy of some sort of tribute.
Or maybe we just appreciate the moment with a snapshot in our mind and the knowledge that all young superstars achieve greatness with a combination of winning and standing the test of time.
They also need signature moments.
Dončić made inroads toward all three legend requirements on Tuesday.
And he even endeared himself further with MFFLs. When he was done making history, doing an interview on the court with Bally’s Sports Southwest, Luka spouted out: “I need a recovery beer.”
No doubt that sent local brewers are rushing to rename or remake something to honor the feat of Tuesday night.
Maybe 60 hoppy pints?
Dončić had 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists, not to mention the overtime-forcing three-point play that came in reverse fashion – one free throw, a purposely missed second free throw and an in-one-motion follow shot after the rebound bounced his way.
What a week to be a Maverick.
Luka’s magic followed the Dirk Nowitzki statue unveiling, a satisfying win over the Los Angeles Lakers and a mere 50-point showing by Luka at Houston. Oh, and Luka was the NBA’s player of the week.
Life is good. And the bridge from the past in Dirk to the future in Luka seems to be fully built by now.
There was no way to deny that Tuesday’s performance and finish was sheer magic. If you had tickets and left with a minute to go and the Mavericks down by nine points . . . well, you blew it.
“Luka doesn’t quit,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He keeps playing and his teammates didn’t quit. Everyone had a part in making a big play down the stretch.”
And it made up for a game that, for more than 47 minutes, the Mavericks did not deserve to win.
Did they get a little lucky? Sure.
But when they look at the wins in the standings, they don’t ask how. Just how many.
“His competitiveness is at a very high level,” Kidd said of Luka. “The Knicks were playing harder. They were up 10.”
But remember all those games that the Mavericks frittered away earlier this season when they surrendered big leads?
Turns out they were learning along the way.
“We’ve been in this position early in the season when you talk about giving up a lead or losing a game like this,” Kidd said. “He (Dončić) never was discouraged that the game was over.”
Oh, there are concerns. Luka played 47 of a possible 53 minutes and played all but 12 seconds of the 29 minutes in the second half and overtime.
He was clearly exhausted afterward but Kidd’s not overly worried.
“I don’t think he gets tired when it comes to competing,” he said. “Now when it comes to practice . . .”
Luka was certain that he’d never scored 60 points in a game at any level in his life.
It’s certainly rare in the NBA. Only 79 times has a player reached 60 points in a game.
There are 31 players (out of more than 4,500 who have been in the league). On the 60 list?
Wilt Chamberlain (who only did it 32 times), Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson, Elgin Baylor, Devin Booker, Michael Jordan, Pete Maravich, Rick Barry, George Gervin, Jerry West, Joe Fulks, Steph Curry, Carmelo Anthony, Damian Lillard, James Harden, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bradley Beal, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson, Gilbert Arenas, Allen Iverson, Tom Chambers, Larry Bird, Bernard King.
And now, Luka.
“It’s incredible to be in those kind of comparisons with those guys in any stats,” he said. “It’s amazing to me.”
And amazing to us, too, Luka.
Twitter: @ESefko
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