In this year’s NBA Playoffs, Luka Doncic took his game up another level.

The 21-year old Slovenian point guard was basically unstoppable for the Dallas Mavericks in their NBA playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, even Doncic’s brilliance was not enough to overcome Kawhi Leonard and company as the franchise crashed out in the first round of the post-season after tying the series at 2-2.

That wasn’t on Doncic, he carried the team and if it wasn’t clear before, the Mavs have their franchise player for the next 15 years.

Doncic already great

The Mavericks now must further build around Doncic. That’s a no-brainer..

Doncic broke several records for a player in his first playoff campaign. The second year player scored 42 points in his post-season debut – the most by any player in the history of the league on their playoff bow. He then produced an incredible performance in game four to defeat the Clippers on the buzzer, becoming the youngest player to notch a game-winning score at the death.

Along with that fact, he joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only other man with a 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists in a playoff game. By the end of the series, Doncic had racked up consecutive triple-doubles, joining Magic Johnson and LeBron James as the only three players to have multiple tripled-doubles in the playoffs at the age of 21 or under.

It’s fair to say that Doncic made quite the impact in his first taste of the post-season. However, he will watch the NBA Finals from home. Leonard and the Clippers proved a valuable point that winning the NBA Championship is a lot more than having one talented player on the court. Doc Rivers’ men are a solid bet for a team to win the title and there are several bookmakers available if you’re looking how to bet on the NBA Finals to back them to triumph in Florida. Leonard is the reigning Finals MVP and Doncic could be on a similar path in the future, although he will need support around him.

Start with adding another superstar

Scoring, passing and rebounding, as much as Doncic was dominant, he won’t be able to do that without talent, three-and-D guys, shooters and complimentary players around him. Before all that, the Mavs must look into pairing Luka with another superstar.

The good news is that Dallas already has Kristaps Porziņģis, the 7-3 “unicorn” could be the perfect pairing alongside Doncic. Porzingis can shoot the three and is a great player in the pick and roll; the 25 year old Latvian is certainly a player that the team can lean on when Doncic is out. Having another player that can command the opponent’s defensive focus for parts of the game giving Doncic more room to work.

That’s if he can remain healthy and injury-free. That’s a gamble the Mavs must consider.

When it comes to having a big two (or three) Leonard is a telling example. The 29-year-old was the up and coming prospect at the San Antonio Spurs and took the league by surprise when he dominated the NBA Finals in 2014, getting the better of LeBron and the Miami Heat. He was not the leading light as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker were the outstanding players on that Spurs’ outfit. Leonard was able to grow into his role and produce exceptional defensive performances to win Finals MVP.

When Leonard was the sole star, it proved to be more difficult for him to thrive as in the case of other legends. Michael Jordan needed Scottie Pippen with the Chicago Bulls, Shaq needed Kobe, and LeBron James and Dwyane Wade needed one another when both were with the Miami Heat.

Last season at the Toronto Raptors, Pascal Siakam came to the fore in the support role, easing the burden on Leonard, although he shined to defeat the Golden State Warriors to win the crown and Finals MVP.

Future is extremely bright for Doncic and Dallas

Doncic’s performances against the Clippers were made all the more impressive considering that Porzingis was sidelined due to injury. Had Porzingis been healthy then the duo might well have bested the Clippers. It gives hope for the Mavericks for the future, although more work is required by the front office to surround their main man with talent. Doncic has proved that he has the character and mettle to raise his game under pressure – to a level matched only by the true greats of the sport.

If Dallas get the recruitment nailed over the next few years – championships and an era of dominance in the Western Conference could follow.

The good news? Doncic is just starting.