Luka Dončić preparing to play in his fifth NBA All-Star game

INDIANAPOLIS — Luka Dončić will be making his fifth NBA All-Star appearance Sunday at 7 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in just his sixth season in the league. And for the fifth time during Saturday’s Media Day, the Dallas Mavericks’ superstar point guard heard practically every question from the ridiculous to the sublime.

Dončić is one of those generational players who can turn a team’s fortunes for many years to come. So far this season, he leads the NBA in scoring (34.2), is second in three-pointers made per game (3.9), third in assists (9.5), eighth in steals (1.4) and 20^th in rebounds (8.8).

In other words, Dončić checks all the boxes and should be squarely in the middle of any conversation regarding who will win this season’s coveted Most Valuable Player award. One thing’s for sure, coaches have had a lot of restless nights wondering what defensive schemes they need to draw up in order to slow down the 6-7, 230-pound one-man wrecking crew.

“None of us have the answer to how he continuously just destroys whatever defense is thrown at him,” San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “I think he must be underestimated as an athlete. You look at him and he looks like he ate a couple too many donuts sometimes. You don’t think of him as an ‘athlete’ athlete.

“But talk about beyond basketball IQ, just a feel for the game, making decisions at exactly the right moment. You teach your players not to play in a crowd, for instance. Well, he doesn’t even get close to that because earlier he did what he was supposed to do.”

Popovich describes Dončić  as a deep thinker on the basketball court who is always two or three steps ahead of what the defensive player is attempting to accomplish.

“And it’s his IQ and his total kinetic view of the court,” Popovich said. “He knows where everybody is all the time (and) he understands all those spatial relationships.

“He’s not jumping out of the gym. He’s not blowing by you. But he uses that body and understands how to put (defensive) people in positions that they cannot handle.”

Ironically, Washington Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe has the same view of Dončić that Popovich has.

“It’s just the way he sees the game,” Keefe said. “He sees the pictures ahead of what everybody else sees. I’m from Boston, it reminds me a lot of Larry Bird growing up, because he sees the whole game, he sees everybody on the court.

“It’s like he’s got a snapshot before anybody else does. It’s very impressive.”

Here are the questions Doncic had to endure Saturday – not counting the ones in other languages – on Media Day.

Question: Name five all-time All-Stars from Europe?

Dončić: I don’t know. This is difficult. I would put (Nikola) Jokic.

Q: Is there too much offense in the NBA now? Too much scoring? Are the scores too high? Not enough defense?

Dončić: There’s plenty of defense. Trust me.

Q: If you could add one rule to the NBA, what would it be?

Dončić: Let me think. Ill get back to you.

Q: If you could play with any NBA legend, who would you pick?

Dončić: Michael Jordan.

Q: You’re the 2019 Rookie of the Year and you’re one of the best – if not the best – passers in the league right now. How often do you stop to think about the way you’ve impacted NBA history in such a short period of time?

Dončić: I just appreciate every day. Every game, every practice to me is fun. For me to do this as my job, it’s a dream. So, it’s always fun every day.

Q: Who’s the best player in the league right now?

Dončić: Come on with this question. Dereck Lively.

Q: (Dereck) Lively seemed to have a lot of fun yesterday. You guys were having a lot of fun today. What kind of energy has he brought to the team?

Dončić: Great. My favorite word – amazing. Really, just a great kid. He listens to everybody. He never complains. On the court he looks like he’s played 10 years already in this league. I’m really happy that he’s on our team.

Q: After what happened last season with the Dallas Mavericks, do you think that the target is to make the playoffs this year?

Dončić: Every year is big. Every year I want to win championships, so every year is the same goal. We just got to get through the last part of the season and win the division.

Q: Is there anything in particular you want to accomplish tomorrow (in the All-Star game)?

Dončić: Score some points.

Q: Do you expect it’ll be a competitive game tomorrow?

Dončić: I don’t know. Yes and no. I don’t know. Yes and no.

Q: Who is the easiest matchup in the NBA?

Dončić: Nobody.

Q: You’re shooting threes like they’re layups. What is the secret to becoming a great shooter like you?

Dončić: I’m definitely not a great shooter. I just improved a little bit from the other seasons. It’s repetition, getting shots up and trusting it.

Q: What did you improve compared to last season in your game?

Dončić: Shooting.

Q: I’m a young athlete and not that athletic, but I can score a little bit. What’s your advice you can give me for the road ahead?

Dončić: I’m not athletic, either. My advice is work hard and do what you do and have fun.

Q: What’s your All-Star experience been so far and what do you think about the city of Indianapolis?

Dončić: Good. I came in late because of the (snow) storm, so I didn’t see much. But I went to dinner. But so far it’s been great.

Q: If you could jersey swap with one NBA player in history who would it be?

Dončić: Michael Jordan.

Q: If you could watch one TV show for the rest of your life what would it be?

Dončić: I don’t know. I don’t watch many TV shows.

Q: If you have to pick something from LeBron (James’) game, what would you pick and why?

Dončić: Athleticism. Because I don’t have it.

Q: Are you surprised by your own greatness?

Dončić: I have a long way to go, so I just enjoy every moment.

Q: What are your thoughts on Tyrese Haliburton’s game? He’s getting his first All-Star star here in his hometown.

Dončić: Great. Amazing player. You can see all the things he’s improved. He’s the best assist (player) in the game – scoring and everything. He just raises the game at a different pace and a different IQ, so he’s amazing.

Q: Why do you think you’re not being discussed more in the MVP race?

Dončić: I have no idea. I don’t know. It’s the media. It’s not me.

Q: Do you think that maybe if you can score more in the All-Star game it might give your candidacy a nudge?

Dončić: I don’t think so. I don’t know. This is not my fault.

Q: What’s your favorite part about All-Star Weekend for yourself since you’ve experienced this numerous times?

Dončić: The game. The game is my favorite thing.

Q: What does your teenage self think about you now?

Dončić: He would be proud.

X: @DwainPrice