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Kerr says Doncic 'sure looks like an All-Star'

Gene Sweeney Jr. / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic has taken the league by storm this season, earning praise from peers and coaches around the league.

The latest came from Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who said Saturday that Doncic is "already an All-Star" in his eyes. And before Sunday's tip-off against the Mavericks, Kerr elaborated on that comment.

"I probably threw that out there without doing my homework," Kerr told reporters, including Mark Medina of The Mercury News. "I do have a vote for (All-Star) reserves and I think what I meant to say is he sure looks like an All-Star. Whether he makes it or not, he's an All-Star. Certain guys just stand out. You see what they do. You see what they mean to the game. And if he doesn't make it this year, he's gonna make it soon enough."

The 19-year-old Doncic is currently second among Western Conference frontcourt players in All-Star voting, behind only LeBron James.

Fans account for 50 percent of the vote, while current players and a media panel each account for 25 percent. The two guards and three frontcourt players with the best scores from each conference will start in the All-Star Game, while the reserves are voted on by the head coaches.

Kerr added that Doncic's skill set and confidence at the age of 19 are an impressive combination.

"Nearly 40 games under his belt and he looks like he's been out here for 10 years," the coach said. "That's extremely rare. That kind of swagger. That kind of just confidence in his game, especially coming from overseas (and) living in the United States for the first time. All that stuff. You throw it all together, you can see his poise and maturity."

Doncic is averaging 20 points, 6.7 boards, and five assists through 41 games this season.

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