Statements and Observations: Luka Doncic's Defensive Struggles
In a crucial Game 3, Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, a pivotal moment for the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks, mounting a comeback from being down by 21 points, saw their star player exit the game while trailing by three points. Doncic, in an attempt to slide in front of Jaylen Brown for a charge, didn’t get set in time. The whistle blew, the play went to replay, and the call was upheld. The Mavericks eventually lost the game 106-99, giving the Boston Celtics a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Was it a Close Call?
The call was indeed very close. It wouldn’t have been surprising if it had been overturned. This incident added another layer of irony to Doncic's performance in the series, where his defensive struggles have been glaring. Despite fouling out while defending, Doncic's overall defensive effort has been far from commendable. In Game 2, Doncic was "blown by" 13 times, marking the most "blown by" situations by a single defender in the last decade of playoff basketball.
Doncic's Defensive Woes
Doncic's defensive liabilities have become a significant issue for the Mavericks. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been detrimental, leading to frequent breakdowns in defensive plays. Despite excelling offensively against Jayson Tatum, Doncic has not shown the same commitment on the defensive end. He has often been seen waiting to play offense instead of committing to defense. His defensive effort, or lack thereof, in the NBA Finals has been laughable.
Some might argue Doncic's sternum injury as a reason for his poor performance, but this excuse holds little weight. Doncic has never been renowned for his defense, and any improvements cited by his supporters seem dramatized. In this series, Doncic has been virtually a non-entity on the defensive end, forcing the Mavericks to effectively play four against five. This deficiency has allowed the Celtics to dominate the paint and generate open 3s at will.
Team Defensive Issues
It's not just Doncic who is struggling defensively. Kyrie Irving is also not known for his defensive prowess, further complicating matters for Dallas. Comparisons have been made between Doncic’s defensive efforts and the notoriously poor defense of James Harden. In critical moments, Doncic has been caught out of position, pointing in the wrong direction, failing to help, and generally displaying a lack of defensive awareness. His inefficiencies have caused teammates to scramble and cover for his lapses, leading to further breakdowns and easy scores for Boston.
In transition defense, Doncic’s lack of effort has been notably harmful. He has been seen staying on the ground and complaining to referees while the Celtics quickly capitalized with open 3-pointers. The Mavericks have been outclassed by a wide margin, and the defensive gap can't be blamed solely on Doncic—nobody on the team has been able to keep up with the Celtics.
The Mirage of a Defensive Team
The Mavericks’ reputation as a defensive team has been shattered in this series. Despite being undeniably gifted offensively, Doncic's defensive ineptitude has been glaring. What’s required of him is not to become an elite defender but to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have evolved into fine defenders despite their offensive burdens. In contrast, players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard have remained defensive liabilities. Doncic, however, is better than both Young and Lillard, making his lack of defensive effort especially frustrating.
Impact on the Series
Doncic's lackluster defense has been a significant factor in the Mavericks' struggles in this series. With the Celtics holding a commanding 3-0 lead, the series is effectively over for Dallas. Quotes from fans and pundits reflect the frustration surrounding Doncic's performance:
“Many thanks to @CelticsUnite18.”
“Honestly, look at that defense. He is roaming around out there like the kid you put in right field in Little League who just picks daisies all game.”
“It is one thing to be outmatched defensively.”
“Whatever Doncic is doing, it isn't even in the same universe as trying.”
“There are players who play defense and players who wait to play offense, and Doncic is a disinterested portrait of the latter.”
“It's ridiculous.”
“I don't want to hear a word about this sternum injury.”
“You can go from a 10% to a 30% in chemistry class, but you're still a failing student.”
“Luka Doncic is better than both those guys.”
In summary, while Doncic’s offensive skills are undeniable, his lack of defensive effort is impossible to overlook, particularly in the playoffs. The Mavericks have paid the price for his deficiencies, and as the series winds down, reflection on these issues will be crucial for their future endeavors.