The Collapse of Luka Doncic and the Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks faced a crushing defeat in Game 3, with Luka Doncic fouling out with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter during a critical moment of the game. The Mavericks, who were staging an impressive comeback from a 21-point deficit, found themselves trailing by three points when Doncic attempted to take a charge against Jaylen Brown. Unfortunately for Dallas, Doncic didn’t get set in time. The call was reviewed and upheld, confirming Doncic’s sixth foul and removing him from the game. The Mavericks ultimately lost 106-99, giving the Boston Celtics a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Doncic's Defensive Struggles
While Doncic's offensive prowess is undeniable, his defensive performance in this series has been nothing short of problematic. In Game 2, Doncic was "blown by" 13 times, the most by any single defender in the last 10 postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been detrimental to the Mavericks' defense.
Despite his offensive excellence against Jayson Tatum, Doncic has failed to deliver on the defensive end. Critics argue that Doncic has been more focused on playing offense rather than committing to his defensive assignments. His defensive effort in these Finals has been largely laughable, and it is clear his sternum injury cannot be solely blamed for his poor performance. Over the years, any supposed improvements in his defense have been dramatized by his supporters. Now, his deficiencies are causing the Mavericks to essentially play with a man down on defense.
Comparisons and Ineffectiveness
Doncic’s defensive ineptitude has sparked comparisons to James Harden’s notorious lapses on that end of the floor. At times, Doncic wasn’t even close to guarding Boston's sharpshooter Sam Hauser, pointing at the opposite side of the court in a shocking display of unawareness. His inability to be in the right position meant that Mavericks’ players often had to leave their assignments to cover for his lapses, leading to easy scoring opportunities for the Celtics.
On several occasions, Doncic failed in transition defense, staying on the ground to complain to the referees while the Celtics walked into open 3-pointers. Such lack of effort speaks to the broader issue of the Mavericks' defensive woes. The team has been outclassed by a wide margin, and while Doncic’s shortcomings are glaring, they are not the sole reason for the defensive gap. Unfortunately, nobody on the Mavericks can seem to keep up with the Celtics, exposing Dallas’ reputation as a defensive team as nothing more than a mirage.
The Path Forward
It is critical to remember that Doncic is undeniably a gifted offensive player, arguably better than other defensive liabilities like Trae Young and Damian Lillard. However, his defensive performance, particularly in the playoffs, is impossible to overlook. He is not being asked to become an elite defender, but modest improvement is necessary. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have managed to turn into competent defenders despite carrying heavy offensive responsibilities.
For Doncic, the key is effort. There are players who play defense and those who wait to play offense, and currently, Doncic falls into the latter category. His lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor in the Mavericks’ struggles in this series. As the series stands, the Mavericks face an insurmountable 3-0 deficit to the Celtics, and it is effectively over for them.
Conclusion: A Team Effort
The blame cannot be placed solely on Doncic. The Mavericks as a whole have failed to match up against the Celtics, who have been living in the paint and generating open 3-pointers with ease. Kyrie Irving’s own defensive weaknesses only complicate matters further for Dallas. The rest of the Mavericks need to step up as well, but Doncic’s defensive improvements could have a significant impact.
The journey ahead for Doncic will involve addressing his defensive deficiencies and making a commitment to that side of the court. As the Mavericks regroup and plan for the future, they will need to focus on turning their defensive reputation into a reality rather than a myth. For now, the series is effectively over, but the lessons from this experience could shape Doncic into a more complete player and the Mavericks into a more formidable team.