The Demise of the Mavericks: Doncic's Defensive Woes
In a heart-wrenching Game 3, Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, marking a pivotal moment as the Dallas Mavericks were attempting a comeback from a 21-point deficit. Trying to play defense, Doncic slid in front of Jaylen Brown to draw a charge but failed to get set in time. The whistle blew, the play went to replay, and the call was upheld. Consequently, Doncic was ejected, leaving his team trailing by three points.
Despite the Mavericks' valiant efforts, they ultimately fell short, losing 106-99. With this defeat, the Boston Celtics now hold a commanding 3-0 series lead. The call that led to Doncic’s ejection was a close one and could have gone either way, but it was upheld, much to the disappointment of Mavericks fans.
Doncic's Defensive Struggles
Doncic fouling out while defending is ironic given his defensive struggles throughout the series. His defense has been a liability for Dallas, reminiscent of the defensive shortcomings often attributed to James Harden. In Game 2, Doncic was “blown by” 13 times, the most by any defender in the last ten postseasons.
Issues with slow feet and weak lateral movement have been particularly detrimental. Despite his offensive prowess against Jayson Tatum, Doncic has not matched this effort on the defensive end. Instead, he has been waiting to play offense, neglecting his defensive responsibilities.
The defensive effort, or lack thereof, from Doncic in the NBA Finals has been almost laughable. His supporters may argue about his sternum injury, but the reality is that Doncic has never been a good defender. Any perceived improvements have been overstated as his deficiencies have caused the Mavericks to play virtually four against five on defense.
The Celtics have capitalized on these shortcomings, constantly living in the paint and generating open three-pointers. The Mavericks’ defensive woes are further compounded by Kyrie Irving’s subpar defense, creating a challenging situation for Dallas.
Poor Defensive Displays
There are several instances from Game 3 that highlight Doncic's defensive shortcomings. He was not close to guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser, instead pointing aimlessly at the opposite side of the court. When Brown rejected a screen multiple times, Doncic failed to be in position to help, committing bumbling shuffles before giving up entirely. Such lapses forced multiple Mavericks to converge on Brown, exposing their defense further.
Additionally, Doncic's transition defense was abysmal. He often remained on the ground, complaining to referees while the Celtics walked into open three-pointers. It’s evident that the Mavericks are outclassed by the Celtics, and the defensive gap cannot be blamed solely on Doncic as nobody on the Mavericks seems capable of keeping up with Boston.
A Defensive Mirage
The reputation of the Mavericks as a defensive team has been revealed as a mere mirage. While Doncic is undeniably a gifted offensive player, his defensive ineptitude in this series is glaring. He's not being asked to become an elite defender, just to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic, despite their significant offensive responsibilities, have evolved into competent defenders over time. Conversely, Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been labeled as defensive liabilities, yet Doncic, who is undoubtedly better than both, continues to struggle.
Dallas’ hopes in this series appear bleak as their defensive struggles continue to hinder their efforts. Doncic's lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor in this series, making it virtually impossible for the Mavericks to stage a comeback. The series, for all intents and purposes, seems effectively over for Dallas.
Critics and fans alike have voiced their frustrations. "Many thanks to @CelticsUnite18," one commenter sarcastically noted. Another remarked, "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." The consensus is clear: Doncic's defensive performance has been underwhelming, to say the least. One critic didn't mince words, saying, "You can go from a 10% to a 30% in chemistry class, but you're still a failing student," driving home the point that Doncic’s slight improvements are far from adequate.
As the Mavericks face what seems to be an insurmountable deficit, the focus remains on Doncic’s glaring defensive shortcomings. For Dallas to turn things around, Doncic will need to channel the same effort he shows offensively into his defensive game. Until then, the Mavericks' season appears destined to end in disappointment.