The Foul That Sealed Game 3: Luka Doncic's Defensive Woes
With 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 3, Luka Doncic fouled out during a critical moment for the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic, attempting to play defense, tried to slide in front of Jaylen Brown to draw a charge. However, he did not get set in time, leading to a defensive foul. After a replay review, the call was upheld, and Doncic was out of the game with the Mavericks trailing by three. Without their star player, the Mavericks ultimately lost the game 106-99, putting the Boston Celtics ahead with a 3-0 series lead.
Struggles on Defense
Doncic's defensive effort in this postseason has been troubling. 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 significant liabilities. While Doncic has excelled offensively against Jayson Tatum, his defensive shortcomings have given Boston ample opportunities to exploit.
Defensive commitment has often been lacking for Doncic. He has been waiting to play offense instead of committing to being a two-way player. This lack of effort was laughable during the NBA Finals, bringing into focus his stereotyped deficiencies that have long been overlooked by his ardent supporters.
Impact on Team Performance
Doncic’s lackluster defense has forced his teammates into difficult positions, often making them play four against five. This imbalance has allowed the Celtics to live in the paint and generate open three-pointers. The Mavericks’ defensive reputation has crumbled, revealing itself to be a mirage.
Adding to the defensive struggles, Kyrie Irving is also not a strong defender. This combination has complicated matters for Dallas, making any defensive scheme increasingly difficult to execute. Doncic's defensive lapses have been particularly glaring, coming at critical moments when team cohesion is vital.
Serious Comparisons and Criticisms
Doncic’s defensive efforts have been compared to those of James Harden, who has also been criticized for his defense. In several plays, Doncic was not even close to guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser and displayed a shocking lack of situational awareness. He repeatedly failed to be in position to help his teammates when Brown rejected screens, and his bumbling shuffles before giving up entirely on plays have been a frequent sight.
When caught out of place, multiple Mavericks had to converge on Brown due to Doncic’s breakdowns. In transition defense, Doncic often stayed on the ground, complaining to referees instead of hustling back, allowing the Celtics to walk into open three-pointers.
However, it's important to note that the Mavericks' defensive gap can't solely be blamed on Doncic. The entire team has struggled to keep up with the Celtics, undermining their overall performance. Yet, Doncic’s defensive ineptitude remains a glaring issue that cannot be overlooked, especially in high-stakes playoff games.
Offense vs. Defense
Doncic is undeniably a gifted offensive player, continually putting up impressive numbers against elite defenders like Tatum. However, his defensive inefficiencies in this series have been a significant factor. No one is asking Doncic to become an elite defender overnight, but a modest improvement in his defensive game would benefit his team immensely.
Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have managed to become fine defenders despite their heavy offensive responsibilities. In contrast, Trae Young and Damian Lillard have remained defensive liabilities. Doncic has the potential to surpass both Young and Lillard, but his current defensive effort is impossible to ignore. It has been a significant factor in the Mavericks' struggles this series, casting a shadow on his otherwise stellar performance.
The End of the Road?
The Mavericks now face an almost insurmountable 3-0 deficit in the series. Game 3 exposed not just Doncic’s defensive struggles, but those of the entire team. The Mavericks’ problems are deep-rooted and more complex than any single player’s performance. Nonetheless, Doncic’s lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor in this series and a stark reminder that basketball is a two-way game.
As the series continues, all eyes will be on Doncic. Whether he can rise to the challenge defensively will not only impact the Mavericks' chances but also shape his legacy as a complete player.