(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Just about everyone has very serious opinions about Luka Doncic’s performance in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Most people agree that he was lacking on one end of the court and didn’t show nearly enough defensive skills during the devastating loss.
Speaking to Pat McAfee, via NBA on ESPN, Doncic’s former teammate JaVale McGee stood up for the Mavericks star.
“Everybody in the league knows Luka isn’t the best defensive player. But at the same time, no one cares about Luka’s defense because he’ll go and give you 50,” McGee said.
“Everybody in the league knows Luka isn’t the best defensive player. But at the same time, no one cares about Luka’s defense because he’ll go and give you 50.”@JaValeMcGee says Dallas needs to overcome Luka’s defensive struggles against Boston.
(: @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/Gl9nFmwrUj
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 13, 2024
He added that Doncic’s flaws are more glaring right now because he is playing against a team that has an incredibly strong defense.
Therefore, Doncic not showing up is even more damaging.
McGee pointed out that if Doncic isn’t playing with defense in mind, the game becomes 5-on-4 instead of 5-on-5 and that puts Dallas in a very bad position.
Again and again in Game 3, Doncic was coming up short and he was slow, unresponsive, and made some very big mistakes.
The defense he did try wasn’t executed well and it led to him earning six fouls and sitting out in the final moments of the game.
Doncic is an explosive offensive talent and easily one of the best shooters in the league, but a championship cannot be won on shooting alone.
This series proved that the Mavericks need a lot more than Doncic scoring a lot.
Game 3 cast a very harsh light on Doncic’s shortcomings and he is getting a lot of negative attention.
Now it’s time to see if he listens to the criticisms and adjusts his game in the future.
The post NBA Veteran Defends Luka Doncic From Harsh Criticism appeared first on The Cold Wire.