**Official Luka Doncic Thread**

[KhalDrogo]

As soon as the ESPN clown crew all picked Phoenix, I knew the Mavs had a good chance.

[Ferg1945]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

As soon as the ESPN clown crew all picked Phoenix, I knew the Mavs had a good chance.

A series doesn't start until the Home team loses. Phoenix just has to win at home and they advance to the WCF.

[KhalDrogo]

It’s so quiet. Guess everyone is spending time with their mom.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

It’s so quiet. Guess everyone is spending time with their mom.

It's standard protocol for player threads around here. Detractors for the most part, leave when things are going good, attack when things are not.

[bloodwings19]

Are we getting Reggie Miller again?!?!?!? I think he is bankrolled by the Suns. I hope the Mavs win series so he can witness talent supersizes weight.

[Onepocketj]

So happy the Mavs didn't just roll over after that 4th quarter in game 2. Luka was gassed and they had zero energy

[coltsnsox07]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

It’s so quiet. Guess everyone is spending time with their mom.

Don't mention moms in the Luka thread, the autograph conspiracies are still out there.

[RedMike]

Series is tied.. great.. but we got to win a road game if we want to move on.

LETS GO.

[RogerGodahell]

I was traveling today hard to watch the game but glad they got it done. Great win.

It's the best out of the 3 now. Anything is possible. They need to ride the momentum.

[RogerGodahell]

It was raining 3's today in the first half huh? Nice contribution from everyone 6 players in double digits.

[RogerGodahell]

Doncic has 655 points through 20 playoff games. Only 2 other players have more, Wilt Chamberlain (705) and Michael Jordan (718).

[Grizzkid12]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

It’s so quiet. Guess everyone is spending time with their mom.

It is quiet

Weird to not see you complaining about 12 players that aren't Luka, the coach & management of the Mavs. This is strange!

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Grizzkid12

It is quiet

Weird to not see you complaining about 12 players that aren't Luka, the coach & management of the Mavs. This is strange!

Missed your input during the game Grizz! Did you enjoy it at least?

[Grizzkid12]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Missed your input during the game Grizz! Did you enjoy it at least?

I watched it on mute as I was on the phone for most of it

Seemed like the Mavs dominated and wasn't a particularly exciting game

The BOS/MIL & GS/MEM series have had some far more entertaining games

That's about all I've got for ya

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Grizzkid12

I watched it on mute as I was on the phone for most of it

Seemed like the Mavs dominated and wasn't a particularly exciting game

The BOS/MIL & GS/MEM series have had some far more entertaining games

That's about all I've got for ya

Damn. Busy day for you. Maybe you’ll join us Tuesday.

[Grizzkid12]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Damn. Busy day for you. Maybe you’ll join us Tuesday.

Mother’s Day must be big for you bc this is like the nicest I’ve ever seen you

I may just be able to root for the Mavs in G5 in good conscience

[drobfan8]

I'm from Canada and they say I'm slow eh.

Gulp. Did someone really list a Galactic for $15 Canadian?

Who got it?

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

Obviously WAY better last night. Luka played off of the ball a lot, which was a great idea. I don't know the numbers (post them if you know), but you can see how lowering his usage is addition by subtraction. He took almost no bad shots and all of his offense was in the flow of the game, which if you're a Luka fan, you should want to see more of. The Mavs looked a lot more fluid last night and while Luka didn't shoot that well (man, his FT were off), it didn't matter, they were swinging the ball around and finding the open man. It doesn't hurt that Brunson played great.

One negative: He needs to stop complaining about EVERYTHING. It's not going to help him with the referees and it drains energy.

I posted this after game 3 and almost everything here holds true. (Although in game 4, he shot better from the FT line but way worse from 3).

Unsurprisingly, when Doncic doesn't go nuclear, the Mavs have better team success. I think taking a chunk of Luka's usage and giving it to Brunson has been the difference maker so far. As has been Luka's defense. Like I mentioned a few days ago:

I do think with elite-level conditioning and training, he could give himself better body positioning in one-on-one situations where he would give the help defender more time to get over.

He's been way more active defensively and much improved on his defensive positioning. I forget who it was, but one of the Suns bench players was able to get Luka in an open area one-on-one in the 4th Q and had success. Dallas needs to make sure they're tighter as a group on D.

If I'm the Suns, I'm pondering two things:

1) We threw Biyombo out there and when isolated on Luka (whether he was the primary defender or switch on the PnR), had success. Luka saw him and wanted to go one-on-one (sensing the advantage), but Biyombo held his own. He's very long and athletic while also being bigger than Luka. Can we somehow get him on the floor more often without losing the scoring? It's something to consider.

2) Should we just let Luka get his and shift our focus to Brunson and DFS? We've seen that if Luka's usage is too high, he tires out and is a liability defensively in the second half, plus starts shooting bad shots when gassed. If I'm Monty, I have to recognize that the Mavs just beat us twice when the role players have shined. Maybe not collapse so hard when Luka drives? It'll be fasinating to see his adjustment.

[TSonn]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

I'm from Canada and they say I'm slow eh.

Gulp. Did someone really list a Galactic for $15 Canadian?

Who got it?

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

Whhhhhaaaaat. I just bought the PSA 9 for $170 a few weeks ago. Great deal for someone but I wouldn't be surprised if the seller cancels.

I missed on all my Luka snipes last night - first time that's happened in a while.

[KhalDrogo]

BS says the Suns need to just let Luka have his and shut everyone else down. Probably the best plan if Luka’s going to go 1-10 from three and the rest of the team makes 19 of them.

[TSonn]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

BS says the Suns need to just let Luka have his and shut everyone else down. Probably the best plan if Luka’s going to go 1-10 from three and the rest of the team makes 19 of them.

I thought they were already giving Luka the Lebron vs 2009 Orlando treatment? lol

I'm excited to see what Luka looks like when PHX lets him get his.

Was surprised to hear Bill say he thinks the winner of PHX/DAL represents the West - he thinks the GPII injury is a big blow to GS.

[RogerGodahell]

They can't stop him from doing what he wants either way if they wanted to. PHO may have hunted him on defense but he's also hunted the entire Suns team. A couple bad shooting games just means he's due for a big one. A balanced attack is better but I'm good with whatever results in a win

[RogerGodahell]

Originally Posted by TSonn

I thought they were already giving Luka the Lebron vs 2009 Orlando treatment? lol

I'm excited to see what Luka looks like when PHX lets him get his.

Yeah let him drive to the rim for 30 uncontested layups I'd like to see how that goes. I don't think they can resist collapsing 2-3 defenders on him. They think they've got him until they don't.

[TSonn]

Role players always play better at home. I don't see a whole lot of difference in offensive strategy games 3/4 vs games 1/2 - just that role players hit their shots more and had more confidence. After watching yesterday's game, Luka could've had 35+ points (like games 1 and 2) and the team would've had the exact same stats.

Hopefully either that continues or CP3 continues to look 37 years old the next couple games.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by TSonn

Whhhhhaaaaat. I just bought the PSA 9 for $170 a few weeks ago. Great deal for someone but I wouldn't be surprised if the seller cancels.

I missed on all my Luka snipes last night - first time that's happened in a while.

Ah you won that PSA 9.

Cool set. I'm up to 4 Luka Galactics now.

You're right, the seller surely figures it out.