Former NBA Star Sends Strong Message to Luka Doncic

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has struggled with his shot

Joey Linn | May 15, 2024

May 13, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) walks back up the court / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has not been playing his best basketball this postseason. While the overall per game numbers still look great for Doncic, the efficiency has been well below what he typically puts up, which certainly could be impacted by his health status. While nobody knows for sure just how much Doncic is impacted by his knee injury, it is reasonable to assume there are at least some health factors holding Doncic back right now.

While the Mavericks star may not be 100% healthy, former NBA star and Memphis Grizzlies guard Gilbert Arenas believes he is not putting himself in the best position to succeed with his shot selection. Doncic has been very efficient around basket in this postseason, which is why Arenas wants to see him alter his shot selection a bit.

“When you play the mid-range game and the lay-up game, they can't guard you at all," Arenas said. "You're sitting here taking step-back hard threes... Okay, some of them go in, but for the most of the night they're not.”

“When you play the mid-range game and the lay-up game, they can't guard you at ALL. You're sitting here taking step-back hard threes...OK, some of them go in, but for the most of the night they're NOT!”

Gilbert says Luka is making scoring harder on himself pic.twitter.com/ZPDVdPGSKC
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) May 14, 2024

The Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder are currently tied 2-2 in their Western Conference Semi-Finals series, and will play a pivotal Game 5 on Wednesday night. The winner of this game will be just one win away from the Western Conference Finals, while the loser will face elimination in Game 6.

Lakers Player Slams Dillon Brooks for LeBron James Antics

Major Development in Ja Morant's Friend's Criminal Charges Revealed

Boston Celtics Star Gets Honest About Relationship With Marcus Smart

Published May 15, 2024

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

Related Articles