Spurs' Gregg Popovich Speaks on How Mavs' Luka Doncic 'Destroys' Defenses
DALLAS — Before the Dallas Mavericks faced off against the San Antonio Spurs, iconic NBA coach Gregg Popovich highlighted the threat Luka Doncic poses to a defense given his rare combination of attributes. Doncic went on to provide his point, recording 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists through three quarters in the 144-119 victory.
Popovich highlighted how challenging it is to contain Doncic despite him not having high-flying athleticism, highlighting the incredible basketball IQ and perhaps control of his movements that make him such dangerous.
"He just destroys whatever defense is thrown at him," Popovich said of Doncic. "And I think he must be underestimated as an athlete. You know, you look at him and he looks like he ate a couple too many donuts, sometimes. You don't think of him as an athlete athlete. But talk about, beyond basketball IQ, just a feel for the game, making decisions at exactly the right moment."
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Doncic's precise pace and footwork on his drives often prevent him from being placed in a tough situation deep in the paint without a plan to complete the play, were highlighted by Popovich. The control Doncic has is something any coach would like to teach and instill into a player, but he does it in a way that cannot be taught.
"You teach your players not to play in a crowd, for instance. He doesn't even get close to that because he's already two iterations earlier. He did what he was supposed to do, and it's his IQ and his total kinetic view of the court. He knows where everybody is all the time. He understands all those spatial relationships, and he's not jumping out of the gym, he's not blowing by you, but as I said, he uses that body and understands how to put people in positions they cannot handle.
Each time the Spurs prepare to face the Mavs, Popovich admitted how impressed he is with what he sees from Doncic's performances, particularly with the consistency that he provides the Mavs. The four-time All-NBA First-Team guard tends to thrive against San Antonio, averaging 29.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.5 rebounds in 17 performances against the in-state rival.
"Every time I watch him play, I'm more amazed at what he gets done because he does it so consistently," Popovich said. "Guys can do what he does now and then, but he does it every night. He's a special young man."
Doncic averaged 32.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 9.1 assists through 26 games entering Saturday's game.
