Mavs Star Luka Doncic's Improved Defense Shouldn't Be Overlooked
As good as Luka Doncic was through his first five seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, where he racked up four All-NBA First Team selections, the 24-year-old keeps showing us that he can still take things up a few notches.
The Mavs are 32-23 and riding a six-game win streak heading into All-Star Weekend, and Doncic's MVP-caliber play has been one of the biggest reasons why his team was able to stay afloat while Kyrie Irving was out due to injuries. Through 47 games, he's averaging a career-high and league-leading 34.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists while shooting 49.2 percent overall and a career-high 37.5 percent from deep.
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As good as the offensive numbers are, though, Doncic's improvement on the defensive end of the floor has been a pleasant development for the Mavs this season. Doncic has always had the ability to be a factor on defense due to his underrated strength and anticipation, but in the past, there have been more lapses in concentration than there have been this season.
Not only is Doncic seventh in the league in steals per game (1.4), but he's also 18th in rebounds per game (8.8) with all 17 players ahead of him being centers or power forwards. Grabbing defensive rebounds and not allowing second opportunities for opponents helps a team's defense.
Doncic has played his best defense in the post, as he ranks No. 2 in post-up defense, per Synergy (25 play minimum). Nobody is going to vote for Doncic to be on an NBA All-Defensive Team this season, but if he keeps improving the way he has, and becomes more consistent with his defensive effort on a night-to-night basis, maybe that achievement won't be as far out of his reach in the future.
After taking in a much-needed All-Star break, Doncic and the Mavs will resume play against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday with a chance to not only draw even with them in the Western Conference standings, but also win the regular-season tiebreaker. Doncic’s elevated defensive effort, paired with Irving’s brilliance and the new additions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford give the Mavs a real chance of being a title contender.
Check back in with DallasBasketball.com throughout the weekend for All-Star Weekend coverage.
