Rick Carlisle: Luka Doncic 'Doesn't Have His Rhythm Yet' After Mavs' Loss
Dec 30, 2020
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) battles Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington (25) for space during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic scored only 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting in a 118-99 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.
After the game, Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle said "it's clear that Luka doesn't have his rhythm yet."
Carlisle provided other comments about Doncic and the Mavs, per Dorothy J. Gentry of The Athletic:
"It's clear Luka doesn't have his rhythm yet."
"Everyone is working through something. It was a bad night for everybody."
"We got our asses kicked by a team that played hard tonight."
The Mavs have lost three of their first four games this season. They are playing without big man Kristaps Porzingis, who underwent surgery in October to fix a lateral meniscus injury in his right knee.
Carlisle said that he expected Porzingis, who averaged 20.4 points and 9.5 rebounds last year, to return at some point in January.
Doncic's numbers have noticeably dipped from last year to this season. He's averaging 23.8 points on 43.8 percent shooting, 6.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds this year as opposed to 28.8 points on 46.3 percent shooting, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists last season.
A truncated offseason and Porzingis' absence could be playing a part in Doncic's early-season struggles. Doncic also spoke about getting into shape right now.
Luka Doncic: "I just think my legs are really tired, but it’s not an excuse." He has acknowledged that he's playing his way into shape after the short offseason.
The Mavericks have played only four games, so Doncic has plenty of time to regain his 2019-20 form.
Doncic and the Mavs have already showed what they're capable of at their best, as they beat the Los Angeles Clippers 124-73 on Sunday. Doncic had a near triple-double with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes during that beatdown.
The Mavs will look to get back on track Friday against the Miami Heat.
Luka Doncic Says Mavs 'Showed Who We Are' in 51-Point Blowout Win vs. Clippers
Dec 27, 2020
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates after scoring and drawing a foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
It's usually unwise to put too much stock in the result of a single NBA regular-season matchup, but it was also difficult to ignore Sunday's game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers.
After all, Dallas won 124-73 in a showdown between Western Conference contenders.
"I think we showed who we are," Luka Doncictold reporters of the 51-point win. "We've got to keep going like that. We've got to play defense, and that's our strategy from now on."
It should be noted Clippers star Kawhi Leonard did not play, although George didn't do much to make up for his absence with 4-of-13 shooting from the field and 0-of-6 shooting from three-point range in 24 minutes.
"It's not that big of a deal," George told reporters. "We got our butts whipped today, but it's one day. We wasn't ready today. We wasn't prepared. That's on me. So, we'll be ready for the next game."
Doncic was a major reason the Clippers struggled, stuffing the stat sheet with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
It was a much-needed effort for the Mavericks, who lost their first two games of the season and didn't look like the presumed Western Conference contender who would take the next step after pushing the Clippers to six games in the first round of last season's playoffs.
Kristaps Porzingis is yet to play this season, although Josh Richardson (21 points) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (18 points) provided enough secondary support for Doncic. Holding the Clippers to 73 with the defense that Doncic highlighted surely helped as well.
Next up for the Mavericks is a stretch against three Eastern Conference teams in the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls. If they play defense like they did Sunday, they will move up the standings.
As for the Clippers, they will look to bounce back against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Top Reaction from LeBron, Lakers' Showdown with Luka Doncic, Mavs on Christmas
Dec 26, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) goes up for a layup against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers picked up a quality win over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in a high-scoring, entertaining clash on Christmas Day.
Davis netted a team-best 28 points, while LeBron tallied 22 points and 10 assists in the 138-115 victory.
One bigger story, though, is the Lakers' top offseason additions providing a major jolt offensively. Montrezl Harrell scored 22 on 10-of-13 shooting, and Dennis Schroder notched 18 points and six assists. That kind of performance is exactly why Los Angeles will be so difficult to beat in 2020-21.
And it caught Davis' attention, too.
When asked his first thoughts of Harrell and Schroder producing at that level, per Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen & Roll, Davis offered a humorous—yet true—response.
"Damn, we got a really good team," he said.
The most impressive takeaway of the matchup is how Los Angeles thoroughly owned the glass.
Not only did the Lakers outrebound Dallas 53-27, they finished with an incredible 35-0 advantage on second-chance points. According to ESPN Stats & Info (h/t Tim MacMahon), the 35-point edge is the biggest differential in the last 25 seasons.
"You can't win a game where the second-chance points are 35-0," Doncic said, per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press. "It's as simple as that. We box out, we win the game."
Though his point is well-received, perhaps it's not quite so straightforward. Los Angeles had such a deep group of scorers Friday evening that it might not have mattered anyway.
Dallas simply had no answers for the Lakers' scoring attack.
Even behind Davis (28), LeBron (22), Harrell (22) and Schroder (18), Kyle Kuzma chipped in 13 points. Marcus Morris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope combined for five threes, as well.
"We have the ability to where we can have four, maybe even five guys that can score in the 20s any given night," James said afterward, according to Beacham. "As long as we defend and we're efficient, it's a beautiful thing to see."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOoG0ID0LS0
But as Los Angeles celebrated a dominant win, the Mavericks were left thinking about a poor showing.
Although they played without Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas coach Rick Carlisle redirected the focus to the team's physicality. While all five starters had 10-plus points—led by Doncic's 27—the Mavs grabbed only three offensive rebounds.
"[Porzingis is] going to help us a lot, there's no question about it," Carlisle said, per Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News. "But we've got to get tougher."
Dallas (0-2) returns to the court Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers (2-0), and the Lakers (1-1) will host the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0) later that evening.
Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR
Luka Doncic Discusses Mavericks' 'Mentality', 'Toughness' After Loss to Lakers
Dec 26, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) goes to the basket while defended by Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
The Dallas Mavericks left Staples Center on Friday with a 138-115 defeat to the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers, and Mavs star guard Luka Doncic called out the effort for what it was.
"I think it's everything about mentality and toughness," Doncictold reporters. "It's going to mental. If somebody's rebounding like that, you've just got to box them out no matter what. We've got to work on it, and we've just got to get better."
Dallas was flat-out owned by L.A.'s defense. The Lakers out-rebounded the the Mavs 53-27 and outscored them 35-0 in second-chance points.
According to Lakers PR (h/t Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News), L.A. was the first team since 1996-97 to score 35-plus second-chance points and hold its opponent to zero.
Kristaps Porzingis' eventual return from his knee injury should help stabilize a Dallas offense in desperate need of some balance, but an 0-2 start to the 2020-21 campaign is surely not what the expected Western Conference contenders were hoping for.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis Shine as Lakers Rout Luka Doncic, Mavs on Christmas
Dec 25, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) goes up for a layup against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
The Los Angeles Lakers rebounded from their opening-night loss to beat the Dallas Mavericks 138-115 on Christmas Day at Staples Center.
When the NBA pitted Los Angeles against Dallas on the biggest day of the regular season, many viewed it as the league highlighting the game's brightest talent in Luka Doncic against one of the greatest ever in LeBron James. The on-court battle between the two has so far been pretty one-sided.
James is now 7-1 against Doncic in head-to-head meetings, finishing with a double-double Friday.
The Lakers were in control for much of the game and pulled away in the fourth quarter, dropping 39 points in the final frame to turn this into a rout. Los Angeles shot 56 percent from the field and 19-of-39 from beyond the arc.
Anthony Davis, PF, Lakers: 28 points (10/16 FG; 3/5 3PT), eight rebounds, five assists, two steals
Dennis Schroder, PG, Lakers: 18 points (7/11 FG; 1/3 3PT), six assists, two rebounds
Luka Doncic, SF, Mavericks: 27 points (9/19 FG; 2/5 3PT), seven assists, four rebounds, one block
Josh Richardson, SG, Mavericks: 17 points (6/12 FG; 2/5 3PT), two rebounds, two assists, two steals
Schroder Driving Up Value
The Lakers would probably be thrilled if this were the extent of James' and Anthony Davis' output on a nightly basis. The two stars filled out the box score but didn't have to overexert themselves and carry the team.
The King with an early #NBAXmas gift for The Brow 🎁
When James had the ball in half-court sets, the Lakers occasionally switched him onto Doncic, or Doncic outright welcomed the challenge. While that set up the individual battle fans wanted to see, the results were fairly predictable.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported before the game Dennis Schroder declined a two-year, $33.4 million extension from the Lakers but that negotiations over a new deal "are expected to pick up again as soon as mid-February."
Schroder, who's in the last year of his contract, made a pretty good decision based on Friday's game. The 27-year-old guard provided the kind of offensive spark Los Angeles didn't necessarily get from Rajon Rondo. Schroder's defense was a pleasant surprise too.
I withdraw any and all complaints I've made about Dennis Schroder starting games. He's been sensational on both ends. I don't care when he plays, just play him a lot.
The Lakers' other big offseason addition delivered. Montrezl Harrell had 22 points and seven rebounds off the bench, showcasing the kind of depth the Mavericks lack.
Defense Undoes Mavs
The Mavericks finished 18th in defensive rating (111.2 points allowed per 100 possessions) in 2019-20, per NBA.com. Making a deep playoff run isn't easy when you boast a below-average defense, and Dallas' first two games are slightly concerning in that regard.
Head coach Rick Carlisle's squad gave up 106 points on 48.1 percent shooting to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, and Friday's game was largely the same story.
A big problem for the Mavs is how much their best player struggles on that end of the floor.
So, you’re telling me the Mavs defense isn’t fixed yet?
Doncic is electric on offense, and he helped ensure Dallas wasn't out of it for too long when the Lakers built a big lead prior the final stretch of the fourth quarter.
The 21-year-old is supremely talented, which means he faces a higher level of scrutiny and carries a big bull's-eye on his back. James likely savored the opportunity to attack another MVP candidate.
This loss was a reminder of how Doncic either needs to become a better defender, or Dallas needs to get him a better complementary star in order to take the next step up in the NBA's hierarchy.
What's Next?
The Mavericks stay in L.A. for their next game. They play the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves later that night at 10 p.m. ET.
Lakers' Frank Vogel Praises Mavs' Luka Doncic: 'He Has so Many Veteran Tricks'
Dec 25, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) guards Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Speaking to reporters before the game, Vogel said the 21-year-old is already playing beyond his years.
"I can't believe how far advanced he is for his age," Vogel admitted. "He has so many veteran tricks."
After averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game last season, Doncic began his 2020-21 campaign with a 32-point, eight-round outing against the Phoenix Suns in the season opener Wednesday.
It's a development that should worry anyone who has to guard him. That begins with Lakers star LeBron James on Friday—who already has no trouble acknowledging Doncic's greatness.
ESPN's Rachel Nichols reported onSportsCenter that James continues to watch Doncic with amazement.
"One of my favorite player in the NBA," Nichols said James told her.
The 18-year veteran praised Doncic's team-first approach, in particular, noting how "he gets his guys involved."
James should feel that way, considering Nichols explained how Doncic developed his game in part from watching James throughout the years.
Now the two will get a chance to go head-to-head on the NBA's biggest regular-season stage.
If Doncic continues his meteoric rise, playing on December 25 could become a Christmas tradition in Dallas.
Mark Cuban Talks Importance of Social Media for Luka Doncic, LeBron, NBA Stars
Dec 25, 2020
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban looks on as the Mavericks play the Denver Nuggets during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 113-97. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Mavericks governor Mark Cuban joined Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman on ESPN's First Take and discussed the importance of social media for the NBA and its stars (5:20 mark).
His comments came in response to a question from Smith suggesting the NBA is in a better place if a major-market team like the Los Angeles Lakers is the defending champion and in the spotlight.
Cuban believes the interest in the league is based more off the social media interactions its players can have with fans than where certain high-profile teams are located:
"The players are becoming more key to awareness and interest from younger kids, Gen Z, than even the teams are. So, we've got to pay special attention to more about how strong is LeBron's social media game—which is very strong—and how strong is Luka's social media game, which is even stronger than LeBron's, OK, I said it."
In addition to giving his team's star player a shout-out for his social media use, Cuban touched on some of the ways the league can attract more fans when television ratings numbers are under the spotlight.
Cuban said television isn't the only way the league draws fans in, which is notable because he has sparred with people such as Sen. Ted Cruz about ratings in the past.
We know the main reason we'll all be cemented to our couches on Christmas Day: The NBA is back! Even if the layoff between the conclusion of the 2020 Finals and the start of this ...
Luka Doncic Says It's 'Special' to Play vs. LeBron; Talks MVP, NBA Title Goals
Dec 24, 2020
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic advances the ball up court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
In advance of that game, Mavs superstar Luka Doncic sat down with ESPN's Rachel Nichols on The Jump and spoke about his MVP and NBA title goals in addition to facing Lakers guard/forward LeBron James.
Nichols brought up the fact that oddsmakers have Doncic as the favorite to win the MVP this year and asked whether he thought he could earn the award.
"I think I can do it, but that's not my first goal, far from it," the third-year point guard said.
"It's great to see that. My goal is always to win a championship. I think that's not just mine, it's the whole organization's goal, and hopefully someday it will be achieved."
Doncic earned All-NBA First Team honors after posting 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. The Mavs also improved from 14th to seventh in the Western Conference, reaching the playoffs and even winning a pair of first-round games against the Los Angeles Clippers.
This year has naturally brought even greater individual and team expectations for Doncic and the Mavs, although James and the defending champion Lakers stand in the way of their title hopes.
Doncic also spoke about facing James, reminiscing about the first time the two played each other on Oct. 31, 2018.
"Obviously, I remember that whole first game was very spacial, it's something I'll remember a long time," Doncic said.
"Now it's way different than the first game. First game against him, against the Lakers, so it's obviously different, but I think now it's like still special, but you know you're just...different situation, you're just trying to win."
Doncic posted 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds in a 114-113 road loss against the Lakers during his first meeting with James.
The Mavs and Lakers will be looking to get their first wins of the 2020-21 season Friday. Dallas opened with a 106-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns despite 32 points and eight rebounds from Doncic, and the Lakers fell to the L.A. Clippers 116-109 on a night when James finished with 22 points, five rebounds and five dimes.
ABC will televise the Mavs-Lakers matchup, which will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Lakers' LeBron James Praises Mavs' Luka Doncic as 'An Exceptional Talent'
Dec 24, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) guards Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James said he's looking forward to the Christmas Day clash with Dallas Mavericks emerging MVP candidate Luka Doncic, whom he called an "exceptional talent."
James discussed the matchup Thursday after both teams opened the 2020-21 season with losses:
LeBron James on going head to head with "exceptional talent" Luka Doncic on Christmas Day: pic.twitter.com/Ct9LLUZh3v
The four-time NBA champion added he holds an "open-door policy" for the league's younger players if they want to seek advice or guidance, but he's impressed with how far Doncic has already come.
"He's handling being a professional in this league phenomenally," James told reporters.
Doncic opened his third NBA season with 32 points, eight rebounds and five assists Wednesday night, but it wasn't enough as the Mavs fell 106-102 to the Phoenix Suns.
James tallied 22 points, five boards and five dimes against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday before leaving the 116-109 loss with an ankle injury.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcJp6sOgoj8
Both L.A. and Dallas are expected to contend in the Western Conference, so they'll be eager to score a statement victory Friday for their first win of the campaign.
The Christmas tipoff at Staples Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
