The Problem With “Stopping” Luka Doncic

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Luka Doncic is heading to his first NBA Finals at 25 years old after already racking up an impressive NBA resume in only 6 seasons in the league. The Dallas Mavericks have looked dominant in every playoff series they've played so far, taking down the Clippers, the OKC Thunder, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. To say that Luka Doncic has been unstoppable during the playoffs is an understatement, and this isn’t even the best that we’ve seen Luka play in a postseason setting.
Luka Doncic has only consistently gotten better as the Mavericks have worked their way deeper and deeper into the playoffs, and now they head into the 2024 NBA Finals with all the momentum in the world. The duo of Luka and Kyrie Irving has been rounded out by incredible play for Dereck Lively, the incredible rookie center. Plus, the PJ Washington trade and Daniel Gafford trade have paid dividends for the Mavericks time and time again throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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Providing NBA analysis by making film digestible and using analytics thoughtfully to contextualize on-court production. I cover the NBA in various capacities as a writer and digital content creator. If you love basketball and the NBA, be sure to subscribe to my channel.
DISCLAIMER: I do not claim ownership of any footage or clips used in this video. The use of these clips is protected under Fair Use Policy.
#LukaDoncic #DallasMavericks #NBA

[@AlexHoops]

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[@TheRobins1m]

Agree. For every clip where you slow it down and say “oh, they shouldn’t have sagged off him there” there’s another clip where you can say “they SHOULD have sagged off him and guarded against the pass or roll”. Lula’s genius I think is that nothing is premeditated. He waits until the very last millisecond to decide whether to pass or shoot and who to pass to. He waits to see what the defence does and then makes the right call accordingly. That SOUNDS easy (and he makes it LOOK easy!) but for anyone that’s played, it’s not usually how people work. You need a very clear, cool head and very high bball IQ and the skills to make the shots and passes at the very last second. What strikes me most watching Luka is how easy he makes it look. A definite must-watch for any young basketballer.

[@SomeGoodBroth]

When I worked at GameStop, and I saw kids buying 2k, I would ask them who their favorite team was. They would say the hornets because of lemelo ball….. I recommended them to watch Luka because he literally does everything lemelo does, but better and then some. They always said he’s boring tho which is insane

[@thunderstar254]

​@@SomeGoodBroth tell them to watch young Luka, or Luka's first half rookie season. Before he "adapted" to the NBA, he was up there with showtime magic in terms of entertainment.

[@pedrodutra4088]

@@SomeGoodBroth He's the guy that captivated me to start watching the NBA again in 2022. I didn't know about him but as soon as I saw some games I said to my friend this guy is special. The bigger talent in the league. I liked Brunson a lot too and was mad they let him go, but turned out for the best

[@shaunakkulkarni4679]

@@pedrodutra4088luka is the type of player who will do the same shit 30 times in a row if it keeps working.

[@TheMexicanVaquero]

Nah Alex the NBA media said Luka had an easy trip to the finals and he doesn't play defense so clearly its not that Luka is good everyone he plays is just always bad when he plays them.

[@AlexHoops]

I know you’re joking but it’s sad how accurate that is

[@Gbkhatedlove]

Cap

[@daytonagreg8765]

exactly.

[@shaulyehudah29]

He quite literally didn’t

[@mannyminds5262]

If you are really good, the opposing team will always play bad

[@Blitzkit]

Remember the NBA have been defending and sleeping on this luka since ROTY luka. The only difference is that the roster perfectly blends with luka's magic. And it's scarily improving luka esp on his defense

[@daytonagreg8765]

He NEVER tries to show off. It is THE LAST THING ON HIS MIND. Instead he focuses on ensuring the ball goes through that hoop, however it has to happen. That is a completely different mindset when compared to 90% of NBA players.

[@jjcometa9333]

If Luka and the Mavs somehow win this finals, it will solidify Kyrie, Luka and the Mavs as legit. Kyrie won without lebron. Luka shuts up the doubters about his play style. And this makes mavs a potential place for free agents.

[@benerwel]

If we talk about play style. The big difference between him and Harden is the decision making. Yes, Luka also makes the shot, but he doesn't force it. He knows when to give the ball and has a winner mentality

[@jjcometa9333]

@benerwel yup. I'm just saying it for the other casuals who like to sht on Luka on how he plays. For me they've been different. It's that the media sees 3, lay up, fts as their offensive similarities and jump to conclusions that Luka is like Harden

[@Daria_Lopez]

If Luka and the Mavs somehow win this finals, it will solidify Kyrie, Luka and the Mavs as legit. Kyrie won without lebron. Luka shuts up the doubters about his play style. And this makes mavs a potential place for free agents.

[@KonstantinasJariomenko]

What do you mean " somehow" ? :D

[@kman9884]

@@KonstantinasJariomenkoBoston is still, statistically, the best team in the NBA, and are heavily favored to win.

[@beanbagman0039]

The mavs are legit already. They didn't have an easy road getting to the finals and are a scary match up for anybody

[@Solitude102]

One of the KZbin basketball goats. Looking forward to your NBA finals coverage.

[@mikethebeginner]

That's so fascinationg...thank you. I don't know much about basketball and you explained it so I could follow it. Great.

[@Mase326]

I love that the first shot was Luka shooting a step back free throw.

[@gregjonglee]

At the end of the day, we have to see who wins the finals in order for Luca and Jayson Tatum to prove their greatness. Both have a lot to prove.

[@luchito1337]

Great video Alex, hope it gains traction in the algorithm

[@lazerrated]

These ais are wild.

[@carlosacosta1290]

Luka playing defense now is scary for the league😂😂Im so happy that he plays for my city with my favorite player Kyrie Irving😂😂

[@Gaming444fun99]

Watching Luka play is like watching a d1 player play vs high school kids. He’s really mastered the game

[@savagesavant4964]

its the way he approaches the paint. Starting & stopping. Faking a shot. Ending w/ a step back or pass.

[@martinvaillancourt5962]

Good shit

[@Hereforthelols]

9:42 didn’t knew luka was my EX

[@dk6173]

😂

[@dariusz.9119]

Ok, that was a good one

[@mattgilbert5850]

Another nice vid. I enjoy your posts always.

[@benjimiguel17]

i love seeing Lively’s energy

[@richardoteri9746]

This was an incredible video.

[@waff6ix]

MAVS IN 5💯

[@connorthompson1086]

great analysis of luka

[@decharibrooks2319]

I would love to see a consistent three point shooter (38-42%) in the pick and roll offense for dallas. The offense would be unbelievable. Someone like Gary Trent who is great at converting open looks.

[@WilliamRobinson-i8z]

damn bro you haven't dropped in a minute

[@gdgjjjkkk]

He posted 4 days ago😭

[@yourfavoritetoy]

if you want to shut down luka you have to have guys who are strong and well versed on fighting through screens. dont switch you need players who will fight through screens, i still think the refs will call offensive fouls for moving screens if they see you actually trying to fight through them. teams just switch at will now, i mean look how a lot of defense is played now, very low energy lots of people literally standing around. you can shut him down but its going to take guys in great shape, and this nba is not about that

[@KhabibNelson]

Someone hire this man as a coach. Big brain 🧠

[@mathewomolo]

lets just wait until game 2 ends. Ant was jinxed like this before nearly getting swept.

[@boredofurito]

great vid!

[@venom999333]

I'm just curious. If Dallas does beat Boston, will the media say Luka only beat a weak Boston team or weak Eastern Conference team? Or if Luka destroys Boston & Kyrie hits a huge shot (game winner), will they downplay Luka & give all credit to Kyrie? If the media spins this (if Dallas wins) and downplays Luka or Kyrie, I'd like it VERY much if Luka & Kyrie refuse to be interviewed by the main culprits. Or have Luka call them out.

[@aripedrob]

it is exactly we are seeing...

[@cobrathecobra3398]

I think Luka is going to go at Tatum. That's going to be the switch he wants. He knows Tatum is soft... he's gonna try to take his soul.

[@130woodlyn]

Reupload?

[@AlexHoops]

Yeah I had a blunder in the original upload 😂

[@rebelsoup1947]

Luka makes such great reads, it’s really satisfying to watch. Reminds me of 2018 Lebron . But Luka has been doing this his whole career so far. It’s also very satisfying to see a superstar with such a well fitting team around him. Boston will have their hands full. I’m interested to see if their schemes and personnel can stand out to the Luka magic

[@-kBSplnp]

luka is stomping out AAU daddy ball singlehandedly right now LOL

[@yosquiggly]

Iv been saying he's the best player in the world but people doubted

[@xoirvinn]

Is this Alex Hoops?

[@AlexHoops]

Yes?

[@Enlightened_SpursFan]

Basketball is good

[@RVG2024]

If Mavs steal a win in Game 1 or 2...Mavs will win the series in Game 6 in their Homecourt.. If Celtics win both Game 1&2.. Celtics will win the series in Game

[@pedestrianne]

luka reminds me of the 2018 version of the undisputed 9th greatest of all time king james. UNSTOPPABLE

[@ICP_Fish]

News flash.. I guess? This isn't an Earth Shattering take... might be... lol

[@thebabyshpee6508]

Boston in 6.

[@RVG2024]

If Mavs can steal a game in Game 1&2 in homecourt of Celtics...Mavs in 6 in their Homecourt.. And if Celtics wins in Game 1&2 in their homecourt...CELTICS in 5

[@mileslong4061]

Stop it! Ant man was next Jordan a few weeks ago. Let’s just watch and enjoy. Quit trying to predict shit.

[@ezmnysnpr]

just hope he miss

[@MrAgainstallodds78]

People forget that Luca has won championships since he was 16. And we already know about Kyrie Mavs in 5.

[@Workplaylister]

What's your opinion on this now?

[@Kikibrat2]

This has nothing to do with this topic; however, on the last Shoot Around Pod, you mentioned how your channel was dying and something like how we didn't like your content. You make great content! You sounded a bit discouraged, so I at least wanted to be one person that says your content is great and i get notis everytime you post. Keep your head up, King. You rock. 🙏🏾

[@Marc-n5e]

AlejandroHoops wit a banger vid

[@albericponcedeleon2696]

Commenting for the extra engagement. Your coverage of this Dallas team has been excellent. Great timing on this as well. Yesterday I was watching Thinking Basketball do a video for the NBA where they spent like 3 or 4 minutes highlighting great lob defense throughout these playoffs and then Luka showing why none of that matters. 😂

[@lukacvitkovic8550]

Luka is waaay harder to stop than we think

[@thunderstar254]

Not hard at all, just foul hard and look to injure him. However, besides that it's impossible.

[@alvarosziesp]

@@thunderstar254 I think we all understand that the comment meant "ethically" 🤣🤣🤣

[@patrickaikonia853]

The saying good offense always beats good defense should probably be changed to good offense makes good defense look bad

[@ZzzDrained]

im begging them to get that ring the media is so annoying

[@breezydisasta3301]

Top tier content bro

[@AlexHoops]

Appreciate that!!

[@Officine123]

Fantastic video. One of the most fascinating things about the NBA is what teams do in the "oh, now what?" situations. There are so many examples of teams completely abandoning their defensive approach because a superstar is doing superstar things. Luka is the nightmare scenario in that category. Can't begin to imagine dealing with that lol

[@MessiahKnight]

5:00 Talking to Boston fans. Those guys are so scared of the Mavericks it’s hilarious 😂

[@Gbkhatedlove]

Mavs in 6

[@marus3953]

There's a way to stop him that's when he can't get the calls. He starts to focus on that rather than playing the game.

[@tsg2009]

Kyrie and Luka gonna shut some big mouths

[@lightdarklightdarklightdark]

i have a feeling playing luka is confusing lmfaooo

[@trippy_asian3451]

It’s actually silly how Luka can do this 😂😂

[@Dreamdancer11]

Luka is in the finals.....apart from the match ups or the better boston team.....you have a shark in close proximity of the meal...expect luka to play almost all game and going for 40 to 50....not saying that this gonna win them the chip but if they are close......god help that celtics team.....

[@ThatYesGuy]

Comment for the algo

[@TheMysticalNinja65]

💥

[@AgingJerk]

"Might be unstoppable" Nah homie already has the deathnote

[@sumboi2210]

Hahahaha alex ur so hot and strong and smart

[@Broges17]

Great video man! Loving your work, keep it up 👌

[@angelocadena7094]

📚 and 🐜 must be proud. A proud son moment.

[@mavsfanforever7919]

One of the first!!!

[@chinny18]

Can walk the talk and an unstoppable offensive force, already a Euroleague Final Four MVP at Real Madrid... Yeah, Luka going to be a legend of his own.

[@goyasmind]

Luka is doing this on one leg. The next Larry Bird, even out doing Kobe..

[@matthias-christianbender1178]

Hes 25yo bot 26yo

[@trvspvrk]

he’s been the best player in the world, finally people are opening their eyes

[@ingmarjaschok675]

Great video, again! One thing thought, which i thought about on the Lively video before: when you are comparing stats that include several numbers, could you keep the "stat you refer to" in the picture, too? In this case you compare Lukas numbers from two different series, which includes five stats for each series. That's ten different numbers to keep in mind to be able to follow your narrative. It's for most people probably enough and they don't really care but I'd like to follow and learn a bit and would love to have all the numbers on the screen at once. Maybe it would be an idea, if the numbers you mention first and refer to later are pushed to the left edge and greyed out a bit, so it's clear which numbers you are talking about at the moment, but it's possible to follow your argument at the same time, without having to jump back and forth in the video. Maybe it's not a good idea, but I thought so several times in your videos, so I just leave it here and maybe you read it and it's possible to be implemented. And if not: I'll keep enjoying the videos anyways.

[@HA-kj8px]

This recency bias is corny I remember Andrew wiggins locking up Luka in the 2022 WCFs he’s special not unstoppable

[@akshyadulal1455]

Lol he didn't lock Luka up. Luka shot like 50% with Wiggins guarding him. Wtf are you on about?

[@SomeGoodBroth]

@@akshyadulal1455he’s a warriors fan they are either flight reacts, or extremely old