The Key To A Mavs Win Isn't What You Expected...

What if I told you that the most important factor in Mavs vs. Clippers through Games 1 & 2 has been the defense of Luka Doncic?
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[@mistrred1]

Lukas competitive edge starting to show on defense is awesome to watch. I honestly feel that if he carried the defensive tenacity that he had in this game for the whole season, MVP wouldn’t even be a question.

[@andr_530]

Nobody has enough gas to play 36mpg and play with this level of intensity on both ends, he didn't win MVP because of too many injuries, that led to a worse seeding, had he been a top 3 seed you'll bet he would win it

[@brittanyblassingill]

Luka has way too much of an offensive load to be able to play this level of defense night in and night out. All you can ask for is for him to give this kind of defensive effort when it matters most.

[@naj_pederson]

I do wish he was also more active off ball when on offense

[@ChrisSmith-pe4tf]

jokic mvp 😂😂😂

[@sinep8008]

@@andr_530 yeah the injuries really hurt his chances this year. if it wasn't for those they would probably be at least 3rd in the west and Luka the MVP because of it.

[@karu6111]

I love this character development. Luka becoming a 2-way player? Yes please

[@nookieoday3831]

P 0:48

[@danukool]

Lmao fanboys watch him get torched in game 3

[@damjanknific1394]

@@danukoolthis was last close game, next 3 will be 20+ for Dallas

[@review1865]

​@@danukoolfool, he has improved a lot on defense this season. Only haters don't see that improvement. You Sac12?

[@danukool]

@@review1865 every critique is not hate it’s just the facts bro no one telling Luka “hey go stop they best player” so let’s stop this madness he put up good effort but he’s not good on defense

[@maferreira1984]

Thing is it was never a case of "he simply isn't fast enough and has no lateral movement". Luka has the size, the strength, the reading and the IQ to make up for that with surplus, provided he's willing to. I've never bought the "he can't defend" narrative, for, to me, it's clear he has more than enough resources to be an all-around player. The issue is his energy management because of the insane usage rate and how much he's needed in offense to prevent full blanks and total collapse when everyone else is ice-cold. People trying to reduce Luka to a one-dimensional player are in for several surprises along the way.

[@pedrozapata7008]

you dont play (succesfully) at the level luka did in Europe without being at least a competent defender. Granted, maybe you are more defensively protected by your teammates in FIBA basketball, but luka played for arguably the best team in european Bball and won champiosnhips with them before he turned 18, he had to have soem defensive capabilities. so i wholeheartedly agree with you, its a question of does he want to. And you bet that, with his Basketball IQ he has already figured out a way how to defend effectively against potential mismatches.

[@gremcilia_immermurin]

I think Luka also benefited from neither Kawhi or Harden having really the burst to blow by him. He's also big enough to take contact from them and not give up ground. Pretty cool adjustment. Still gotta give him props for being committed on D.

[@faervas1234]

If you watch how Luka was defending, he was putting his hand on the player to push out the direction of their hits so they could not make the turn. That is something they would call in the regular season.

[@hittkid6312]

@@faervas1234 I noticed that too and imo they should allow that in the regular season as well, let's see how good at scoring these guards really are when someone like Kawhi, Butler or Dortz shoving them all over the perimeter.

[@Yearofconsecration]

Mavs have been #1 Defense in the leave the last 18games and in the top 5 after all star break . Yall gotta face the fact that this is the new identity. I know mavs and defense usually don’t go in the same sentence but .. I’m even shock it’s happening even as a fan . Not even being bias .

[@jakobfisher9415]

Mavs roll players will only get better offensively as their nerves calm

[@deezosaintloyal]

roll players is hysterical

[@sulphuricvein]

Clippers have many players who can carry and if one of them gets hot, it's good night.

[@Abdur-Rahman862]

​@@deezosaintloyalPretty confident that English is the only language you speak. You don't have a right to be arrogant.

[@joebenson528]

@@Abdur-Rahman862 Says the guy without a passport. Pipe down, boy.

[@richcantgame]

The first game Luka looked like a traffic cone out there, the second game he was vastly improved. Impressive to see that improvement immediately

[@danukool]

Yea it’s called help defense

[@arsitol6636]

@@danukool gang did you even watch the video? the majority of the possessions he defended in game 2 were iso possessions without help defense, and he even complained when they tried to help. he just put more effort in.

[@danukool]

@@arsitol6636 yes and I watch 3 possessions like that and he told them not to double never told them not to help on the drive which that’s what they was doing and he wanted them to stay close to shooters that’s why Jason kid had the nail and the block covered lol you don’t know basketball I do

[@danukool]

@@arsitol6636 also I never said he play bad defense….defense is effort and he had great effort you can’t stop great players you only can slow them down or make them make tuff decisions but I’m just saying he had help on back side let’s stop the Luka plays defense mess

[@rodericksasu6976]

​@@danukool Cry 😂😂😂😂

[@banimeclips10]

Mf having that Hinata from haikyuu character development, offensive monster loving and turning into a defensive force too 😭😭

[@rashidchowdhury9762]

Yooooo i love this comparison 🔥

[@sonofnonetv8785]

This is gold

[@banimeclips10]

@@rashidchowdhury9762 idk bro about to turn into Kobe lol

[@banimeclips10]

@@sonofnonetv8785 for real, it was crazy watching him from his rookie year to now that he's trying to get good on defence. And now he is actually liking that too.

[@rashidchowdhury9762]

@@banimeclips10 kobe was not this offensively talented, especially with rebounding and assista

[@jurichparilla1723]

Luka is a capable defender, he just dont want to put more effort on D. Remember one time when he asked the team to let him guard KAT, then he really did a great job guarding him.

[@zendariuskincaid5205]

This was a A+ video!!! context and reality Vs them numbers people love to throw out, big ups for the real analysts

[@TwicexUnis]

i love how luka keeps on improving !!

[@itazuranasensei2722]

If you want chip you have to give effort to defense and that’s what he showed last game. Keep the energy up MVP!

[@rickyisme1230]

His defense is really really impressive last night 👍 Dallas overall defense also outstanding.

[@OCHitters]

Both Kai and luka are playing right up in that defenders face. They can do this though because they have a lot great help behind them now ready to help if that offensive guy gets by them. Same thing almost with regard to what tyson chandler did in 2011. Very impressed so far

[@MaartenAnna]

Great analysis, I noticed Luka being more engaged. But never having played basketball, I missed these finer intricacies; thanks for the breakdown. 👍

[@dreivsall]

I'm just waiting here in the comments for the Doncic haters at this point

[@TheeKing7]

Same LoL

[@cheap272]

Me, im one! I still think he leaves dallas ringless. But if he just suddenly becomes a different guy on defense and keeps this up atleast throughout the playoffs hes a 3x champ minimum.

[@Nice-sm5hr]

@@cheap272 Dunno if he can keep up this effort on defense every possession and maintain the energy required for his exceptional offense but ofc love the idea that he can

[@forcecalibration924]

💯

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

Doncic doesnt have haters. Doncic "haters" just hate toxic Doncic D!(K Riders Luka fans are like LeBron stans. They diss everyone their player plays for, says they carried bums, and get butthurt at even the slightest criticism

[@janameglen4067]

3:14 “Westbrook isn’t treat from the outside”😂

[@TheOrdener]

Nice analysis. Thanks!

[@victorajah6243]

Really hope Hoop Venue does this all series with these play off games, dropping a breakdown vid every game or two

[@triggeredtrey]

HELL YEAH SHOW ‘EM LUKAA 🔥

[@carlod5818]

luka just turns into a demon when hes facing the clippers, the best is still to come, i am sure

[@joebenson528]

Until he falls apart in elimination games.

[@yopo654]

@@joebenson528 Have you tried using your eyes to watch the game 7 against suns?😭

[@invisobill2125]

Highest ppg ever in game 7s in nba history? Huh…. Say you’re a casual without saying it.

[@andrzejbator6130]

Great vid, finally realized myself why LAC was such a difficult opponent to Dallas - Luka's struggles against 3 great isolation players. Maybe Luka's sudden defensive boost comes from new refereeing that allows more contact? Though Luka isn't the fastest guard, he is very strong.

[@LukaDaGoat77]

Thank you for highlighting his defensive ability and his trying on that side of the ball. At least some people realize that he is trying and doing an okay job.

[@manegrindshard]

Luka being a legit 2way player consistently would put all doubt away about who is the best player in the league

[@LukasP143]

Aint gonna happen.. wemby will be the best very soon

[@andr_530]

​@@LukasP143Wemby doesn't come close to Luka offensively tho

[@manegrindshard]

@@LukasP143 wemby is tall that's his major advantage he's nowhere near as skilled as top NBA players but he'll be a decent allstar.

[@zettour.]

Except there's no world in which Luka will be a consistent two-way player. His offensive game doesn't allow for him to be good on defense; even if his defensive IQ improved, no conditioning could keep him from being gassed trying to run both sides of the floor. He's trying way too hard on offense and has nothing left to give on defense. That's why Jokic is such an anomaly. He doesn't need to do much, but he's such a massive threat on offense due to his shooting and playmaking that his opponents get tired way before he does trying to defend against his plays. On defense, he's not a rim defender so he's just going to get his easy deflections in and disrupt the offense on the glass. I can't remember the last game where Jokic genuinely looked tired apart from that one time he put up 50+ in a loss (he was more pissed than tired though). Even if he is, he'll just sit in the passing lane and call out all of your plays before you make them. If his offense wasn't literally GOAT-level, people would notice him more on D.

[@akshayar2467]

If he defends like this while still putting up offensive numbers all season, he'll be exhausted come playoffs. It's better that he uses his defensive prowess in the post season where it matters most

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Kyrie-Drama & LUKA MAGIC UNSTOPPABLE in Offense

[@sheeaatt]

Classic basketball overall.. the defense from both are spectacular

[@bukthegoat]

Great video HV!

[@Yearofconsecration]

Don’t nobody wanna see nor ready for a Luka that plays Defense. Nobody. Everybody in trouble 😈

[@Kimura-pl6vt]

Actually Luka better defender then 80% of the league players Clippers find out only now that luka can be a good defender

[@n1shan1h]

best game breakdown

[@greyfell7799]

if mavs role players scores.. and luka continue his effort in deffense.... Mavs at 6...

[@guyanisimov1562]

Good stuff!!!!

[@xavierb9061]

Houston rockets once missed 27 straight 3 pointers. Basically what happened with luka defense 2/17 stat because game 1 they built lead cooking him. But he increased effort so deserves credit.

[@MugiOverall]

I could watch Luka defensive highlights all day

[@esrepu]

With luka diggin on defense he can become a true alltime great. like mj.

[@jayadyrumengan6315]

Mavs can reach NBA final this season...

[@hankanatorpoo8777]

i can see conference finals but you think they're gonna beat the Timberwolves / nuggets?

[@TeeeWal]

@@hankanatorpoo8777easily beat the twolves. Luka loves going against Gobert just like Jokic does. Nuggets will be a great one.

[@TheNeon55]

Luka for mvp is way more convincing if he is playing some solid defense fs

[@carlsantayo]

this is gonna be a tough game 7 series

[@epiccontrolzx2291]

Look at Luka man

[@rimimimimimimimim4170]

nah I actually really like seeing him try on defense, it's such a waste and it's nice to see an offensive star give it their all on both ends

[@rimimimimimimimim4170]

he always had potential, I thought that since he blocked LeBron twice in one go, with his height and frame, if he tried defensively gave it his all he definitely can be a good defender, and to see him do that but also be happy doing it is great

[@milkie6655]

My only problem with this Luka defense propo that keeps getting pushed is that most of his “defensive” moments came when Zubac was off the court and it was Plumlee (who has been terrible in all categories lately) or small ball. The clipper are also notorious for having bad shooting every other game like clockwork. While I do think Luka was more active on the defensive side of the court, I don’t think that he was the reason for their success in game 2. Getting Zu into early foul trouble was a huge factor, most likely thought up by Kidd after his monster game 1. And if you look at how bad the shooting percentages were for the clippers, they kept the game within 1-2 possessions shooting 29-30% (season low). This series will go the distance but not because of anything defensively, solely because the clippers lack consistency.

[@tomazroses6022]

Wow what a Deja Vu.. Jup LukaMagic's defense was 🔥 🔥 🔥.. We 🇸🇮 Slovenijaans 🇸🇮. 🤘🏻

[@iamchaunceman]

I mean 0-11 on shots contested by Luka says it all. And that point of attack stance? Damn I love the playoffs.

[@AtlanticCanadianAstronomy]

Great breakdown! Kawhi is my guy but luka stepping up on defense was impressive. If kawhi catches his stride its over though. That baited steal he pulled luka was amazing hahaha.

[@Goxilla]

Took him 5 years to take pride in defense but it couldn´t be timed any better. Let´s go Mavs!!

[@Fer-q3r]

You're reasoning is pretty accurate, but, how do you explain what happened in game 2? That's the good point of sport, basketball specifically, you can always change and improve performance 😅

[@majestyirving1372]

Glad Luka finally cares about D and im glad Jkid realized too pre rotate when Luka is on ball thank god 2way is a bit much 😂 but this is encouraging nonetheless

[@ajdeo3489]

defense is all effort i can be taught but only matters and translates when you put in effort

[@TheTeezy1000]

Hustling is the key to success.

[@SBGamer30]

Great stuff as always but the Clippers definitely gave game 2 away: 1. Lue shouldn’t have taken Russ out after the Clippers went on a good run lead by Russ’s energy. 2. The Clippers piss me off when they start games with zero energy and urgency. No ball movement and just plain stale. 3. The ISO ball is absolutely going to kill this Clippers team.

[@874umar]

I know your Miami heat video is cooking can’t wait

[@JimboCruntz]

1:44 "and George ends up with a quality 3" As a defender is basically holding is hand. 😂 it is a good look but it was also defended well.

[@voidl3s246]

everybody actin tough when they up

[@ajvhan]

Gafford the beast has not yet awakened. Once 1,2 punch of bigs starts rolling mavs offense gonna change a lot.

[@mycabbages3538]

Those tnt guys wouldn’t even show Luka’s block. That’s how much they refuse to talk about his defense.

[@LoganSun-qc8cy]

The key to this is a better playing Kawhi, like during their 26win in31 games run. Rusty Kawhi is devastating. At least 2 stars in Kawhi, Harden and PG need to show up to counter Luka and Kyrie

[@ParhelionMedia]

Whole Mavs team played way better defense in game 2. Luka seemed to be putting a lot more effort in and can in fact play competent D. Glad they made some adjustments and won!

[@jjcometa9333]

I like Luka on Kawhi because Kawhi wont break you down like PG and Harden. Hes still capable of that but more than likely hes not gonna go too fast where luka cant keep up with him. And physically , well its on the vid. He can hold his own against kawhi, whos pretty much stronger than PG and Harden and Russ

[@danukool]

Yea put Luka on kawhi he going to score 50

[@arwinacupan351]

​@@danukool🤣🤣🤣🤣 crying kawhi is suck 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@arwinacupan351]

​@@danukoolyeah put kawhi to Luka and Luka score 100 points easy 🤣🤣 kawhi si suck,🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jjcometa9333]

@@danukool 😂

[@R3Y1023]

I agree Kawhi is hobbled right now doesn’t have the speed to blow past Luka

[@thejoelmoranshow]

Luka is such a smart player and has the size and strength to play great team defense. The way he’s spoken about people act like he’s a complete come which is false. He’s been amazing this series.

[@stuntmandaniels3323]

Team defense helps a lot

[@thejoelmoranshow]

@@stuntmandaniels3323 basketball is a team game isn’t it?

[@DFizzle-ni6lk]

I mean he played better defense this game. But a big reason the clips offense was rolling in game 1 was because they kept attacking Luka.

[@karl6458]

lets go, let the dog out!

[@Sircomic]

As long as Luka isn’t a LIABILITY on defense, the mavericks are pretty unstoppable. Gonna be hard to repeat a game like this again, but if he can find a way to hold his individual opponents to like 40% shooting the whole series, it’d be really hard to win for the clippers.

[@polopuik9198]

The thing is Luka played worse ofense because he defended with everything he had, but I swear if Luka gets in shape not only he'll be able to not get tired so quickly but also he'll attack and defend betterfor being more agile

[@IkIiIrIbIoIt]

also during russ took the 3pts at 6:40 of your video, you see luka looking and ready to box-out for kawhi, we all know kawhi is good with putback shot and off. reb...

[@fwlimit2]

luka is amazing

[@RichPorter-zo4bb]

They do not want to see, say, think of luka as a 2way player..

[@cloudunderweather9554]

i wouldnt consider this a key to them winning since typically defense should be expected from everyone on the court. If You can't defend you won't win and thats true for everyone, including luka. I still think the key is production from the mavs role players. game 2 it was PJ. If someone can cook a little off the bench the series is over. Luka's defense was definitely crucial, but its not the key to winning, its just the key to prevent them from definitely losing. The defense allows the game to at least be close. Kyrie knows this too, and was playing aggressive defense all game.

[@Tarquin2718]

Whhhuuuuuaaaaahhhhh LUKA!!!!

[@shelohbuyante378]

With luka improving in defense mavs in 5😂😂😂

[@forcecalibration924]

Let’s Go Mavs! Dallas stand up! If you’re from Dallas like this comment 🤠

[@mr.kwamid-86_43]

2:57 and has the nerve to hang his head lol

[@kingoffedoras9932]

The key to a Mavs win is PJ Washington hitting more 3's than Kawhi PG and Harden combined.

[@pickleoudww7784]

1:45 why on almost every channel when the player makes the shot they call it a good shot or a quality 3pointer or middy, we can clearly see that George was heavily contested but he just made it. That’s not a diet he could live on throughout the serie. sorry if i sounded offending in any way it’s just something that’s been bothering me for a minute now

[@Tony-cp6vu]

thing is Luka doesn't want to play on both sides every night. but he can if he needs to

[@joeyiiihizon2293]

Picollos out here hating on the white guy

[@Tremendonecio]

He better get some defensive badges on 2k.. brick wall and off-ball pest maybe menace. Not the 🗜️ though not yet

[@Phoresight]

He needs immovable enforcer on gold

[@gdog7105]

His defense was great in game 2, but still what won them this game is the outside shooting. Without the big threes by Luka, Kleber and Washington they are losing the game even with Luka's great defense. We'll see if that would hold too, because he wasn't THAT good in game 1

[@basketboleronggwapo9865]

he can be a two way player if he determins to

[@Sithslayer10]

I wonder what Ty Lue's next adjustment will be

[@NaturalLemon]

Jason kidds help defense is what gave the clippers problems not just Luka.. y’all don’t know ball anyways so you can’t see how Kleber was the most important piece on defense

[@HoopVenue]

I covered the help principles and highlighted Kleber’s positioning multiple times.

[@mjcurry374]

I watched the full game and I don’t think kyries defensive tenacity against James harden, especially with him not getting comfortable and winning that matchup.

[@JapseyeSpecs]

Luka has been playing above average defense all year. People are just stuck in the past or are still listening to the dying ESPN

[@DomoSkyy]

How you make an excuse kwahi was rusty , but then don't acknowledge the fact game 1 was luka first game in almost 2weeks as he was held out are last few games then had 10 days off kyrie as well . That's why luka looked like that game 1 rust from an extended break . Mavs in 5

[@back2back379]

I'd rather him play good defense and have less time of possession than have the ball in his hands all the time and "not have enough energy" for defense.

[@ifailatblackops1]

Draymond was right, westbrook needs to play 30 plus mins for the clippers to win

[@-kBSplnp]

Luka got his bluff in early on blocking the bigs lets not lose sight of that and they hesi to give the ball his direction even if it ultimately is downhill the blocks were a huge psychological edge. So he's a pg who can give you 32 in a poor shooting night and still manhandle your bigs. This is prime cut Luka. Now let's address the elephant in the room - Leonard was in trash form so it was a throwaway game for him while he gets in playing shape. JKidd better know he's coming on strong in Dallas so get rdy for the storm. You know it's coming this guy is iron man when he needs to be. and w PG and Harden and Westbrook it can get really nasty. This is the series of the playoffs. Watch Luka defend the 3 shot - he's not really trying to block it - he's creating a huge distraction to the shooter by bringing a large swinging body near the eyeline. This is the craft of a wise old player, not a 25 year old lol. He just gets better.

[@Davidstone568]

Mvp luka will do what it takes to win

[@glodintoya4689]

Luka was great 🔥🔥🔥

[@aidenhenning5588]

Luka played good defense for Luka, but the Clippers lost because they shot terribly, they were in the game the whole time but they missed open shots and Kawhi was rusty. Clips in 6

[@ethanfox9433]

Kawii gotta hunt early n pass out

[@Wonkzzilla]

If that Kyrie foil wasn't reversed they would've choked Game 2 away, imhonaf.

[@itsDEEZY]

The Clippers were better in every category other than 3pt shooting. That's the only reason they won game 2.

[@homers84]

lol i thought the number one thing would have been lucas defense. and i am not even that into nba...

[@Patriciawhalen]

Playoff Luka is becoming a much better player before our very eyes! He's learning from Kyrie on how to do it championship level!!!

[@aristonecold9612]

Kawhi took this personally. . Just wait

[@justtimes9257]

kawhi leonard hurt the clippers game 2 & he need to used as a role player instead of being a primary threat

[@francescogiannobile8086]

Luka kept clippers at 2/17

[@toml6535]

luka DPOY 2024

[@defasiam9445]

When they turn on the magnets for cry baby Luka 😂

[@514Exc]

Clippers were terrible from 3, don’t think I’ve ever seen kawai miss so many 3s, I thought after they won game one they would let kawai rest since the chemistry looked great first game. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Davidstone568]

MFFL just expect and know the mavs will win. Luka has been playing big D so not "unexpected" to us

[@yeabtsegaaragaw3344]

Game 2 made it seem like the mavs are just out matched kwahi played bad the clippers and harden shot terribly and the game was very close and Luka was playing good and so were the mavs and. It was still very close imagine what would happen if kwahi play good and they shot well another blowout?