Statements
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. Doncic fouled out while trying to play defense. The Mavericks were making a comeback from down 21 points.
Doncic attempted to slide in front of Jaylen Brown for a charge, but he didn’t get set in time. The whistle blew, and the play went to replay. The call was upheld. Doncic was gone, and the Mavericks were trailing by three. The Mavericks lost the game 106-99. Boston now holds a 3-0 series lead.
A Close Call
The call was very close. It wouldn’t have been surprising if it had been overturned. Doncic fouled out while defending, which is ironic given his defensive struggles in this series. Doncic was "blown by" 13 times in Game 2. This is the most "blown by" times by a single defender in the last 10 postseasons. Doncic’s slow feet and weak lateral movement have been detrimental.
Doncic has excelled offensively against Jayson Tatum. Tatum has been trying defensively, whereas Doncic has not. Doncic has been waiting to play offense instead of committing to defense. Doncic’s defensive effort in the NBA Finals has been laughable. Doncic's sternum injury is not a valid excuse for his poor performance. Doncic has never been a good defender. Any improvements in Doncic's defense have been dramatized by his supporters. Doncic has been a zero defensively in this series. Doncic’s deficiencies have caused the Mavericks to play four against five on defense. Boston has been living in the paint and generating open 3s due to Doncic’s deficiencies.
The Defense Dilemma
Kyrie Irving is also not a good defender. This further complicates matters for Dallas. Doncic's defensive efforts have been compared to James Harden’s poor defense. Doncic was not close to guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser. Doncic was pointing at the opposite side of the court in a laughable display of unawareness. Doncic failed to be in position to help when Brown rejected a screen multiple times. Doncic offered bumbling shuffles in Brown’s direction before giving up entirely. Doncic was caught out of place more than once. Multiple Mavericks had to converge on Brown due to Doncic’s breakdowns. Doncic failed in transition defense by staying on the ground and complaining to referees. The Celtics walked into another open 3-pointer due to Doncic’s lack of effort.
The Mavericks are outclassed by a wide margin against the Celtics. The defensive gap can't be blamed solely on Doncic. Nobody on the Mavericks can keep up with the Celtics. The Mavericks’ reputation as a defensive team was a mirage. Doncic is undeniably a gifted offensive player. Doncic's defensive ineptitude in this series is glaring.
The Need for Improvement
Doncic is not being asked to become an elite defender, just to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have turned into fine defenders despite their offensive responsibilities. In contrast, Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been defensive liabilities. Doncic is better than both Young and Lillard. Doncic's defense is impossible to overlook, especially in the playoffs. Doncic's lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor in this series. The series is effectively over for the Mavericks.
Quotes
"Many thanks to @CelticsUnite18." "Honestly, look at that defense. He is roaming around out there like the kid you put in right field in Little League who just picks daisies all game." "It is one thing to be outmatched defensively." "Whatever Doncic is doing, it isn't even in the same universe as trying." "There are players who play defense and players who wait to play offense, and Doncic is a disinterested portrait of the latter." "It's ridiculous." "I don't want to hear a word about this sternum injury." "You can go from a 10% to a 30% in chemistry class, but you're still a failing student." "Luka Doncic is better than both those guys."