After his Game 3 during which he was out for six fouls, Luka Doncic had been particularly criticized. His very limited performance in defense was already at the center of discussions. Then, it was his attitude with the referees – always complicated – which was targeted. The Mavericks led 3-0, the Slovenian not at his best level, it was logical that the All-Star was not spared.
Jason Kidd had therefore protected his star : “Stop annoying him, let him play. » For his part, the player, whose reaction in Game 4 was very good, said that he did not lend“not much attention” to all this noise, “because there will always be criticism.”
Aren't his teammates sometimes bothered by Luka Doncic's behavior with the referees, when he is more focused on discussing with them than playing?
“In a very physical match, where we are pushed around with every action, we will have things to say to the referees. For Luka, his relationship with the referees is not always the healthiest during matches”, can only see Kyrie Irving. “Referees are human, we must respect what they do, they are important. The situation may evolve in one direction or the other. I think he's handling his responsibilities as best he can at this point in his life. He is young, he is still trying to understand. I grant him this grace. »
“We also have to be a little firm with him, making him understand, repeating to him that he must stay away from the referees”
But if this comes to undermine the Mavericks, then the playmaker and his teammates call their superstar to order.
“We also have to be a little firm with him, making him understand, repeating to him that he must stay away from the referees”continues the former Clevelander. “It’s a lesson to learn. When he's focused, when he doesn't pay attention to the referees, he's huge. We want him to remain consistent in this area, not to be too hard on himself. »
It would all be a question of balance. “If he takes a technical foul, it’s like that. If we're trying to get back into a game and we need the officials, then the perspective is different and we have to change our approach.”concludes Kyrie Irving. “Sometimes you have to have a good discussion with the referees, eye to eye, and it works. But talking to them all the time can get to them. »
| Luka Doncic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | DAL | 72 | 32 | 42.7 | 32.7 | 71.3 | 1.2 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 21.2 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 61 | 34 | 46.3 | 31.6 | 75.8 | 1.3 | 8.1 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 0.2 | 28.8 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 66 | 34 | 47.9 | 35.0 | 73.0 | 0.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 0.6 | 27.7 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 65 | 35 | 45.7 | 35.3 | 74.4 | 0.9 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 28.4 |
| 2022-23 | DAL | 66 | 36 | 49.6 | 34.2 | 74.2 | 0.8 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 0.5 | 32.4 |
| 2023-24 | DAL | 70 | 38 | 48.7 | 38.2 | 78.6 | 0.8 | 8.4 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 33.9 |
| Total | 400 | 35 | 47.0 | 34.7 | 74.7 | 1.0 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 28.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
