NBA world erupts as Luka Doncic clears the air on on the show he puts on over…
Luka Doncic put on a show with some spectacular plays during the Dallas Mavericks’ win over the Toronto Raptors.
During the Dallas Mavericks’ 111-110 win over the Toronto Raptors, Luka Doncic put on a show with some of his most spectacular plays at the start of the season.
Against a creative defense that deployed no shortage of different schemes in an attempt to slow him down, Doncic had a counter for all of them. At times, he broke out some dynamic countermeasures that will surely be included in his season-long highlight reel.
“Luka’s playing chess at a very high level,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “That’s what he does. He has seen everything, he enjoys the defense that can be changed on the fly to help with his creativity. And he had some dump-offs, too, where we had some weak-side threes that didn’t (go in). It makes him special.”
NBA world erupts as Luka Doncic clears the air on on the show he puts on over…
In a game that featured no shortage of highlight plays on Friday, Doncic’s personal favorite was his use of the hook shot. It was a maneuver he showed off at times during EuroBasket play but hadn’t yet utilized in an NBA game. With the shot clock winding down, he put it to use — releasing the ball over the 7-foot-2 wingspan of Scottie Barnes.
The hook shot from #Mavs Luka Doncic was very impressive on re-watch. #Raptors Scottie Barnes, who has a 7-2 wingspan, couldn't impact the shot.
“The best play was my hook shot for sure," Doncic. "I laughed about that one. … I like my coffee with a little Kareem.” pic.twitter.com/ekn7wZz31J
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) November 6, 2022
“Yeah, sometimes I do,” Doncic said. “The best play was my hook shot for sure. I laughed about that one. … I like my coffee with a little Kareem.”
Among Doncic’s top plays was a logic defying counter to the Raptors attempting to execute a sideline trap in ball screen coverage. Doncic used a spin move to split the two defender, then used a no-look pass before executing a spray-out to the weak-side corner for an open catch-and-shoot jumper.
It's still amazing how fluidly #Mavs Luka Doncic split the #Raptors sideline trap attempt while protecting the ball from Barnes' late reach attempt and from the help defender.
Once Doncic gets feet in the paint, he effectively uses no-look passes to slow up the low-man. pic.twitter.com/3HefQ4gIeO
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) November 6, 2022
Another play from Doncic that defied logic was a short-range turnaround jumper he converted after breaking down Precious Achiuwa off the dribble. After no shortage of between-the-legs dribbles, Doncic faded back off one leg and released a high arching shot — resulting in a make.
Short-range jump shots have been a key part of #Mavs Luka Doncic's counters when attacking downhill. He made one of his best against the #Raptors.
“There were too many moves,” Doncic said. “The ball escaped a little bit. It was a hard shot. I don’t know how I made that.” pic.twitter.com/rjUwgxIHwU
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) November 6, 2022
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“I think I made too many moves. I think I had him beat the first time but then the ball escaped a little bit. I don’t know what I did there, but it was a hard shot. I don’t know how I made it. I thought it was short, but it just went in.”