Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack.Kerr
Carlisle should be directing Luka to feed KP in the low post, instead of allowing Luka to pound the air out of the ball for 22 seconds before hoisting up a step-back airball.
Carlisle isn't, so Luka isn't, so KP isn't. Which of these three elements is easiest to re-configure?
Prediction: This will not be a popular opinion, but .....
Luka is not showing much progress as a floor general. Is he getting direction from the coaching staff? Luka has sort of plateaued as an elite stat-maker, but the Mavs will not be going far with Luka insisting on carrying the load all by himself. He seems to ignore that KP is on the floor, and seems to be unaware of the possibility of continually feeding KP to pressure the defense.
KP has categorically demonstrated the ability to produce at an elite level (and consistently), but Luka keeps Bogarting the ball. It's holding KP back, and it's holding the whole team back. They will only go as far as Luka can dribble them, which looks to be lower seed playoff team, and a first-round exit.
Further, yes, they need another first-tier player, but honestly, who is going to want to come stand around while Doncic dribbles, hoists an outrageously long step-back, and then raises his pudgy arms in a self-congratulatory gesture 35% or the time? Right now, Luka is about Luka, about promoting himself and his own brand, and it is past tiresome to watch.
Makes the failure to acquire a PG mentor like Dragic (or to sign an available PG like Rubio) seem like an even bigger loss, because Carlisle apparently doesn't have the ability to get through to Luka, communicate to him the duties of a TRUE point guard, a TRUE floor general, and a TRUE leader.
Seriously, this style of play, and Luka's individual indulgences and tantrums are making the Mavericks difficult to enjoy, because long term, Luka-ball is going to turn out to be Loser-ball.
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I've been saying KP goes long stretches of games without getting touches.
They will feed him in the 1st qtr and then after that it becomes every man for themselves.
He's usually standing around watching THJ, Richardson and Brunson all go shot hunting.
And as you mentioned Luka's dribbling for 20 seconds every possession of the 4th qtr's is part of the reason this offense gets stagnant so often down the stretch of games.
Carlisle refuses to call set plays and when you have a young team like that which is turnover prone in the clutch you can help them out by calling plays that put them in a position to succeed
Posting Luka or KP is better than having guys jack up 3 point shots from damn near halfcourt on 5 straight possessions vs a team like Boston who basically had no bigs or rim protection.
Also it's getting real bothersome to know that anytime a team applies pressure to Dallas ball handlers they cough it up.
This has been going on since last year so whose coaching this team to adjust and improve in those situations.
They will likely cough up 1-2 1st round playoff games because of the same issues and as fans we will say dsmn the Mavs could have won that series if only they could have protected the ball or attacked the rim more late in games.