The Mavericks: Better without Luka Doncic?

Kyrie and Luka have become one of the best backcourts in the NBA since the trade with the Brooklyn Nets that saw the Mavericks squire Kyrie Irving. They suffered a poor first few months together but they have picked it up and had an amazing season last year, making it to the finals, and both were essential to their performances. However, this season with improved players and young players taking a step up could they could be better? They are one of best teams in the Western Conference and have proved it but have they been better without Luka Doncic; their future MVP?

Since the arrival of Kyrie Irving Luka Doncic’ usage has dropped and has been even greater since last season dropping by 4.3%. His ball usage is at its lowest since his rookie season and this season has allowed for more ball movement, without Luka having the ball in his hands, given the rise of role players like Gafford, PJ Washington, Lively, Prosper and the acquisition of Klay Thompson it has meant that it has been easy to win without Luka Doncic as they have other options who can play-make and create their own shot. Prosper has also began to emerge in his few minutes and has often been there to grab offensive boards and put back dunks, also getting up shots essential to floor spacing. This has provided them with a rising offensive option and his game can only develop more. This also applies for Lively who, since they drafted him in the first year of Kyries tenure, has become an excellent glass-cleaner, defender and rim runner; being the glue man for the Mavericks in the front court. PJ Washington has been hitting his threes and if a team with Luka and Kyrie can have amazing role players there doesn’t seem to be a reason they don’t win? However, a lot of the offensive burden has been carried by Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. The risk of signing Klay Thompson has started to ring true with his streaky shooting coming into play in recent games and has only made 10 threes in his past 5; having 3 games shooting below career average and shot 0-8 against the Denver Nuggets. A game the Mavericks were lucky to walk away with the win in. Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets fought back from a 17 point deficit but the Mavericks were able to come out on top without Luka Doncic, with the help of Kyrie. Thompson has been averaging 34.5% in the past 5 which is below his career numbers from deep. However, Thompson is still one of the greatest shooters of all time and was amazing to start the season breaking the record for 3 pointers made in a debut for the Mavericks.

With their options doimg what they should they could be one of the most dominant teams in the Western Conference this season as they have already proved their competitiveness. However, it could be argued their performances are better without Luka Doncic. When playing without Luka, Kyrie has been the playmaker and scorer lifting the team to victories and performing amazingly. But isn’t Luka the future MVP?

Without Luka Doncic the Mavericks are 3-1 but 7-7 with him. This season a narrative portraying Luka as a greedy shooter and poor defender has given the reason for this record and if he continues to affect winning by the end of the season the narrative may have been proved true. Games this season have portrayed Luka as a poor defender in the paint and is rated 234th in defensive rating. He can be a liability if he is shooting but not hitting but seems to play by the rule of: shooter’s shoot. His defence has often come under criticism but it’s surprising to see one of the greatest scorers in the NBA facing critique for what he is good at.

The Mavericks star man has been criticised because of his teams performance’s without him and Kyrie has been amazing with Doncic but, he is able to come more into the game as a playmaker when Luka isn’t playing and although he is part of one of the best guard duos in the league, he is more consistent and confident without the Mavericks star man. Kyrie averages more usage at 30.2% which is evident with a ball dominant guard like Doncic not playing. But, without Luka also he averages more points and assists; looking a lot better without his fellow superstar. Luka is an offensive force but it could be argued that his offensive game can be very Luka-centric and if he isn’t scoring the team isn’t winning. Luka takes greedy shots where he is guarded or not open and although there are moments where these shots are always going to go in, when they aren’t it can cost the team games.

However, they have often finished 3rd or 4th in the conference and still pushed for the Conference Finals, you can never doubt a team that has Luka Doncic. Both him Klay and Kyrie have proved themselves time after time in the playoffs and last season lots of their role players played integral roles to them making it to the finals, and they’re all performing the same this season if not better. If Klay Thompson can be a splash brother and they perform in the playoffs like we know they can, there is no reason they can’t still be great but the narratives coming into play this season won’t help them or their team morale to win a championship.