Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd believes Luka Doncic would benefit from focusing less on the officiating, Tim MacMahon of ESPN writes. Doncic frequently holds discussions with the referees, taking his attention away from other on-court matters.
“I would lean toward playing 5-on-5 a bit more,” Kidd explained. “You’re not going to get any calls. Officials, they tend to not stop the game to change calls. You have to understand there’s a point in time in games — dead balls — to be able to talk to officials.
“While the game is going on, transition defense is one of the things we’ve talked about that we have to get better. If we’re lobbying for calls during live play, it puts us in harm’s way. … Just some things have got to be a little bit more important. I think we’re going to get better at understanding as a team when to talk to officials. Not just Luka.”
As MacMahon notes, Doncic agreed with his coach’s advice. The Mavericks are just 11-11 and have lost seven of their last nine games.
There’s more from the Southwest Division tonight:
- Christian Clark of NOLA.com examines why Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas has worked to expand his range. Valanciunas has made 30 of his 65 three-point attempts (46%) this season, good for one of the league’s best clips. The most threes he has ever made in a season is 32 (in 2019/20). “The big guy is evolving by being able to stretch the floor and shoot the 3,” Valanciunas said. “Being able to handle the ball. Those things, I wanted to add to my game as well. I don’t want to disappear. I want to be successful in this league. Whatever it takes to be successful.”
- Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane recorded 29 points and nine rebounds to help defeat the Mavericks on Saturday. After the contest, Bane reflected on the Mavericks passing over him in the 2020 draft, as relayed by Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News. “I mean, Josh Green was drafted in front of me,” Bane said. “I don’t know if he played tonight, but that’s on them. That’s not on me.”
- Spurs guard Dejounte Murray is taking a leap with the franchise this season, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News writes. Murray is averaging a career-high 19.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game, shooting 45% from the floor.
The Mavs wanted Bane and were expecting him to be there with the 31 pick. The Celtics took him one pick before.
I like Bane. He is strong, and a good 3 pt shooter
Usually if a player is 6’6”, wing span is 7 feet
Bane is 6’6”, his wing span is 6’4”
Short arm
“The Mavericks are just 11-11 and have lost three of their last 10 games.” I think you mean to put won, not lost.
lol. shaw deja vued his clippers article.
Sixers should be trying to get Dejounte for Ben Simmons.
Swap one point guard that can’t shoot for another?
Ben is a better passer, rebounder and defender than Murray. He was second in DPOY, a three time all star and all nba third team. The potential on Ben is still sky high if only he gets a shot.
Murray is a solid player but he’s not in the same category as Ben. He will be lucky to get a couple all star games and dreams of making an all nba team.
One is playing and one is not. Murray is a decent centerpiece.
Murray has already been in the All-Defensive team… & his stats this year are unbelievable!
As a matter of fact right now I would take Murray over Dame every day of the week & twice on Sunday!
Don’t even get me started with Murray been much younger than Dame as well!
Arrogant much Mr Bane?
Bitter much Mr Bane?
Come on dude you ain’t that good… yet anyway, maybe one day!
But disappointments in life, as he seems to be very hard done by DAL, should help you be better not bitter my friend, that should be your goal!
When youre averaging 15.9/4.3/2.0 you can definitely take shots at teams that passed you over, esp when you hang 29 on them. Lot of guys play with chips on their shoulder in all sports to prove the doubters wrong.
Fair dinkum! But still he hasn’t made a name for himself, he might wanna be someone first… either way I don’t care, just think that people should let their game talk, opening his mouth just makes him look not so good!
I don’t remember Luka whining so much before.I hate seeing great players flopping and exaggerating being fooled with the endless cring.Don’t be LeBron,shut up and ball.