Luka: ‘I played terrible,’ but proud of Mavs’ run

SAN FRANCISCO — Luka Doncic’s preliminary response to the tip of the longest playoff run of his younger NBA profession was to specific disappointment in himself.

“I do not like shedding, particularly like this,” Doncic mentioned after the Dallas Mavericks have been eradicated Thursday evening with a 120-110 Sport 5 loss to the Golden State Warriors. “I performed horrible.”

Doncic completed his remaining recreation of the season with 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, but it surely was a efficiency that fell far in need of his excessive requirements, particularly in potential elimination video games. He was solely 10-of-28 from the ground, together with 3-of-13 from 3-point vary, and often didn’t get again on protection after his misses.

Doncic scored 15 factors because the Mavs rallied within the third quarter, however Dallas could not overcome a deficit that swelled to 25 factors partly as a consequence of his poor efficiency within the first half, when he was simply 2-of-12 from the ground with three turnovers.

However, it was the tenth time in these playoffs that Doncic led Dallas in factors, rebounds and assists, breaking the report set by LeBron James in 2013 for essentially the most such outings in a single postseason. He averaged 31.7 factors, 9.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists to steer the Mavericks, who had final gained a playoff sequence throughout the franchise’s 2011 championship run, to the Western Convention finals.

“If we speak about our season, I am actually happy with this staff — all people, each participant, each workers member,” Doncic mentioned. “No person had us right here. However I promise we fought till the tip. Congratulations to Warriors. They have been clearly the higher staff. However I am actually happy with this staff.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr described Doncic as “not possible to protect.” At 23, Doncic has already confirmed to be a traditionally elite offensive risk within the playoffs, becoming a member of Wilt Chamberlain as the one gamers in NBA historical past to common not less than 30 factors per recreation in every of their first three postseasons, based on ESPN Stats & Info.

Doncic mentioned he is assured that the Mavs are “on an important path” to grow to be a championship staff, however he mentioned he must make vital strides defensively for the staff to achieve these heights.

“I believe protection has received to be means higher for me,” mentioned Doncic, who was often focused by playoff opponents. “Truthfully, I believe I made an enormous step this yr defensively, however there’s a lot room for enchancment. I’ve received to be means higher there. I believe that is one spot that may take us to the following degree.”

Doncic additionally mentioned the “nice relationship” he developed with first-year Mavs coach Jason Kidd, a Corridor of Fame level guard whose on-court management performed a key function within the Mavs’ lone title. He emphasised his belief of Kidd, who publicly challenged Doncic on a number of events this season, resembling calling him out for arguing with referees as an alternative of working again on protection and difficult him to “take part” on protection.

Doncic earned his third consecutive first-team All-NBA choice regardless of having to play his means into form. He reported to coaching camp weighing greater than 260 kilos for the second consecutive season, and he did not carry out like an MVP candidate till after taking three weeks off in December to get better from recurring ankle sprains and work on his conditioning.

Kidd did not particularly point out Doncic when relaying the postgame message that he delivered to the Mavs within the locker room, but it surely appeared to be meant for the celebrity, who will spend a lot of the offseason taking part in for the Slovenian nationwide staff.

“Now it is about, what’s our urge for food come subsequent season?” Kidd mentioned. “Are we going to tiptoe into the season or are we going to be hungry? Then, are we going to coach this summer time to know what it means to play into Might and June? As a result of it is a lengthy season.”

Doncic has made regular enhancements since his Rookie of the Yr marketing campaign, resembling including a Dirk Nowitzki-esque one-legged fadeaway and sharpening his floater. Mavs administration anticipates that Doncic will return to Dallas with much more.

“That is what the nice ones do,” Mavs governor Mark Cuban mentioned. “He is a top-three, top-one, top-two participant on this league, and he’ll proceed to get higher. Some guys, who they’re is who they’re. That is not Luka. Luka will proceed to get higher.”