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Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks have lost seven of their last eight games, including their last three. Dallas is only 9-16 since trading for Irving and has dropped to 11th in the Western Conference, which puts them outside of the play-in tournament.
Heading into their matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, Doncic had this to say about what ails the Mavericks:
“I don’t think offense is the problem and I lalways said this. It’s our defensive end. I think anybody can score on us. Whoever it is, anybody can score on us."
The Dallas Mavericks were already struggling on defense before losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Brooklyn Nets during the Irving deal. They were 24th in the NBA in defensive rating with a 114.9 mark. Since acquiring the mercurial point guard, that number has dropped to 119.7, the worst in the league.
During the Mavericks’ current 1-7 slide, their defensive rating has been a horrific 121.2. Dallas is even worse on defense than the lowly 20-59 San Antonio Spurs, who own a 119.0 DRTG.
On the flip side, their offensive rating during the same stretch has spiked to 120.0, the best mark in the league. They are slightly better than the Sacramento Kings, their next opponents, who have a 119.1 ORTG.
Anytime either Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving struggle to put up points, the Dallas Mavericks have almost no chance of winning games.
Luka Doncic is losing patience
Most basketball analysts felt like the Dallas Mavericks’ acquisition of Kyrie Irving was a desperate move. Luka Doncic was reportedly fed up with the Mavs’ disappointing season after reaching the Western Conference finals.
Irving has been playing quite well. He is not the biggest reason why Dallas is struggling. “Uncle Drew,” however, has also not made the Mavericks any better than before the blockbuster trade.
Luka Doncic admitted that he thought the Mavericks were going to get better. They have gone the opposite way and are currently outside looking in on the race for the play-in spot.
After a 129-122 loss to the Miami Heat on Apr. 1, Doncic’s frustrations seemed to boil over:
“Yeah, it’s really frustrating. I think you can see it with me on the court. Sometimes I don’t feel it’s me. I’m just being out there. I used to have fun, smiling on the court, but it’s just been frustrating.”
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly considering shutting down Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. “Luka Legend,” however, told the media that he wasn't going to quit.
Here’s what he had to say to reporters before Wednesday night’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings:
“No, I’m playing tomorrow (against Sacramento). When there’s still a chance, I’m going to play. So, that’s not going to happen yet.”
“There’s little chance. We all know that. But, like I said, as long as there’s a chance, I’ll play.”
And despite his near MVP-level play, he points the finger at no one but himself:
“I’m the leader of this team. The one to blame is me.”
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks’ season are over if they lose one of their remaining three games.
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