How Luka Doncic attacks defenses by going sideways

Luka Doncic scored 60 points in a triple-double win over the Knicks on December 27, 2022, but it was his 22 point game against the Nuggets a few weeks earlier that caught my eye. This detailed film breakdown & scouting report analyzes how the Mavericks MVP candidate attacks "hedges" in the pick-and-roll -- commonly used by Nikola Jokic -- and why his size and patience make him so hard to stop, even when he's double-teamed.

Twitter: @elgee35

Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.

Music by csus (instrumental)

#ThinkingBasketball

[Soosss]

It’s hard to tell which is better at times, his playmaking or scoring.. luka is a special talent

[SWANK-SAN]

I think his IQ is his most dangerous weapon. He’s constantly manipulating defenses like a puppet master. Combine that with his slow paced scoring & amazing touch w/ his frame. The way he puts it all together is true talent.

[KleinpeterHank]

“The old 60 point 20 rebound triple double”

I was surprised that Wilt never had a game like that.

[kiilamayne]

He also barely leaves the ground, his longevity will be improved from the way he plays. He knows space very well. One of the most unique players to watch and he's still so young and improving rapidly.

[Aaron_WashingtonNTC]

This is what makes Luka such a ridiculous talent...his blend of scoring and passing. No matter what defensive coverage he has to deal with, he is going to be able to have a significant impact on the game. The greats find ways to contribute to winning even if the jumpshot isn't falling. With the way his career is panning out so far, Luka is on track to be one of the very greatest the game has ever seen.

[FinalQueue]

I'm appreciating every game of Luka i can, because time flies' man and next thing we know we're 15 years into his career. Just hope he got us multiple titles by then (pending we finally get him a co-star)

[JDub]

i appreciate this channel so much. I felt like I actually understood the reads Luka was making because the breakdown was so concise. Makes you appreciate how crazy it is to make these reads in real-time game speed. i cant imagine the sheer amount of reps it takes for these actions to become muscle memory/read-and-react

[behindthearcyt]

luka scoring his fun to watch but his playmaking is even more fun to watch some of the passes and reads he makes are incredible and always has me wondering how did he see that guy open😭

[a.rad_music]

Glad yall are posting frequently again. Missed the content this summer

[georgekirby]

That Luka C Wood pick n roll has the potential to be a special kind of duo in the league.

[knep]

I need a Dallas Denver playoff series.

[nathanharrell]

I'd really enjoy a video where you show some of your favorite examples of Luka's "micro ball-fakes". I've heard Ben mention before a few times how Luka's so good at these "micro ball-fakes", and there was a clip in this video where Luka's highlighted disguising a lob in the pnr as if he's going to whip the ball over his head to the corner. And the cleverness, let alone dexterity to pull that off, even though the defender doesn't bite to the corner (and it still doesn't matter) to pull that off just blows me away. I'd love to see more of that, like slowed down and analyzed to show how Luka's able to create space for himself and others, moving defenders in clever little ways. It's really high level stuff.

[candaniel]

I don't watch a lot of basketball, but I still appreciate witnessing great talents and amazing artists in their respective fields of excellence, no matter what. Luka seems to be one of those upcoming players who will have a big impact on his sport. Witnessing someone get into the flow state and excell at what they do effortlessly, is just so immeasurably satisfying.

[shaylerneal]

Your content is unparalleled. Just brilliant attention to detail and you have a nice way of looking at the game and the talent in it, which breathes through it.

[SeanDaNerd]

I’ve been learning so much about lesser known things to add to my game from you guys. Stuff like off ball screening so they can’t close out the shooter.

Generally over helping on D is one I pick up from a lot of your vids

[mylesmoneyman]

That last game winning play by the mavs was magical! Thank you for the breakdown

[Dravileyen]

That was Finney-Smith at 4:15. Great breakdown!

[yungpanther]

Around 4:10, you reference the dribble to behind the back pass into the open miss and quote it as hardaway but it’s Finney-Smith

[Jakob-W]

I bet Jokic and Luka enjoy watching each other play. they both think at such a high level it must be cool to see that passing magic from a 3rd person perspective. Would be cool to see them play in an all star game together or something

[tyjohnson]

We need more defensive breakdowns on this channel. A lot of channels steer away from defense but it’s more important now than ever.

This “1 man zone” concept would have never been able to happen under the guise of “illegal defense” and I find it hilarious when we try to compare offenses to each other historically for that simple fact.

I enjoy the videos you do on the evolution of the rules.
Please tap into that more.