Luka Dončić, basketball’s most effective derriere, strikes back in the NBA finals

In January, Luka Dončić scored 73 points on the Atlanta Hawks, which is the fourth highest individual points tally in NBA history. After this impressive performance, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd was questioned about whether Dončić's exceptional scoring skills might interrupt the Mavericks' strategy. In response, Kidd stated that Dončić is, in fact, the foundation of their game plan.

During most of the finals, the plan for the Mavericks and their main player seemed uncertain. The team looked unbalanced, relying too much on their star guards and Dončić, who was struggling due to injuries to his chest and knees. He was playing poorly on defense, with footage showing him lazily swatting at the ball while the Celtics repeatedly scored against him. However, in Game 4, the Mavericks turned things around and won by a huge margin, becoming the ones in control. They played with urgency and determination, and suddenly, the Celtics were the ones struggling to keep up. The series is now more exciting, and the Mavericks' main player is back in top form.

To be fair, the Dallas team's supporting players also played a significant role in their recent victory. Although they were outplayed by the Boston Celtics in the first three games, they appeared more confident on Friday night. The 20-year-old Dereck Lively, with his impressive hair, achieved his second consecutive double-double. Additionally, center Daniel Gafford contributed to the scoring with an impressive alley-oop. Two Australian players on the team, Josh Green and Dante Exum, performed their best in a while. Green was a great defender, while Exum showed coolness in mid-range shots. Tim Hardaway Jr also scored several effortless threes in the final minutes of the game. Although Kyrie Irving was a strong contributor to Dallas' offensive efforts, he has historically struggled at the TD Garden, meaning that he will need to perform at his best as their series with Boston continues.

Irving conveyed a message to Dončić during Game 3 that he had support and was not alone, which turned out to be true. Dončić seemed to improve his game in reaction to his team's better performance. Prior to the game, he emphasized the importance of having fun while playing, and that sentiment was evident throughout the match. The negative behaviors displayed in the previous games were replaced by positive interactions like smiling, nodding, and joking with his teammates and coaches. It felt like a therapeutic release for the Mavericks to work out their problems on the court, and it paid off. The question remains, why didn't we see this level of Luka in the first few games?

During these finals, Dončić has proven to be a reliable offensive player, as he demonstrated by scoring the highest points in Game 4 for the third time in the series. However, in the recent game at the American Airlines Center, his defensive skills came as a surprise. In the first three games of the finals, the Celtics had continuously targeted Dončić, and the statistics had looked unfavorable for the Mavericks' star player. Dončić had allowed the Celtics to score on 67.7% of their drives, making it the highest blow-by percentage for a single defender in a playoff series over the past 10 years. But in the recently played game, Dončić’s defense skills significantly improved. He demonstrated his weight, authority, and discipline to make his nagging count and restrict Jayson Tatum, the main offensive threat of the Celtics, to only 15 points and mark him out of the game.

This blog section describes how Luka Dončić's basketball skills were on full display and showcased his amazing talent. While he may not be as surprising as someone like Nikola Jokić, who seems like an unlikely athlete, Dončić still has a unique and unrefined physicality similar to Jokić's. He is like a found object in the world of basketball, and this performance proved why he is worth watching.

In basketball, Dončić moves slowly across the court, looking almost unsteady like he's just starting to learn how to dribble or walk. However, when he starts to make his shots, it's amazing! He scores a three-point shot from a far distance, spins around, takes a quick step back, and tosses the ball off the glass through other players. He even gets free throws secured while his competitors are left scattered like bowling pins. Dončić is like other great basketball players, he always seems to have time to take a shot, make a pass, or plan his strategy. He can even take the time to argue with the referees. His shot resembles a Texas brisket, it's slow and steady. Even after he releases the ball, it travels slowly, especially from long distances. It's almost like the ball is heavy with his determination, slowly and menacingly making its way towards the hoop.

Irving and Dončić are a dynamic duo on the court, providing an exciting contrast in their playing styles. Irving is a classic and elegant player who glides effortlessly on the ball, almost becoming one with it. His shooting technique is breathtaking, launching the ball in beautiful arc shapes and delivering under the glass with ease. His scoring shots are so visually perfect that they seem like they deserve extra points. Dončić, on the other hand, is a different kind of player entirely. He is strong and sturdy like a brick, focusing more on scoring wherever he can. Unlike Irving, Dončić channels his anger into his playing, using it as a driving force to create impressive plays like seemingly impossible threes and unbelievable fadeaways.

He looks like a teenager who is still growing and has a buzzcut. Dončić plays like a tough playground player who like to bother the other team. They get really angry because he's so talented and everyone in the arena knows it too. He's always talking trash to his opponents, which is kinda funny. He didn't do it on Friday but he's done it plenty of other times and it's always entertaining. The best one was when he hit a three-pointer right in Rudy Gobert's face and then yelled at him saying "You can't guard me!"

Although Luka Dončić is an impressive scorer, his talent goes beyond just statistics. He is a unique basketball player because his hands aren't the most interesting part of his body. Instead, his head, knees, butt, and mouth are what make him stand out. His butt is especially effective in clearing the path through his opponents' defense, and many think he deserves the MVP title this season. While there is debate on whether he is the best player in the NBA, there is no denying that his butt is what makes him so effective on the court. His butt thrust in the paint allows him to make all sorts of impressive moves, including fadeaways, slipknot passes, and cheeky hooks. Basically, wherever his butt goes, the Mavericks follow. Hopefully, he can replicate his impressive performance in Boston on Friday night.

Many famous people like Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Wahlberg, and Patrick Mahomes have been spotted watching the finals from the sidelines. However, the real difference between the two teams can be seen through their supporters from the world of European soccer. Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has become friends with Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, and he was seen at TD Garden for Game 1. On the other hand, Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos cheered on his friend Dončić in Dallas. Ramos is known for his defensive skills, while Luka is more focused on style. The Celtics, like Guardiola's team, are highly organized and every player knows their role. It's a team that focuses on management and striving for perfection.

The Boston basketball team used to follow a well-planned and controlled style of play, which made them seem superior. However, after their severe loss against Dallas, it's evident that a dynamic and unpredictable style of play that heavily relies on individual talent can also dominate the court. No NBA team has ever managed to win a championship after falling behind 3-0. If Dallas manages to achieve this feat, it'll prove that individual brilliance can overcome collective teamwork. The one leading the charge for Dallas is Dončić, who is known for his intense drive and cheeky attitude on and off the court.