The Dallas Mavericks are right on the brink of elimination. But it's hard to pin any blame of Luka Doncic.
The Mavs superstar has averaged 34 points per contest in Games 1 through 3 against the Golden State Warriors, all of which resulted in losses. Most outside observers point to the lack of quality depth on Dallas' roster as to why they just don't have enough to overcome a stacked Warriors squad.
Max Kellerman, however, had a rather eye-opening take on the Mavs' struggles. According to the ESPN analyst, Luka Doncic just doesn't have the same uplifting effect on his teammates as some other NBA legends like Magic Johnson or Larry Bird had.
But JJ Redick, himself a one-time Dallas Maverick, didn't take that slight on Doncic sitting down. He had the perfect response to Luka failing to carry his team the same way other NBA icons have.
“Let's hold on a second. Luka doesn't make people better? Magic or Bird, they played with Hall of Famers, man. Luka is playing on a team with rotation players with 2nd round picks, undrafted guys like Dorian Finney-Smith. His shot quality created for his Mavs teammates in the last two seasons, #1 in the NBA. They're shooting 33% on wide open threes. It's not his fault they can't make shots,” said Redick.
It's hard to argue with JJ Redick on this one. While the Celtics and Lakers of the 80s were loaded will Hall of Fame talent, there's not a single player on the Mavs roster who could even sniff an All-Star team. Jalen Brunson, bless his overachieving soul, just isn't a number two option on a championship winning team at this point.
There are reasons why Luka Doncic's current run has drawn comparisons to LeBron James' early Cavaliers days. The Mavs just aren't built like a championship team just yet.
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