The Phoenix Suns torched Luka Doncic in the pick-and-roll which helped lead to their 129-109 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd was not shy about discussing the Suns gameplan after the game.

“It’s no secret, they’re going to put him in every pick-and-roll,” Kidd declared. “[Opponents] did the same thing with Dirk [Nowitzki] until he participated and stuck up for himself.”

Kidd's comments feel like a challenge to Luka Doncic. Obviously, Luka isn't going anywhere. He is the team's best offensive player and is one of the best talents in the NBA. But Jason Kidd might be doing his best to publicly motivate his superstar on the defensive end.

It isn't as if Luka Doncic is playing a lazy brand of basketball. He is simply getting beat by the Suns elite pick-and-roll attack. Chris Paul is the best point guard to run the traditional pick-and-roll since John Stockton did it with Karl Malone in the 90's. And the point guards happen to be considered two of the best to ever play the position. So faulting Doncic for failing to keep up is a difficult thing to do.

But he is going to need to find a way to better moving forward. Teams attacked Dirk Nowitzki in the same manner before he began figuring out ways to combat it.

One of the main reasons Doncic seemingly labored was miscommunication. Oftentimes, the Suns would run the pick-and-roll with Chris Paul and another player and Doncic would get caught dead in his tracks, failing to close out or switch on someone.

If the Mavs and Luka Doncic can communicate at a more effective level that may be the key to containing the Suns' offensive gameplan.