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What position does Doncic defend best?

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Anderson Hunt
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What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#1 » by Anderson Hunt » Wed May 14, 2025 3:26 pm

I know, I know.

NBA teams switch all the time. I get it, but head-to-head, who does he guard?

Name the team and who he matches up with.

Out of all the second round teams:
Boston - Holiday
OKC - Hartenstein or Dort
Indiana - Turner or Nesmith
Knicks - Anunoby or Hart
Cavs - Strus
Minnesota - Gobert?
Warriors - Green
Denver - Porter
Apz
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Re: What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#2 » by Apz » Wed May 14, 2025 5:58 pm

He usually defends great in the post. Last year he were like one of the best. But it doesnt really matter in po Same reason i dont believe in the must have 4 great defenders around him crowd. Does nothing if its him defending the pg
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Re: What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#3 » by stan francisco » Thu May 15, 2025 10:17 pm

Apz wrote:He usually defends great in the post. Last year he were like one of the best. But it doesnt really matter in po Same reason i dont believe in the must have 4 great defenders around him crowd. Does nothing if its him defending the pg


This is why I want a guy like Marcus Smart next to him. Max Christie would also be perfect next to Luka.
Since the 1976 merger LAL 11, CHI 6, BOS 6, SAS 5, GSW 4

PG: Luka / Vincent / Bronny
SG: Smart / Reaves / Knecht / Mañon
SF: LaRavia / Rui / Thiero
PF: Bron / Vando / Kleber
C: Ayton / Hayes / Koloko
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Re: What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#4 » by Apz » Fri May 16, 2025 3:24 pm

stan francisco wrote:
Apz wrote:He usually defends great in the post. Last year he were like one of the best. But it doesnt really matter in po Same reason i dont believe in the must have 4 great defenders around him crowd. Does nothing if its him defending the pg


This is why I want a guy like Marcus Smart next to him. Max Christie would also be perfect next to Luka.


Why? Does having 1 of them on the floor make luka a better pg defender? No, whats need is serious rimprotection that luka can steer them into
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Re: What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#5 » by stan francisco » Fri May 16, 2025 5:18 pm

Apz wrote:
stan francisco wrote:
Apz wrote:He usually defends great in the post. Last year he were like one of the best. But it doesnt really matter in po Same reason i dont believe in the must have 4 great defenders around him crowd. Does nothing if its him defending the pg


This is why I want a guy like Marcus Smart next to him. Max Christie would also be perfect next to Luka.


Why?


Both Smart and Christie are elite POA defenders who also recover well from the weak side, they can also handle switches, both are great help defenders, both get steals, both cause deflections and turnovers, and both can handle for relief. They are simply good fits for making up for Luka’s defensive shortcomings. Many other NBA players are, too. We need disruptive POA defenders to hide this ‘flaw’ of ours in the post. Dyson Daniels is another player I think would be a great fit defensively, for the same reason; he can disrupt their plan to exploit Luka next to one more great POA defender, like a Smart or a Christie. We need two. Add your suggestions.

So, we’re in 100% agreement on Luka defense strategy here. Hide him in the post. You may have been ass-using ignorance, and for good reason (KP), but how does the derogatory stuff help? :D

With two elite POA defenders (both have speed AND size) it’ll will allow JJ to actually do what you say, and which I agree with is the only strategy for Luka; bodying somebody up in the post, swiping for steals and snatching a rebound for a quick outlet pass etc. Like you say, let’s use him for what he can do the best defensively, not try to make him into a POA defender.

That would be idiotic.

Whose idea was that? Surely not mine. :D

And on the topic of big men I’ve been preaching your sermon here since Shaq left, and then since Bynum went down, then since Pau left, then since AD left. A dominant big man would be great, super effective with Luka of course. Unstoppable. Giannis and Luka could be a dynastic duo.

But without being a defensive top 3 team, why even begin to discuss offense?

OKC have 8 or 9 guys of starting caliber true two way players. To beat them, we need to have better. Top 3 defense with Luka will require four elite defenders around him, nothing less will do.
Since the 1976 merger LAL 11, CHI 6, BOS 6, SAS 5, GSW 4

PG: Luka / Vincent / Bronny
SG: Smart / Reaves / Knecht / Mañon
SF: LaRavia / Rui / Thiero
PF: Bron / Vando / Kleber
C: Ayton / Hayes / Koloko
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Re: What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#6 » by Apz » Fri May 16, 2025 11:09 pm

Mavs went to the finals last year, and only great defenders they had were the centers
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Re: What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#7 » by stan francisco » Tue May 20, 2025 3:04 am

Apz wrote:Mavs went to the finals last year, and only great defenders they had were the centers


Cool. So let’s not care about defending SGA, AntMan, Curry on the perimeter but let our bigs pick up the slack once they attack the post instead?

We tried that with D Lo and AD.

Kidd is a great defensive coach. Kyrie defends, but I don’t want to talk Mavs here. Cheers.
Since the 1976 merger LAL 11, CHI 6, BOS 6, SAS 5, GSW 4

PG: Luka / Vincent / Bronny
SG: Smart / Reaves / Knecht / Mañon
SF: LaRavia / Rui / Thiero
PF: Bron / Vando / Kleber
C: Ayton / Hayes / Koloko
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Re: What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#8 » by Michaellam1987 » Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:25 am

In the modern NBA, there are no place to hide on the court. Even Luka defends PF/C, he will be called up pick and role, and being attacked by quicker players. His speed is too slow, and can’t cover the shooter on the corner 3 as well.
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Re: What position does Doncic defend best? 

Post#9 » by Landsberger » Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:46 pm

Buffet bar.

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