In a recent interview following the Dallas Mavericks ' loss to the Boston Celtics, Luka Doncic offered a unique perspective on the challenge of defending the Boston team, especially when they deploy a lineup of five players with perimeter shooting capability, regardless of whether they play small or use two big men.
"Practically everyone is a laser, everyone can shoot, everyone can make it, so it's tough. It's a different coverage than any other game. We almost always have five players outside the paint, so it's tough. We should've done better in our schemes... It's tough to guard those players," Doncic remarked.
The talented Slovenian guard acknowledged the challenge posed by the Celtics on both defense and offense. "That's why they are the number 1 or number 2 defense in the NBA. They have offense and defense. I think that's the best team in the NBA right now. And it's tough on both ends, for sure," Doncic added.
The Mavericks' defeat against the Celtics underscored Boston's defensive solidity and offensive talent, led by players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis. Despite Luka Doncic's outstanding performance, the Dallas team couldn't find openings against the Celtics' staunch defense.
The combination of talent, versatility, and defensive cohesion make the Celtics a formidable opponent in the NBA this season. Doncic's insight into the difficulty of facing them provides valuable perspective on the level of competition in the league and the respect teams have for Boston's performance on both ends of the court.