NBA (DR)

Unplayable throughout the season, Luka Doncic caused a lot of problems for his defenders without them really finding a solution to stop him. At the dawn of the Finals, LeBron James gave some advice that the Celtics could use against the Mavericks superstar.

If Dallas reached the Finals, it is thanks in particular to the immense talent of Luka Doncic .

Although he had to settle for a runner-up place in the race for MVP, the latter was able to comfort himself by winning the title of best scorer of the season.

But in addition to being a prolific scorer with an average of 33.9 points, the Slovenian is also a passing magician.

9.8 caviars per game for his teammates were delivered by him this season.

The Celtics will therefore be facing a most efficient scorer, with exceptional vision of the game.

What to do when faced with a player with such a wide technical palette?

Always faithful to the post with JJ Redick in the Mind The Game podcast , LeBron James shared his opinion on how to defend as best as possible against the Texan.

How to defend on Luka Doncic according to LeBron

The best way to stop Luka Doncic? It’s to put pressure on him directly when he tries a pick & roll in my opinion.

The reason I say that is that switching doesn’t work, because the Mavs don’t often pick and roll between smaller players.

Most of the time, they do it between the leader and the center. Therefore, the other defender is less mobile.

They’re trying to draw the inside towards Luka and that’s something he loves.

So I know that switching is not the best solution. We saw it against the Wolves in the Western Conference final.

And if you try to abandon the pick & roll, Luka is too strong and with his size, he makes you a hostage in a prison. And then you ask inside to make a decision.

“Should I help?” Do I need to cover ground? » As soon as you try to help, he’ll throw a lob to Daniel Gafford, Derek Lively, or he’ll pass in the corner for a three-pointer.

What I do is choose by process of elimination. I think we need to put pressure on Luka and let the pivot decide during the pick & roll. We survive thanks to these chances.

If the Celtics were attentive to LeBron’s words and if they consider him legitimate enough to have the answer, which should not raise too many doubts, they will try to block Luka Magic’s offensives thanks to maximum pressure on pick & roll.

We will soon know if the King’s advice proves useful to the extent that it is implemented.

Facing the Celtics during these Finals will stand the unstoppable Luka Doncic.

However, the Eastern champions will surely have no other choice than to stop the leader of the Mavericks to win.

And according to LeBron James, it will depend on how they defend on pick & rolls.