Shaquille O’Neal picked the Mavericks to defeat the Celtics and win the NBA championship and explained why he prefers the Mavs. Simply put, he doesn’t think that the Celtics have anyone on their roster who can guard Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving will be motivated to play against his former team.
“The Celtics do not have three or four guys that can guard Luka. I like Dallas in this series. I like the way they play. I think this is a little special for Kyrie, maybe a little special for Porzingis as I know he used to play for Dallas. I like Dallas in this series.”
“The Celtics do not have three or four guys that can guard Luka. I like Dallas in this series. I like the way they're playing.”
Shaq makes his NBA Finals pick 🔮 pic.twitter.com/uyZBQ2rrTt
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 31, 2024
Shaq was then asked about his perspective as a big man on a series that is going be defined by its smaller players. He took the chance to further praise Luka and explain how his deceptive size and strength will play to his advantage, and that the Celtics cannot risk their best players guarding Luka as they could get in foul trouble, and that Jrue Holiday wasn’t big enough to guard Doncic.
“I’ve been sitting on the floor and I’ve been anxious to see Luka… Big body, bigger than I thought he was. Stronger than I thought he was. Once he gets you on the side, sort of like a big man, he does whatever he wants. Plays with poise, and he can’t be shook.”
“The fact that he’s been a professional player since he was 13 years old, nothing shakes him. I don’t see anybody on Boston dealing with that. Maybe Tatum, but if I’m Boston, I don’t want to get Tatum or Brown in foul trouble. I think Jrue Holiday is too little (to guard Luka) in my opinion.”
Shaquille O’Neal seems to be very confident in the Mavericks’ chances against the Celtics. And while the series will not be as cut and dry as Shaq described it, he does make some very good points about the problems posed by Luka Doncic.
Luka Doncic Could Be A Problem For The Celtics
Luka Doncic and the Mavericks will pose a different challenge than the Celtics have faced throughout the playoffs. Many critics have argued that the Celtics haven’t had a difficult path to the NBA Finals, playing against a depleted Heat, and the inexperienced Cavaliers and Pacers to reach the Finals.
Whereas the Mavericks have faced off against some of the toughest teams in the Western Conference, beating the Clippers, the Thunder, and the Timberwolves to reach the Finals.
During this period, Doncic has been spectacular, averaging 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in 17 games. He has been the best player in the West during these playoffs, and one can argue that he has been the best player across the entire league during the playoffs. It will take all of the Celtics’ defensive focus to try and limit Doncic, who has defied every defensive scheme put on him by opposing players.
The Mavericks will need both Doncic and Kyrie Irving to play at the highest level possible if they want to win the NBA championship.
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