Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Luka Doncic Thinks He’s Having One Of The Best Defensive Seasons Of His Career
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Dallas Mavericks News & Analysis > Luka Doncic Thinks He’s Having One Of The Best Defensive Seasons Of His Career

Luka Doncic Thinks He’s Having One Of The Best Defensive Seasons Of His Career

Luka Doncic is not happy about fans and the media not giving him enough credit for his improved defense this season.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Dec 4, 2024
4 Min Read
Share

Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks improved to 9-1 in their last 10 games with a 121-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies tonight, securing their spot in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup quarter-finals as the Western Conference Wild Card. Luka Doncic had a great defensive outing in this clash, pulling out four steals to seal the win after a 12-point fourth-quarter comeback. 

Doncic wants everyone to give him more credit for his defense this season, claiming that he’s in the midst of arguably his best defensive season.

“Somebody’s gonna ask me about my defense! I’m trying. I think this season has been one of the best defensive seasons, I know people don’t see it but I’m trying and I’ll just get better… Just overall, little bit of everything, more energy, that’s it.”

Mavs superstar Luka Doncic on his defense:

“Somebody’s gonna ask me about my defense! I’m trying. I think this season has been one of the best defensive seasons, I know people don’t see it but I’m trying and I’ll just get better…”

Later said he is bringing “more energy” on… pic.twitter.com/UdsZcyzrct

— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) December 4, 2024

The Grizzlies game was arguably his best defensive performance of the season, but there’s a pretty rough sample size from earlier this season that shows Luka’s ineffective defense, especially on the perimeter. He’s still prone to letting guys blow past him, but the Mavericks’ interior defense has still been able to keep those possessions alive. 

Defense is hard to quantify through statistics, but whatever measurable stats we have show that Luka is in fact having one of the best defensive years of his career. 

He has a defensive rating of 109.2 this season, the third-best mark of his career behind 2021-22 (106.5) and his rookie season in 2018-19 (109.1). In terms of defensive win-shares, Doncic surprisingly leads the Mavericks in that category with 0.132, with the second-highest being P.J. Washington (0.129), who’s arguably been Dallas’ best defender this season.

Doncic is averaging 28.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game this season, but it’s important to note that his 1.8 steals per game is also the highest mark of his career. If you go by the numbers, you could argue that Doncic is an improved defender and that the hate he receives on that end is overdone.

I can’t fully commit to that idea yet. Doncic has to play high-level defense more consistently over the season to shed his reputation as a poor defender, similar to what Stephen Curry did with a similar reputation after 2021. Luka has the tools with his size, quick-thinking, and active hands, but it’s a question about consistency.

His best defensive season was easily in 2021-22, as he locked in entirely on that end, especially in the second half of the season to win 50 games for the first time in his career and then make the Western Conference Finals. 

He will always be prone to blow-bys by athletic guards and wings because he’s a slow-footed 6’8″ perimeter player, but the things that he can control like effort will go a long way in changing his reputation as a poor defender. 

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Dallas Mavericks ArchiveLuka Doncic
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByIshaan Bhattacharya
Follow:
Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
Previous Article Grading Mavericks Players After Defeating Grizzlies 121-116 Despite Kyrie Irving’s Off Night
Next Article Grading Nuggets Players After They Sneak Past The Warriors 119-115 In An Exciting Matchup
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Oct 28, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and forward Anthony Davis (3) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dallas Mavericks Trade Rumors

NBA Insider Sparks LeBron James – Dallas Mavericks Rumors With New Trade Proposal

October 8, 2025
Anthony Edwards
Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Nate Robinson Explains How Anthony Edwards Is The Second Coming Of James Harden

October 8, 2025
Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers News & Analysis

Richard Jefferson Says Players “Don’t Care” About Kawhi Leonard’s $28 Million Controversy

October 7, 2025
Oct 5, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doncic (77) watches the action from the bench during a game against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Luka Doncic Fuels Lakers Team Bonding; Hosts Porsche Driving Experience Outing

October 7, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?