Mavs Star Luka Doncic Says Max Defensive Effort 'Really Hard'

The Dallas Mavericks have sunk in the Western Conference standings due to their defensive woes and All-Star Luka Doncic knows he, and they, have to be better.

Dallas Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic is taking a lot of criticism for the team's struggles as of late.

When he was asked about what he needs to do better in games, his answer did not wholly take responsibility for his defensive woes.

"Sometimes it's really hard for me to play really hard on both ends," Doncic said. "But obviously, the defensive end I gotta be way better."

In all fairness, playing at the level that Doncic does is not easy. Doncic has the third-highest usage percentage in the NBA. He dominates the ball and is asked to create much of the offense in the pick-and-roll and transition.

The addition of All-Star Kyrie Irving was supposed to alleviate Doncic's burdens on offense and open him up for more defensive intensity, but it hasn't.

While the Mavericks are 3-3 without Doncic in the lineup since the Feb. 9 trade deadline, his play on defense hasn't tipped the scales in the right direction.

We've seen high-usage players struggle to get it done on both ends, but have also seen others excel. Since 2010, primary facilitators such as LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Wall have shouldered great scoring and playmaking loads while still playing at All-NBA defensive levels. 

While they are exceptions to the rule, they prove that maximum two-way effort can be achieved. Doncic did say he has to be way better. It's on him to work hard in the offseason. All that is known is that if he doesn't improve and galvanize his teammates, next season may tell a similar story in the win column for the Mavericks.

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