NBA Coach Declares Luka Doncic League's 'Hardest Guy' to Game-Plan Against

One NBA coach described Mavs superstar Luka Doncic as the "hardest guy" in the league to game-plan against for a defense.

MEMPHIS — Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic has solidified himself as one of the NBA's premier talents, earning four consecutive All-NBA First-Team appearances. He has a reputation as being a supremely challenging player to stop. 

Before Doncic went on to record 32 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists in the Mavs' 125-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, coach Chauncey Billups described the Slovenian superstar as likely being the NBA's "hardest guy" to game-plan against for a defense.

“He’s probably the hardest guy to game-plan for in the league because you can play him perfectly and it not matter,” Billups said. “He’s just that good. He really is. There are certain players in the league that even if you play good [defense] and they miss the shot, most of the time they just missed the shot. It wasn’t the defense."

With Doncic being a 6-foot-7 guard with a big frame capable of hitting step-back 3s, using a masterful change of pace on drives, playing out of the post, and making precise reads before a no-look live-dribble pass, he does so much as a scorer and passer all while posing nightmares for about any matchup.

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic during the 2023-24 NBA season.  / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The particular detail Billups focused on that makes Doncic a daunting player to prepare to contain is the size, patience, and passing talent he poses, where he can see over the top of blitzing in ball screen coverage.  

"He’s so big, if you blitz him, he can see over the top of it, knows where it’s coming from," Billups said. "He can do it all. But that doesn’t discourage us from trying it all.”

Doncic is producing yet another highly impressive season while leading the Mavs to a 13-8 start to their campaign. He's averaged 31.9 points, 8.7 assists, and 8.4 rebounds in 20 games, placing him on track to become the first and only player since Oscar Robertson to average 30-8-8 in multiple seasons.