The Lakers Committed Two Blunders Defending Luka Doncic, And Darvin Ham Acknowledged One Of Them

Image Source: Instagram To End Regulation, The Lakers Committed Two Blunders Defending Luka Doncic, And Darvin Ham Acknowledged One Of Them

[{"selector":"#anim-4083a783-ea4c-4208-8991-cf7fb3ba1585 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-73d9efa8-a787-4235-9381-c281a5ad65e1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f65deb39-a17e-4710-b784-6ca8caa4e6a1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 171.87925%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram To End Regulation, The Lakers Committed Two Blunders Defending Luka Doncic, And Darvin Ham Acknowledged One Of Them

[{"selector":"#anim-99402105-f7f1-49ff-a02b-9b07b2443574 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90e27d6f-bb8d-4fa4-9069-9f5228dafced","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2f4a52ab-309e-46f0-8409-e11fdd693271","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 144.01709%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The Lakers blitzed Doncic throughout of the second half. He stopped scoring. He hadn't scored since 5:22 of the third quarter, a 17-minute slump. That approach is harmful. Double-teaming Doncic leaves a shooter open. Luka finds shooters.

[{"selector":"#anim-75d018fe-ef19-40b1-942e-e18d7c26aa54 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0daeafa-a44d-4a58-8586-5c454851408d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f597a10-c938-4f6e-a7ae-75f1f09484f5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 169.78320%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Ham chose to guard Luka instead of one of Dallas' several 3-point shooters with a three-point lead. His first error. Ham later confirmed.

[{"selector":"#anim-3d76da7b-71da-46ae-86cf-ab6b1b425565 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.947916453971985%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-034a9567-bad8-4d28-9a4f-921e3b796452","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ddcfc74c-d87c-4313-9113-c5592cf4ca47","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 169.78320%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram "I'm kicking my butt," Ham remarked. "That need better coaching. We should've blitzed Luka. Forced him inside the 3-point line."

[{"selector":"#anim-63b3f295-91d8-450c-8619-942e8bc0b5bd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-27a2fa1d-1dea-4d40-af87-7e0bad319103","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5347954d-1733-49dd-93ff-534db61686b9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 144.01709%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Ham is right on both counts, not in hindsight. Doncic isn't a strong 3-point shooter, but when the game is on the line, statistics don't matter. Iceman. Too often. If you defend him one-on-one, he'll get a clear look at a game-tying 3.

[{"selector":"#anim-86071718-1e6d-43af-8858-a7e6feb5f826 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.947916453971985%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a7b0159-9d2e-4489-868c-790cce7ef81f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9ddcaf27-6ae5-47c4-9e36-b3d71a30c24b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 144.01709%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Conventionally supported because Ham's other point is correct. Why is Dennis Schroder playing between Luka and the hoop if he's going to defend him one-on-one? Why teams don't back shooters like Doncic in these circumstances is beyond me.

[{"selector":"#anim-39a5a9ba-8369-43b4-a9ae-d5de921c4497 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.947916453971985%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3432c69-7eb7-4be0-88fe-c1df55e7d27b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85b9d7ca-e9f0-47f4-ada9-c788f1ccd3bd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 137.15730%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram He's inbounding. He'll come collect it right away. If you're Schroder, jump out high before it happens, or if you're Russell Westbrook, who was sagging way off Doncic on the inbound, which gave him a free run at the dribble handoff, chase hard behind Luka from the backside.

[{"selector":"#anim-d9620209-e61d-4403-9add-26b7e5703294 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a15204b0-5126-4f9d-bd52-835cdc1508f6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87a09162-9cc2-424e-ac4c-90f189f98383","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 169.78320%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Give Luka a red carpet to the rim and don't help off shooters. He scores in the paint, so what? Two points don't harm. What hurts? This ...

[{"selector":"#anim-d6246273-4d48-4d20-8798-704e0915eab3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26999d2d-2f58-45d8-acea-d58577f67da8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1bec7c1-516a-4d43-a2b0-df16386d1df8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 169.78320%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Give Luka a red carpet to the rim and don't help off shooters. He scores in the paint, so what? Two points don't harm. What hurts? This ...

[{"selector":"#anim-34f07e0a-f5f1-4fdc-ac96-3db31960bf7f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c312204a-436b-4be4-8b36-f9d77f546f2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e9319856-21a9-4653-9d8c-28090a069606","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 137.15730%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram That knotted the game again, as expected. Nobody doubted Luka's shot after it left his hand. If Ham had doubled Luka, another Maverick might have made the same shot. Unknown. I'd still take my chances with anyone other than Doncic, but even better, I wouldn't give anyone that shot.

[{"selector":"#anim-30ee55ae-75c6-4485-824a-162c546de729 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ec04f66-c7a2-4718-b179-9a2af2482f01","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e32ad0e0-dab7-4631-afc7-5fb605924432","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.85930%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram That you can purposely foul while you're ahead by three points to prevent a game-tying shot is the dumbest part of NBA basketball, in my opinion. However, rules are rules. Schroder had plenty time to foul Doncic before he could shot. Ham's other blunder was not encouraging his team to use this stupid, statistically just manoeuvre. He denied that.

[{"selector":"#anim-0ec403ac-7080-4183-be5c-7d14cd42d3aa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e9877b3d-8c9f-41aa-8451-910b088ac33f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae84104e-858f-4038-abcd-c8af97c90f23","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.04037%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram "We weren't aiming to foul," Ham added. "Trusting our five defenders."

[{"selector":"#anim-7174bfc6-7ac6-43d1-8a08-32e9afe6b1cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5c6130ff-82c8-40e0-a148-e4439c5465ba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-246e2b57-dc59-465d-8ae1-d81c6eab0a7c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 138.92668%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Coaches have various opinions. Some foul up three; others don't. Don't-foul group baffles me. Three points equalise. None. I know Luka intentionally missed a free throw and made the put-back to send the game to OT, but that is much less plausible than him hitting a step-back 3.

[{"selector":"#anim-bdb9a133-51cd-4fa3-92fc-3cc9ebc8adea [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1c0e74e-509b-4566-8503-d0deaa082e08","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01e0752a-c882-44b7-bbad-add4b7172666","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 138.92668%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram There was yet time. Lakers foul at eight or nine seconds. Luka makes both (which would have been no guarantee; he had just missed two flagrant foul shots earlier in the quarter). After the Mavs foul, the Lakers must convert two free throws to go up three or tie without requiring a 3-pointer.

[{"selector":"#anim-4347aa2c-0977-495a-bd27-6d858d365d2e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d656ea73-6f4c-4c29-aa0d-d76b6693065a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aca6fb00-a985-45cb-8a2f-3ed106ca30d3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 156.65568%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Did Ham trust his defenders? Was he doubtful about the Lakers' free throws? These are valid points, but you foul with 10 seconds left and a three-point lead. Especially against Luka Doncic.

[{"selector":"#anim-b2603b33-d3f7-4298-b1c3-4c472e53e8d3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.90624987200394%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1e7d3af6-bc51-4aff-ba45-35972af8d68e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-37513db0-269d-4fdd-9a42-9814750ca724","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 156.65568%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Lakers didn't foul. No double either. They showed Doncic his best shot. They paid. Luka hit another game-tying three with just a minute left in the first overtime to emphasise his point.