Getty Image / Sam Hodde
At his best, Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Dončić is a joy to watch. The Slovenian is one of the most gifted offensive players to ever pick up a basketball.
I’ll be the brave soul to say it
I miss watching Luka Dončić play basketball pic.twitter.com/h5cPs0ODFX
— Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 (@MavsFilmRoom) March 20, 2023
LUKA DONCIC IS A HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL pic.twitter.com/ykedAT0Eip
— All Things Mavs (@All_Things_Mavs) December 10, 2022
Luka Doncic was in his bag against the Houston Rockets and dropped 39 PTS. Full highlights. Unguardable 😤 pic.twitter.com/lTcTw12lQv
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) January 3, 2023
But, the Mavericks have been struggling this year, despite strong play from Luka. The team hovered around .500 for much of the season, before making a big move in early February by acquiring embattled, yet prodigiously talented, guard Kyrie Irving . But, they’ve been worse since the trade, having gone just 7-12 since Iriving made his debut. They now find themselves out of the playoffs in the Western Conference, as they are now in the 11th spot, one spot out of the play-in series.
Things hit a nadir on Friday night, when the Mavs and Luka hosted the lowly Charlotte Hornets. But, the team lost to the Hornets, 117-109, and it’s truly at rock bottom.
This team doesn’t care, because kidd doesn’t care. He has zero energy, so they have zero energy. But hey, keep acting like he’s not the problem.
— RoofGod (@RoofGod1984) March 25, 2023
A 16-point home favorite losing to a team that is tanking. The Kyrie Curse.
— Charles Meshell (@ROICapper1) March 25, 2023
Congrats Cuban and Kidd, that’s what you deserve it. Destroyed the season.
How Kidd still has a job
— Cristiano Ronaldo News (@CRonaldoNews) March 25, 2023
And, after the game, Luka was very sad.
Luka: “I used to have fun, smiling on the court, but now it’s just been frustrating”
One month with Kyrie and Luka’s smile is gone.
pic.twitter.com/CKaV9wywEx— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 25, 2023
Wow, turns out a month with human fun vacuum Kyrie Irving can really take a toll on even Luka Doncic. Who could’ve possibly predicted this? Everyone, actually.
This is what Kyrie does. The same guy who was legitimately angry in the locker room after he won an NBA title.
— Casual Taker (@QueefSt) March 25, 2023
Is any team gonna learn lol it’s always the same with Kyrie
— Anthony (@roosterman1997) March 25, 2023
That being said, the NBA needs Luka and the Mavs in the playoffs, because he’s too fun to watch to be sitting at home.