Let’s take a look at some of Luka Doncic’s shots around the paint from Tuesday Night’s game vs The Pelicans in New Orleans. Luka is one of the game’s most gifted finishers that I have ever seen. Every time he shoots the ball from ANYWHERE I think there is a strong possibility that the ball will go in. He has ultimate control of the game because of the fact that he always dictates tempo. He doesn’t let anyone speed him up and he is big & strong enough to set the tone against any opponent.
With his size, touch, and basketball IQ he punishes defenders as he gets closer to the basket. Not only does he have floaters, stepbacks, and a layup package but can also back you down to the block and go to work. His hooks, face ups, & other finishes are an absolute problem. Doncic, also has fakes to get his defender off balance to add another layer to it as well.
All this while being one of the best passers that the NBA has EVER SEEN.
As a player or coach studying players, I want you to look at how Luka uses his body to clear space, but also his ability to change speeds and get to his spots. If you are a bigger & stronger guard you need to be able to initiate contact not only to score, but to draw fouls. There is plenty to watch here and add to your offensive game.
Let’s get to work!!
BUMP HOOK
When you have the size use it. Watch as he uses his strength, but also his off arm to get separation from his defender. The off-arm is important so the defender doesn’t come across the body to make a play on the ball. He does a great job getting his shoulder into the defender to open up his righty hook.
SCREEN & ROLL STEPBACK, SPIN, & STEP THROUGH
This is the ultimate blender move to put your opponents in. On the Mid Pick & Roll , Doncic uses a stepback as his sender is on his hip to clear some space. On the stepback his defender, Naji Marshall leaves his feet to contest the shot. Luka keeps his pivot foot and spins. On the spin he uses another fake to get Marshall, off his feet once again and then steps through for the finish. This move is about 12 pay grades ahead of anything that I teach, but is a great example of how to use your body, feet, and fakes to create offense.
SCREEN & ROLL EURO FINISH
On this play, Luka penetrates on the screen/roll. He gets help from a great screen by Dorian Finney Smith on Jonas Valanciunas. Not only was it good contact, but the angle of the screen made it almost impossible to make a play on the ball forcing Finney-Smith’s man, Jaxson Hayes to have the monumental task of trying to stop Doncic at the rim. He attempts to take the charge and Luka simply Euro’s for the finish. Never once did he lose control and set the tempo in the entire possession for the finish. The defense tried to take something away from him, and he simply made a counter to get to his finish.
SIDE SCREEN & ROLL BASELINE DRIVE FINISH
On the side screen & roll call, Luka’s man jumps into the ball to ICE/BLUE him away from the screen and to the baseline. Usually when this happen the big defending the screener is usually positioned to help on the drive. In this clip, Jonas Valanciunas is up on his man and there was only one defender on the weak side to they to pull over to help on the drive. The only one that was over was Jose Alvarado and he had zero chance of getting to Luka. Again, watch as he changes speed on the drive to the rim with the right finish.
POST UP DRIBBLE DROP
Another possession in the post. He uses his size to back down his defender. As he’s backing down to the middle , Doncic’s defender overplays to the middle. As this happens, Luka drops to the baseline and finishes off the glass. Notice how he uses his left elbow to hook his defender to gain an advantage dropping to the baseline. On the finish he finishes high off the glass to protect from weak side shot blockers.
SPIN STEP THROUGH
In this last clip, Doncic uses a spin and keeps his pivot foot and steps through with his left leg for the finish. When you are working on your spins , keeping your pivot foot can be a great addition to your game.
IN CLOSING
Luka impacts winning at an extremely high level. He’s a threat to score anywhere on the floor, but his ability to get to the rim and finish is ridiculous. When you are studying his game pay attention to how he uses his body to initiate contact with his defender. Also he plays with two speeds , which is one of the most important skill sets for a point guard. When studying anyone make sure you can take 1-2 things from them that you can add to your game. Hopefully this brought you some value.
Thank you for reading my content and if you need to get in touch with me ask questions about my Video Breakdown Service, please do so my emailing me at mike@hoopconsultants.com
