Evaluation by Luka Dončić on the offensive of the Lakers … so far

Luka Dončić drove past Jordan Clarkson from the right slit and pulled two additional jazz defenders in Utah. When Dončić goes out more of the real estate, he shot a non-looking, right-hand passport behind his back for a wide-wing 3-Austin-Reaves.

The pass was ridiculous – a subtle handwriter who sent the ball backwards while he drove in the opposite direction against two defenders. It is the type of cent that can be carried out less than 10 players in NBA history (one of them is Dončić’s new teammate LeBron James).

This is the type of farewell that, as soon as the offensive system of the Los Angeles Lakers has got used to, and the tendencies of the teammates of Dončić will increase the tendency of ninth rank to greater highs.

In two games with the Lakers, Dončić scored an average of 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists at 40.7/26.7/50.0 shooting in 23.5 minutes. It has a minute limitation to 30 minutes, although both games in which he played were blowouts, so that its average values ​​per 36 correspond more with its career brands: 23.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists.

Of course, these numbers and percentages are reduced. The 3-point percentage of Dončić is somewhat misleading because several grenades were handed over to him-owners, where he received a pass with less than five seconds on the gunfole-and had to be half-contested or controversial 3s on the market. After he missed six weeks because of a left -wing calf pollution and treated in one of the most shocking shops in the NBA history, it is understandable that Dončić would not look quite as if he was debuting his Lakers.

It is difficult to delete too much from a home and home series against the Utah jazz, which in the 28th defensive rating in the league and has its sights on the top of the NBA design of 2025. During the back and forth, the Laker’s coach JJ Redick noticed that jazz is primarily a switch defense that put the Lakers against their slow and weakest defenders in non-overlap.

This shows in Dončić’s strengths because he is probably the best pick-and-roll practitioner in the league. Add his knowledge of the actions and concepts of the Lakers, and the offensive of Los Angeles was relatively easy when it was on the floor.

In the first two games, the majority of the offensive possessions of Dončić came from pick-and-roll campaigns with Jaxson Hayes or Reaves to aim for Walker Kessler and Clarkson. In order to attack Utah in a similar way, the Lakers Dončić also made Hayes ahead with Hayes from Wewside Wide Pin Downs from Hayes to create Dončić the opportunity to score downhill, to score a separation for Stepback 3s or Hayes quickly to find praise.

In this example, the Lakers lead their fabric action with Reaves, who present the ball to James, and James is waiting for Dončić’s curls from Hayes’ screen. Dončić immediately deceives a praise pass to bring defender Keyonte George out of balance, while he slowed down and braking and braking for a layup through jazz defense.

This is the same action in which Dončić realizes that Clarkson has contracted him, and there is a clear angle for a alley that has the rolling Hayes.

The Lakers deliberately run this set with an empty corner on the side of Dončić-Hayes. Therefore, it is more difficult for a defender to turn the edge and protect for Dončić).

One of Dončić’s greatest thrusts for the Lakers is the constant pressure he has on defense. It can attack from any perspective and is a threat to achieve or generate a high-percentation look for a teammate from any place on the floor. With James, LA needed more of it and is the only laker who is able to penetrate the edge and color consistently and put pressure on it.

With this possession, the Lakers on Clarkson try to put Dončić on the screen on the right slot on the right slot on the right slot and force the switch. Dončić dives on the right wing and receives the ball. He supports Clarkson in the middle of the color, attracts John Collins as the closest defender and turns to fire a kickout pass in James in the opposite corner.

This look may not have been as chic as the rear edge pass, but it required a similar level of court mapping and laser the ball over four defenders in the color.

Of course, Dončić doesn’t even have to cross the 3-point line to be a threat. He has developed into one of the leading 3-point shooters of the game and has already met a couple with the lakers. His first basket in Los Angeles was a 3 pointer over Kessler.

This is the type of shot that Dončić can create at any time with his ball handling, strength and its ability to separate.

This season Dončić only shoots 31.4 percent on Stepback 3-a career depth brand by over 4 percent. In the last three seasons he has shot 36.7 percent or better with these recordings, including the top 40.1 percent of the career in 2023-24. This story indicates that his seasonal slump is rather an aberration, and it is due to the fact that it is an above-average 3-point 3 point shooter.

The Lakers only scratch with Dončić on the surface of their offensive potential. With him on the ground they achieve 116.7 points per 100 possession higher than their season average and the equivalent of the crime in seventh place this season. This should only improve and finally push closer to the range of 120 points per 100 possessions.

When Dončić learns, practices and plays the game book more and gains more experiences in two- and three-member actions with James and Reaves, but should strive for a top three-day offense that gives them the chance to earn home . Court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

(Photo by Dončić and Lauri Markkanen: Jamie Sabau / Nbae about Getty Images)