Darvin Ham on facing Luka Doncic: It’s a nightmare, we don’t have the answer

By HoopsHype | December 25, 2022

What’s the buzz on Twitter? Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBSI said it before and I’ll say it again: I refuse to judge Darvin Ham based on the broken roster Rob Pelinka gave him.Should he play Austin Reaves at center? No. But that’s an indictment of Rob. Frankly, part of me thinks (or at least hopes) he was sending a message. – 5:06 PM Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahonLuka Doncic calls it a day with a 32-9-9 line. Lakers already waved the white flag with LeBron James (38-6-5) checking out. – 5:04 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefkoLuka Doncic will finish with 32 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and zero turnovers after the first quarter. He needed only 16 shots from the field for his 32 points. Mavericks are up by 16 with 2:10 to go. – 5:03 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplanJason Kidd just won his challenge to overturn a charge call on which Luka Doncic would’ve fouled out.Rough Christmas for Austin Reaves. – 4:59 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoonCould be Luka’s sixth personal, pending review. But Lakers are down 16 with 3:50 to go. Not sure that’s enough time to close that gap. Wood and Hardaway also have 25-plus for the Mavs. – 4:57 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAI realize this is oversimplifying things, but the second half of this game is basically: Luka gets doubled and patiently picks out a wide-open shooter. Rinse, repeat. – 4:44 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoonLeBron with 36 points and counting. Lakers trying to bring it within single digits.Critically: Luka with five personal fouls. – 4:42 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefkoLuka using the spin move superbly to get away from oncoming double-teams. It’s giving him and teammates plenty of room to operate. Mavericks up 70-63 with 5:30 left in the third. – 4:12 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefkoThree consecutive three-pointers by three Mavericks not named Luka. Finally starting to make the Lakers pay for their aggressive swarming of Luka. LA lead down to 58-55. – 4:05 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavsNo team has committed to doubling Luka the way the Lakers have as he had just 6 FGA/10 pts in 1st half. Other have to take advantage. Wood has w/15. But trip of THJ, Bullock and Dinwiddie a combined 2-14 as Mavs trail LA 54-43. LeBron 18 for Lakers. 2nd half soon @971TheFreak – 3:56 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterLAL take a 54-43 lead into the half, led by @LeBron James, in his 17th Christmas game, who scored 18 points on 9 of 15 FG’s with 3 assists and 0 turnovers, for a game-best +24.Dallas converted just 5 of 22 3’s, and LAL swarmed Doncic, often w/doubles, holding him to 10 points. – 3:42 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplanLuka Doncic said something to Patrick Beverley during that Lakers’ possession that made PatBev laugh. No beef! Holiday spirit! – 3:40 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoonPat Bev’s confidence truly never runs out. Made a 3-pointer on Luka, then gave him a celebratory pat on the backside. – 3:39 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefkoMavericks rattle off a quick five in a row to force LA timeout. Last 3:55 of the half going to be important. Mavericks need to make up ground, not lose any more. They are down 41-35. Luka getting swarmed anytime he gets the ball. – 3:31 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoonLeBron’s been on the court for all the second quarter while Luka’s been on the bench. The Lakers have increased their lead by just 4 points in five minutes. – 3:23 PM Tim Cato @tim_catoLuka Doncic is in a lineup right now with McKinley Wright IV, Theo Pinson, Davis Bertans, and Dwight Powell – 3:13 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefkoLeBron faces up on Luka to close out the first quarter. Misses a triple. But Lakers get out of the first 12 minutes up 28-21. LeBron has 10 points, Luka 7. – 3:13 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplanMavs trail the Lakers 28-21 after Q1.Dallas closed the quarter with a lineup of Luka Doncic-McKinley Wright IV-Theo Pinson-Davis Bertans-Dwight Powell. – 3:12 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoonLuka’s ability to generate fouls vs. Austin Reaves’ face being a magnet for getting hitthe unstoppable force v. immovable object of our timesLakers 28, Mavs 21 after a quarter. – 3:12 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplanDoubled every possession, Luka Doncic just took his first shot of the game with 3:52 left in the first quarter.That probably gives you an idea of how the score looks rn. – 3:02 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaThe Lakers are doubling Luka Doncic nearly every time down the floor and so far, it’s working. He has yet to attempt a shot seven minutes into this game. The Lakers’ off-ball rotations have been crisp, for the most part. – 3:00 PM Eddie Sefko @ESefkoEight early points for LeBron James who has the Lakers up 17-6 with 7:17 left in the first. Luka Doncic has yet to score or even take a shot. – 2:54 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBAMavs have missed 4 straight WIDE open 3s off the Lakers doubling of Luka. Then they’re hanging their heads, and the Lakers are killing them in transition. – 2:52 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterLeBron is bullying a small Mavs lineup early, already with four buckets in the paint towards 8 points, as LAL get off to a 17-6 lead.Lakers are doubling Luka (0 FGA’s) and the Mavs support players aren’t making them pay just yet. – 2:52 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplanLakers coach Darvin Ham on game-planning to face Luka Doncic: “It’s a nightmare. We don’t have the answer. … His size, man, it’s a handful.” – 1:11 PM Michael Gallagher @MikeSGallagherThis month, Jrue Holiday has been the primary defender on Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Zion Williamson, Donovan Mitchell, Lauri Markkanen, De’Aaron Fox, Franz Wagner, and Kevin Porter Jr.He’ll get Jayson Tatum tomorrow. Quite a month of defensive assignments. – 4:48 PM Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothersIt’s pretty telling how openly “pissed off” (his words) Darvin Ham was after this loss. He often tries to spin some sunshine after a winnable loss. Not this one. AK – 1:57 AM More on this storyline Luka Doncic dropped 50 points, leading the Mavericks past the Rockets (112-106). He received the ultimate praise from head coach Jason Kidd after the game. “Luka is Luka. He ‘s the best player in the world,” Kidd said. “and he showed that tonight carrying the load offensively. Again, there was big plays that he trusted where could have shot the ball with two guys on him, but he trusted his teammates and made the right play. -via TalkBasket / December 24, 2022 To leave a comment, you will need to Sign in or create an account if you already have an account. Typed comments will be lost if you are not signed in.