How long will the Mavs continue to do this? The organization still has a franchise player with enough talent to keep him from demanding a trade 11 years later. Luka Doni broke the Dallas record for points in a game in a 126-121 overtime win against the New York Knicks.
The Knicks blew a nine-point lead in less than 40 seconds, and the chaos culminated with Doni intentionally missing a free throw and corralling it after a tip for a catch-and- shoot 11-footer to send the game to an overtime period.
The home broadcasters were so excited about the performance that they reminisced about a great night out. It should be appreciated. I don't care how much Doni uses the ball. The box score on the surface needs to be enjoyed by the analysts.
It's ridiculous for a young man to break a team record for points in a game with a 60 piece. He was 21- of-31 from the field and 16- of-22 from the free throw line. Doni hit the only bucket the Mavs made in OT, but it didn't matter as New York spent the final five minutes of the contest wandering around the floor with guts in hand.
The game wouldn't have been as close if it weren't for the street clothes worn by the player. Dallas would only be above.500 if not for the heroics. That is what great players do, and anyone who is a fan of a team with a guy in the same neighborhood as Luka knows what type of player he is. The surrounding pieces don't complement each other very well. That is sort of a stretch if we are being honest.
During the last stages of the comeback, the home crew yelled "I just wantluke to take every shot" I wouldn't want either of them to touch the ball. It takes an extremely worthy running mate to earn the respect of a player who is as talented as Doni.
I wrote about Doni's James Harden impression this year as well. He was the only player in NBA history to have a 60 point triple-double. Not a single person did that. Doni joined a group of people who have posted 50-20-10 or better in a game, which is only two other people.
The system Doni is in and the roster he is on have a big part in the insane statistics. If you want to win, you have to grind out every possession and either extend the lead enough to coast in the fourth or make sure Doni has enough in the tank. It would have been ironic for the Mavs if they had lost to the Knicks.
The narrative is back to this amazing year he is having after Doni bails them out. Is he taking another leap or is the Mavs just taking a step back? He deserves better than to be stuck with a roster that would be in the lottery without him.
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