Blue Man Hoop
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Golden State Warriors fully equipped to defend Luka Doncic

By Tony Pesta

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after he was called for a foul against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 27, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after he was called for a foul against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 27, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The stage is set for a Western Conference Finals showdown between the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks. At the center of it all will be the seemingly impossible task of slowing down Luka Doncic.

Doncic and the Mavericks just derailed a 64-win season for the Phoneix Suns by delivering one of the most brutal Game 7 beatdowns the game of basketball has ever seen. At halftime of the decisive game, Doncic had matched the Suns’ point total of 27.

He finished the series averaging 32.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists in a performance that will not be forgotten any time soon.

Despite the daunting task ahead of them, the Warriors should feel confident in their ability to slow down Luka and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2019.

Luka Doncic has proven to be a world-beater but the Golden State Warriors are as prepared as anyone to put an end to the Cinderella story occurring in Dallas.

The Dubs have historically had success against teams that play the Mavericks’ brand of basketball. Sole superstars who command the entire offense are nothing new to the Warriors, who have previously dismantled James Harden, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, Damian Lillard and LeBron James at the highest level of the game.

With a rotation of defenders such as Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Otto Porter Jr. and Andre Iguodala, the Warriors will have plenty of options to throw at Luka.

The strategy will likely be to limit Luka’s ability to generate easy offense and place the bulk of the weight on the others for Dallas. Their supporting cast featuring Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie has played exceptionally up to this point but will have to continue playing at a high level to beat the Warriors.

Just as the Warriors have done in the past, a team effort will be deployed to slow down Luka’s one-man army. There is no guarantee the Dubs will stop him — but they have as good a chance as anyone to do it.

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