“Learn to play without the basketball,” Charles Barkley bizarrely reveals why Luka Doncic’s high-scoring numbers are bad

The Dallas Mavericks are targeting an NBA title after their trade deadline acquisitions.

“Learn to play without the basketball,” Charles Barkley bizarrely reveals why Luka Doncic’s high-scoring numbers are bad

Charles Barkley feels Luka Doncic's ball-hogging is not helping Dallas Mavericks win games

The Dallas Mavericks have set up their team to target an NBA title. But even then, they are struggling to consistently beat playoff teams this season. Although they have a few players other than Luka Doncic who can consistently produce decent numbers, Doncic still leads the scoring charts. This prompted NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley to point out that Doncic’s high scoring was not helping his team.

The Mavericks are currently 8th in the hotly contested Western Conference. At the time of Barkley’s revelation, the Mavericks had a 2-5 record since the All-Star break. All their losses were against playoff teams. Barkley summed the situation up via NBA on TNT;

When you're a great player, the better players you play with, your numbers should go down. They're playing the same way they played when they didn't have any talent. Luka, as great as he is, he's got to learn to play without the basketball. His numbers are going up, that's why they are not winning.

Kenny Smith echoed Barkley’s point about Doncic’s numbers. He added that since the All-Star break, Doncic’s numbers have gone up even more. Barkley and Smith both believe that is the reason behind that 2-5 run.

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Since the All-Star break, Doncic has led the league in scoring and assists. But where Barkley has a problem is the high volume of shots Doncic takes per game to get to those numbers. Barkley believes if Doncic would pass the ball more, the Mavericks would win more.

Before bringing in PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline, the Mavericks only could bank on Doncic and his superstar teammate Kyrie Irving. Now, with all the pieces in place, it should become easier for the Mavericks to get to the same points. But Doncic’s high-volume shot attempts and ball-hogging mentality are costing them games.

What Charles Barkley wants Luka Doncic and the Mavericks to do

Charles Barkley wants the Dallas Mavericks to fight for the NBA title. They built their roster with that specific goal in mind. However, as Barkley pointed out, they are not utilizing the new additions in the best way. Neither of the trade deadline additions has been seeing enough of the ball. Nor is the constant ball-hogging by Doncic helping matters.

If the Mavericks and Doncic want to succeed, they have to share the ball. And it starts with Doncic as he is the primary ball-handler and playmaker. He has to set his teammates up to score as well as score himself in easier situations. As Kenny Smith said, Doncic’s better teammates should make it easier for him to score similar if slightly lesser points.

Until that scenario plays out, the Dallas Mavericks will not be good enough to challenge the best teams in the league. And Luka Doncic’s ball-hogging will be the reason for that failure.

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