Luka Doncic is 'trying' hard to deliver what the Mavericks need most from him

The Dallas Mavericks just made a bounce-back statement when they needed one most.

It seems like there's a never-ending virus hitting the Mavs locker room right now, but the team is answering those concerns pretty well with consistent wins.

The Mavericks have everybody stepping up and doing what they need to do to win ball games. Among the success is Luka Doncic responding to his recent critiques and reminding everyone that he is one of the best players in the NBA.

Luka Doncic's defense is the key to Mavericks' long-term success

It was earlier this year when former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins slammed Doncic for not playing enough defense. Whether or not he listened, he's answered that call by playing phenomenal defense and proving anyone who doubted him wrong.

Against Golden State in the fourth quarter with Dallas up by nine points, Doncic was seen swarming the second-year man Brandin Podziemski in the corner and he had to force up a bad shot. Doncic blocked the shot attempt and dished the ball to Klay Thompson for a successful 3-point attempt on the other end.

This one play alone was one of many that proved Doncic has been working on his defensive game. When he's fully locked in, he is a good defender.

He talked a bit about his defensive game after the win against Golden State.

"I know I had to do better. You know, I think there's still a lot of improvement but I'm trying, I'm trying to be better, especially in the defensive end and you know, when I'm locked in on defense, it helps the whole team," Doncic said.

The victory against Golden State was great for Doncic because of the versatility he showed in all phases of the win. He scored a 40-point triple-double and cemented another chapter in Mavericks lore.

Doncic's defense was always a concern in years past, but now it seems like he's playing some of the best defense of his life.

The Mavericks also need to use their big men to their advantage when comes to attacking the glass. It was Doncic who also used that as a talking point as another opportunity to mention defense.

The Mavericks have shown that they have the ability to dominate on the defensive glass, but when they get flat-footed, teams can destroy Dallas on the offensive glass.

Doncic is right about this claim. The shotmaking will speak for itself, if the shots just simply don't fall through but the team hustles back on defense, so be it.

Doncic has shown that he doesn't really care about getting triple-double records or making cases to be an MVP, he's showing that he's a team player.

If Jason Kidd can keep his superstar to continue to have this team player mentality, the Mavericks will continue to see much success in the long run.