Mavericks veteran snaps back at ridiculous Luka Doncic rumor

The Dallas Mavericks are set to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in Game 2 of the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, and all eyes are on the Mavs as they try to avoid going down 2-0.

Luka Doncic wasn't great in Game 1 as his knee injury continues to bother him, but his teammates also weren't great either. Dallas' bigs struggled to finish strong at the rim and Tim Hardaway Jr. shot 0-4 from downtown in his return.

It was all around a bad game for Dallas, but there is hope for Game 2. While the Mavs prepare for Game 2, a distracting rumor dropped about Doncic and his heliocentric playstyle.

Markieff Morris snaps back at ridiculous Luka Doncic rumor

According to an article by Howard Beck of The Ringer, an anonymous veteran coach in the NBA said that there is "a sigh of relief" from his teammates when Doncic subs out of the game because "it opens up a little more freedom" for other players other than Doncic to make plays.

This source also said that the teammates get to show that they don't need to depend on Doncic when he is off the floor while also saying that these players struggle to gain a rhythm due to Doncic's ball-dominant playstyle.

This isn't the first time that Doncic has been roasted for his playstyle by an outside source, and teammate Markieff Morris wasn't about to let this fly. Morris stood up for Doncic on social media by saying that this isn't true and that the team is focused on winning the NBA Finals.

Morris standing up for Doncic on X at this moment was a great move by him, and he continues to show his veteran leadership at all times. This take clearly is cherry-picked, as all of Doncic's teammates seem to love him, and this article just happened to come out after Dallas lost Game 1.

Doncic has made those around him better for his entire career, and this season has been no different. Him utilizing his teammates was one of the big reasons that the team went on a 16-2 run and grabbed the No. 5 seed, and he has been getting hated on more than ever this season.

These arguments about Doncic and his playstyle are absurd, and most everything that has been said by his teammates in the past are all good things.

For all the latest on Luka Doncic, Marieff Morris, and the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, stay tuned.