When Shannon Sharpe said that Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic couldn’t play in the post, Kendrick Perkins was shocked.
Kendrick Perkins was astonished by Shannon Sharpe’s dismissal of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s post-up abilities during a heated debate on ESPN about the Dallas Mavericks’ chances as contenders. Sharpe argued that the team lacked players who could effectively play with their backs to the basket, particularly singling out Doncic and Irving. Perkins, taken aback by this assertion, countered by highlighting both players as among the best in the league when it comes to post-up play.
Sharpe contended that Kyrie Irving’s height made him unsuitable for posting up, prompting Perkins to challenge this notion, expressing disbelief that Sharpe would claim Irving lacks a post game. Despite this disagreement, the conversation shifted towards critiquing the Mavericks’ scoring capabilities overall, with Sharpe suggesting they struggle to secure easy baskets compared to other competitive teams in the league.
However, the statistics paint a different picture, showcasing the Mavericks’ potent offense led by Doncic and Irving. Doncic has proven to be exceptionally efficient in scoring in the paint, while Irving’s knack for scoring, even without a traditional post-up game, has been instrumental for the team. Despite arguments against their scoring prowess, recent acquisitions have bolstered the Mavericks’ defensive capabilities, hinting at an overall improvement in their performance.
The discrepancy between the criticism of the Mavericks’ scoring ability and their actual offensive output underscores a double standard in the discourse surrounding the team’s contention prospects. While their defense may still be a concern, their offensive potency led by Doncic and Irving should not be underestimated.
