LeBron James and JJ Redick recently delved into strategies to contain Luka Doncic in the pick-and-roll on their popular podcast, “Mind the Game.” If you’re hoping for a straightforward method to shut down Doncic, you’re out of luck. As the second-best postseason player in 2024, Luka is notoriously difficult to guard.

LeBron James’ Take on the Best Defense

When discussing the most effective way to guard Luka in the pick-and-roll, LeBron immediately suggested a blitz defense. “The reason I say blitz,” LeBron explained, “is because I look at the other two options and it’s not switching, because they don’t run many small-small pick-and-rolls. They run a lot of 1-5 pick-and-rolls.”

The Blitz Defense Explained

To provide some context, there are three primary ways to defend a pick-and-roll: blitz, switch, or drop. A blitz involves the defending guard fighting over the screen while the big man comes out, with both players chasing the ball handler back towards the perimeter. This defensive strategy forces rotations and typically results in the ball being taken out of Luka’s hands, which is exactly what defenders aim for.

The Statistics Behind the Strategy

JJ Redick provided some eye-opening statistics on the effectiveness of different defensive approaches against the Mavericks’ pick-and-roll. During the regular season, teams that opted for drop coverage against the Mavericks averaged 1.10 points per possession.