“They want you to be perfect”

After the Dallas Mavericks lost a must-win Game 3 to the Boston Celtics to fall 3-0 in the NBA Finals, criticism of superstar guard Luka Doncic came from all directions, even from himself.

The MVP runner-up fouled out with just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, presenting a major obstacle to the Mavericks’ comeback from a 21 deficit that they ultimately couldn’t overcome. He complained to both the referees and the referees later, which raised questions about his maturity and ability to lead a team to a championship.

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However, Knicks star and former Maverick Jalen Brunson defended Doncic in an interview with Launderer’s ReportIt’s Taylor Rooks.

“I would say, yeah, I think it’s unfair,” he said of the criticism and addressed Doncic’s injury. “There’s a lot that happens in a season, in a show, that a lot of people don’t see.”

“People want players to be perfect. They want you to be perfect. They want you to have a 40 average. They want you to win Finals MVP. They have so many stories to tell you,” he said.

Although Brunson did not comment on the specific calls against Doncic or his subsequent complaints, Brunson noted an inconsistency in the officiating and defended having an emotional reaction to it.

Full recap: Luka fouls, comeback fails as Mavs fall into 3-0 hole in NBA Finals

“There are times when calls are made in the same situations where calls are not made. All fouls can be subjective to a referee,” Brunson said. “Yes, obviously you don’t want to complain, but it’s a difficult situation to live in. It’s moving. It’s an emotional game. And everyone expects to say, “Hey, you’re a grown man, you need to act like one.” » No, it’s an emotional thing. This is what everyone in this league has worked for, an opportunity like this, and sometimes emotions take over.

Brunson also compared the criticism Doncic received to another MVP-caliber superstar in the series, Jayson Tatum.

“There are so many stories for (Tatum). “He’s got this great team around him, but he doesn’t do this, he doesn’t do that.” Well, he helps his team win. They are one, he said. “I understand that people have work to do and things to say, but a lot of players, at least me, don’t care about what we do. It’s just, are we winning?