Luka Doncic Confesses Using a James Harden Signature Move vs Rockets Gave Him More Confidence

Drafted in 2018, Luka Doncic came into the NBA in blazing fashion. His performances during his rookie year led him to win the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in 2019. Moreover, the Dallas Mavericks realized that they had their new prince who could take over following Dirk Nowitzki’s retirement. Since then, Doncic has been phenomenal for the Mavericks.

One of Doncic’s iconic moves is the step-back jumper. Brought into the limelight by James Harden, the step-back jumper allows one to hit a jump shot while leaving the defender off balance and late in reaction. Moreover, it is also a highly effective shot from the three-point line. In a recent interview with JJ Redick, Doncic explained how he began using Harden’s signature move on a regular basis after a game against the Houston Rockets in his rookie year.

Luka Doncic Speaks About His Step Back Jump Shot

In a recent episode of ‘The Old Man and the Three‘ podcast, Doncic explained to hosts JJ Redick and Tommy Alter how he began using the step-back jumper.

“I didn’t really use the step back in Europe. But then I did it like against Houston in my first year. They say, ‘Oh, you have a great step back.’ And since then I’ve been doing the step back,” said Doncic.

“At the end of the game, it was like three step-backs. Since then everybody’s like, ‘Oh, you got the step back.’ Since then I’ve been practicing stepbacks. It’s been working good,” he added.

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As mentioned by Doncic, the Slovenian star gained popularity for his step-back jump shots after a game against the Houston Rockets. Moreover, the story also indicates how Doncic picked up Harden’s signature move after playing against Harden’s team at the time. Since then, Luka has not looked back and continues to leave defenders spellbound.

The Dallas Mavericks this Season

The Dallas Mavericks have enjoyed a successful season so far. After a tough start, they seemed to have found their rhythm. In fact, they currently allow the least Opponent Points per game. The surprising thing is that they are doing it without Kristaps Porzingis. Their centerpiece, Luka Doncic, has been firing on all cylinders this year. Furthermore, he too has had a 50 point performance like many others this season.

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As the season continues, Mavs will hope to have a strong finish as only 13 games remain in the season. This will ensure a solid entry into the playoffs. As for Luka, he will aim to carry his team to a deeper playoff run than last season. He clearly has his eyes on the prize. As long as he continues his dominant form, the Mavs have a legitimate shot at winning the title this year.