Luka Doncic has all of the offensive qualities an NBA superstar needs.
Whether playing steadily despite getting pressured 94 feet from the basket consistently, getting advantageous one-on-one match-ups in pick-and-roll situations, or dropping dimes with either hand, the standout 6-foot-6 guard terrorizes defenders nightly.
However, Doncic’s lateral speed and footwork aren’t superb, allowing opponents to make two dribble moves more or less to blow past him on the defensive end.
According to a former NBA All-Star, Doncic’s defensive shortcomings make him challenging to watch on the big screen.
"I hate watching Luka play now, man,” Jeff Teague said on the Club 520 podcast Thursday. “His defense is so bad, everybody is Iso-ing you? I wasn’t even a defender, but not everybody is Iso-ing me.”
"Luka bro, I ain’t going to lie, that (expletive) is bad to watch bro. I started to see people say his back hurts on defense. That (expletive) cool on offense though. Everybody kept saying it. His defense is so bad that I can’t even appreciate his offense.”
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Teague, who earned a 2015 NBA All-Star nod with the Atlanta Hawks, made a tremendous point about Doncic’s subpar defense.
During the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles attempted to hide Doncic’s slow feet and high center of gravity.
JJ Redick's defensive game plan centered on loading up on the opponent Doncic was guarding.
However, the Timberwolves have ample perimeter-oriented studs capable of heating up from beyond the arc, which made it challenging for Doncic’s teammates to slide over and regularly provide help.
Contributors like Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Anthony Edwards toyed with the Slovenian phenomenon before executing their respective go-to moves effortlessly and eliminating the Lakers in five games.
If Doncic wants to change the perception surrounding his on-ball defense, he must avoid falling behind early and putting his teammates at a disadvantage.
Doncic’s inability to hold his weight defensively could drastically lower the Lakers’ ceiling, whether or not LeBron James retires.
More NBA: Lakers should trade Luka Doncic to Mavericks for $175 million star forward, per analyst