The LA Lakers have been struggling defensively, with guard Luka Doncic’s defensive shortcomings coming under scrutiny. NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony recently pointed out a key issue within the team that may be contributing to their defensive woes. Anthony mentioned that besides LeBron James, there seems to be no other player on the Lakers roster who can hold Doncic accountable, possibly due to a lack of respect from his teammates.
Doncic has been struggling defensively, evident from his high defensive rating of 114.7. Lakers legend James Worthy criticized his defensive impact, noting that despite his impressive offensive numbers, he isn’t making a significant defensive difference in games. Doncic himself acknowledged that defense, along with turnovers, are areas he wants to work on.
Critics argue that the Lakers’ defensive struggles go beyond Doncic, but he hasn’t been the solution either. Doncic is eager to change this narrative and improve his defensive contributions in the upcoming game against the Sacramento Kings.
Former Lakers player Robert Horry also called out Doncic after a recent loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Horry criticized Doncic for hunting fouls when referees weren’t making calls in his favor, stating that he is too talented to rely on such tactics. Despite Doncic and James putting up impressive stats in the game, the Lakers still suffered a defeat.
In conclusion, the Lakers are facing defensive challenges, and Doncic’s performance on that end of the court has come under scrutiny. With key players and former legends calling for improvement, the team will need to address their defensive issues to get back on track. The upcoming games will be crucial for Doncic and the Lakers to show improvement and bounce back from their recent struggles.
