After catching fire following the Luka Doncic trade, the L.A. Lakers have cooled off and have lost seven of their last ten games. Doncic has been tremendous on the offensive end, but his defensive performances have left a lot to be desired. Former NBA champion and NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins wants Doncic to take accountability for the bad defense.
“The defensive effort that Luka has been putting forth has to be called out,” Perkins said. “He has to do better defensively. He has to bring that energy like he does on the offensive side of things. He cannot be a liability, because teams are going to search him out.”
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Doncic has averaged 27.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.8 assists with the Lakers and after a slow start, found his offensive footing and has been the team’s primary ball-handler. Doncic has never been known as a great defender, but he’s big enough to at least put up a fight against smaller ball-handlers.
LeBron James has missed time recently due to injury and without a legitimate rim protector in the paint, Doncic will need to step up his defensive hustle in the playoffs.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
