Former NBA Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell made some critical comments about Luka Doncic and how players across the league view him. The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled in recent weeks with the inconsistent play leading to Doncic getting blamed. Constant issues of poor defense, complaining to referees, and opposing teams taking advantage of that to score have harmed Luka’s reputation.
Mitchell said the following about players not wanting to play with Doncic during his SiriusXM radio show:
“Who really wants to play with Luka? Let me ask you this: if you’re a young player who wants to run, cut, move, and compete on both ends of the floor, how are you going to feel when your best player, your star player, the guy who has all the juice, doesn’t play defense? And nothing is said to him.”
Head coach JJ Redick was also called out by Mitchell for not putting an end to these issues. Doncic not playing defense and sometimes stopping to argue with officials is causing many fans to turn against him. Lakers’ teammates can’t be thrilled when they are running back on defense only to give up baskets on 5 vs 4 disadvantages.
Mitchell Called Out Luka’s Special Treatment
The criticism of Doncic continued with Mitchell claiming that his teammates are held to different standards. Luka’s immense offensive skill set giving the Lakers 30+ points per game sees him getting away with his flaws, while his teammates get chewed out for the same mistakes.
Mitchell added more blunt commentary about Doncic:
“Everybody else is held to a different standard. Everybody else has to get back in transition. Everybody else has to defend. Everybody else has to do all the little things. But you turn on the tape and, time and time again, Luka isn’t doing those things. And no one says anything. Or if something is said, it’s empty because there’s no real accountability.”
Lakers film studies can’t be fun for most of the team watching back Luka’s mistakes and seeing these issues continue. Mitchell has a valid point, but he is not mentioning all of the things that Doncic does to help the team when they do win games.
Lakers Pressure Falls All On Luka
A legacy franchise like the Lakers sees the top star having more pressure than his counterparts around the league. Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James all had immense pressure on them to win when viewed as the face of the franchise.
Despite James still on the roster, Doncic is clearly the best player and the new face of the franchise moving forward. The Lakers plan to build the roster around Luka in the upcoming offseason, but the pressure has already started.
Doncic must have a great postseason, or he will be the most criticized player entering the summer. Mitchell’s criticism mirrors what many around the league feel when Luka’s flaws emerge in close games. Doncic fixing these issues are one step towards putting the Lakers in a better position to contend for an NBA Championship.
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