ESPN Personality Refuses To Vote Luka Doncic All-NBA First Team

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Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins upset Los Angeles Lakers fans by revealing he’s not planning to vote for Luka Doncic to make the All-NBA first team. Stellar play from Doncic has saved a struggling Lakers season and elevated them to the third seed for the time being. More importantly, Luka is leading the league in scoring by putting up 32.9 points per game in close games that often require this level of play to get wins.

Perkins made it clear that he sees no path towards Doncic getting his vote for the All-NBA first team of the top five players:

“You’re only able to pick five, correct? So, you have SGA. I have Jokic. I have Jaylen Brown. I have Cade Cunningham because they have the best record in the Eastern Conference. And I have Wemby [because] they are second in the West.

So, Luka doesn’t make my top first-team All-NBA. I’ll have him on my second team. Now granted I get it, he’s leading the league in scoring. But when I look at the impact that those other guys are having on their franchise.”

Doncic is considered a solid bet to make the All-NBA first team and have a top five MVP finish, but Perkins doesn’t believe he deserves it over these other names. Another month is left before the votes come in after the regular season ends.

Does Perkins Have A Point About Luka?

The overall talking point of Perkins is that the other five names mentioned have stronger impacts than Doncic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are likely locks to make the All-NBA first team as the top two MVP candidates and the best players in the league.

Many have Luka ranked third, but Perkins does have a point about the other three deserving credit. Cade Cunningham has led a team few expected to contend into a dominant top seed placement and an Eastern Conference contender.

Jaylen Brown has stepped up to help the Boston Celtics contend, but Jayson Tatum’s return has already hurt his overall usage. Victor Wembanyama’s time missed and stronger team is often argued against him in favor of Doncic. However, Perkins is not unfair for having this opinion and giving the nod to other deserving names.

Luka Doncic Will Likely Still Get Selected

Perkins does have a vote, but he’s one of many names getting to vote on the year-end NBA awards. Doncic has received more praise from across the media and is currently considered a top five candidate.

MVP betting odds have seen Luka moving up in the odds as players like Jokic and Cunningham start to fall. Gilgeous-Alexander likely has the MVP secured due to the Oklahoma City Thunder having the best record in the league and looking like the strong title favorites.

However, Doncic will have a strong chance to make the All-NBA first team. Regardless of who falls out, someone will be viewed as a controversial snub. The previous six names discussed by Perkins and Anthony Edwards all hold valid arguments. Doncic is likely going to fall in the top five to get the first-team spot.

Joey Haverford Joey Haverford is a seasoned sports content writer with over 12 years of experience. He has covered the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL, and professional wrestling in the sports industry. More about Joey Haverford