Yes, Luka Doncic gets slammed, too. Doncic’s numbers have been impressive, and he has been adding records to his name. However, a blunt assessment from a former NBA coach has put him in a different light. Certainly, Doncic is one of the faces of the league and the Los Angeles Lakers, but he is not far from criticism for his gameplay either.The remarks arrived at a sensitive moment for the Lakers. Recent losses, including a devastating Christmas Day defeat, have magnified concerns around ball movement, defensive strategies, and offensive flow. Of course, their position in the standings is still favorable; however, scrutiny has followed the team’s stars. Recently, Sam Mitchell, a legend in the league and former basketball coach, showered his unfiltered criticism on Doncic.
Sam Mitchell slams Luka Doncic in his comparison to Stephen Curry
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, former NBA Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell shared his direct stance on Luka Doncic. His critique focused on off-ball activity and how elite players influence teammates without controlling every possession.“Luka Doncic cannot play basketball without the ball. He don’t cut, he don’t move, he don’t set screens. He’s great with the ball — he does nothing to make his teammates better when he doesn’t have it. And the problem with the Lakers is, Austin Reaves and LeBron James are the same way. They gotta have the ball, because they don’t want to do the hard things — pass, cut, move, set screens.”Mitchell then pointed to Stephen Curry as a contrasting example of superstar impact away from the ball.“The reason we give Steph Curry so much credit is not because he’s a traditional great point guard. He averages about four and a half to five assists per game for his career. Steph Curry do the hard things. He’s always cutting and moving without the ball, which—when you’re a great player and you make a hard cut—somebody’s going to follow you.”The numbers provide context to Mitchell’s argument. Los Angeles ranks near the bottom of the league in assists per game despite elite shooting efficiency. When defenses load up on Doncic at the top, movement often stalls, making possessions easier to defend.
Who is Sam Mitchell?
Mitchell is a former player and coach; he spent 13 seasons in the league, primarily with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. After retiring, Mitchell transitioned into coaching and became the sixth head coach in Toronto Raptors history.During the 2006-07 season, he earned NBA Coach of the Year honors after leading Toronto to a division title and a major win improvement. He later served as an assistant and interim head coach in Minnesota and held multiple analyst roles with NBA TV, TSN, and SiriusXM.Also Read: “We don’t care enough” – JJ Redick lays bare brutal frustration following Lakers’ Christmas Day collapse