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[Saba Sports News] Despite leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season, Luka Doncic still faces criticism from some prominent voices.
On his “Showtime Podcast” for CLNS Media, retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Michael Cooper didn’t mince words about Doncic. During a game of “Start, Bench, Cut,” Cooper criticized the Mavs star, saying, “Luka gives you a triple-double almost every night, but he’s too slow for me. If he wasn’t a scorer, I would cut him. He’s lazy and doesn’t hustle back on defense.”
As a defensive specialist and eight-time All-Defensive selection, Cooper’s critique aligns with his own career focus on defense. While Doncic isn’t known for his defense, his heavy offensive load—leading the NBA in points per game and usage rate last season—might contribute to his perceived lack of effort on the other end.
Though Doncic acknowledges his lack of traditional athleticism, labeling him “lazy” overlooks the physical challenges he endured just to compete last postseason.