Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Celtics Legend, Ex-Clipper, Rips Luka Doncic

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Will Despart | Last updated May 29, 2025 1:49 PM ET

Boston Celtics legend and ex-Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce is once again making headlines with his comments. Pierce had a lot to say about Lakers star Luka Doncic on a recent appearance on FS1's 'Speak'.

Pierce, who played 19 NBA seasons and made ten All-Star teams, was critical of those who use Doncic's weight to deflect from his lack of defensive effort.

"Let’s talk about his mentality on defense because I figure that’s the issue," Pierce said. "Don’t make this a weight thing and try to throw us off the subject. Rebounding and the effort stuff, that's hustle mentality, it has nothing to do with his weight.

Paul Pierce rips Luka's defense

"Defense is a mentality. Rebounding and the effort stuff is hustle mentality. ... He need to learn how to play some damn defense and not get isolated and picked on. That's the issue with him, not his weight." pic.twitter.com/ixLI8KnJPd
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) May 28, 2025

"He needs to learn how to play some damn defense and not get isolated and picked on," Pierce added. "That’s the issue with him, not his weight. He can come in there at 300 pounds, but if he gives me 30, eight, and eight, then I'm good. Shaq couldn't make free throws, but we still took everything else he gave us."

Doncic drew heavy criticism from fans and media members alike regarding his defense during the playoffs, as the Lakers were eliminated in five first-round games. That was despite the fact that Los Angeles entered the series as prohibitive favorites to advance to the second round and on a shortlist of favorites to win the NBA Finals.

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Doncic, 26, is eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million extension on August 2. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, that's $117 million less than he could have made this summer if he were still eligible to sign a supermax contract in Dallas.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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