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Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Lakers Legend Raises Concern Over One Main Aspect of Luka Doncic’s Game

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Jason Fray | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 7:00 PM ET

No one questions the bag Luka Doncic has on the offensive end of the floor.

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The Slovenian star player is one of the most unique offensive talents in the NBA currently. Doncic has the ability to bully smaller players with his bulky, strong frame. His play off the dribble in isolation situations often puts bigger players on skates.

When going up against athletic wings, Doncic gets to his spots on the floor seamlessly using head fakes and an uncanny ability to carve out space for himself. He also has an extreme penchant for creating fortuitous angles with ball fakes. Of course, Doncic also has elite passing ability which is often on full display whenever facilitating.

It's the defensive end of the court that has many worried about his standing as a transcendent NBA player. With LeBron James' tenure in Los Angeles likely coming to a close sooner than later, Doncic will be the face of this historic franchise.

Dan Patrick Show:
Laker Legend Robert Horry: "I don't care about his (Luka) weight. You need to get him in a gym and teach him how to play Defense. You know, that's the thing because you can give someone 40 points, but if you're giving up 35 on the other end, those 40 points… pic.twitter.com/CONxCvknxA
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 8, 2025

To put it mildly, Doncic is a below-average defender. Los Angeles Lakers legend Robert Horry echoed these sentiments when speaking on the Dan Patrick Show . Horry knows a thing or two about competing at the highest level given the fact he's won seven NBA Championships playing alongside the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Clyde Drexler.

Deandre Ayton on playing with fellow 2018 draftee Luka Doncic on the Lakers: "Luka is a once-in-a-generation player and I’m happy to be his teammate. Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped and I’m finally glad to be on his side"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 8, 2025

Horry wasn't fixated on Doncic's ability (or inability) to stay in shape as much as he was on Doncic's effort in being a credible defender. Doncic will never be mistaken for Kawhi Leonard as a wing stopper. At the same time, Doncic has enough tools to be at the very least decent on that end of the floor.

Robert Horry on Luka Doncic:

"I don't care about his [Luka] weight. You need to get him in a gym and teach him how to play defense. That's the thing because you can give someone 40, but if you're giving up 35 on the other end, those 40 points don't mean anything."

via @dpshow pic.twitter.com/H7IASxNuhR
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) July 8, 2025

Getting in better shape will help in this capacity. Multiple glimpses of Doncic from the summer have indicated that he has dropped some weight with the goal of being quicker and more durable.

Doncic might not be the quickest player in the world. However, he does have a sturdy frame — and that could lend itself to Doncic being a good positional defender. He has the ability to defend multiple spots on the floor if the effort is there.

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Being an immensely smart basketball player, Doncic already reads the game at a very sophisticated level. While the on-ball defending may be an issue, being a help defender in regards to garnering deflections is something well within Doncic's wheelhouse.

Having said all of this, the effort is the main talking point here. There have been some lackadaisical moments for Doncic in a Lakers' uniform where the opposing player blew by Doncic with ease. Some of that could've been Doncic working his way back from injury in which he seemingly wasn't in great shape.

With an offseason to get healthy and work on his game, the competitor in Doncic should emerge in his first full season wearing purple and gold — particularly with so many questioning whether he can be a tone-setter for the Lakers on the defensive end of the court.

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For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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