Is Luka Doncic the worst defender in NBA history?
While his offensive skills are undisputed, on defense Luka Doncic has repeatedly demonstrated his limitations
Luka Doncic is one of the most dangerous players in the NBA, second in points per game only to Joel Embiid. But despite his ability to dominate on offense, he struggles to assert himself as a good defender on his own half of the court, in fact.
Recently, ESPN analyst Tim MacMahon revealed a statement from a scout who would define him as the worst transition defender in the league.
I talked to a scout about his defense and bluntly, he’s the worst transition defender, even the worst in history. He simply told me to watch him and I would understand immediately
Scout NBA
Luka struggles to be decisive on both halves of the court: in transition, he often lags behind his teammates, forcing them to close his gaps, and he tends to vehemently protest with the referees, which impacts his defense.
Players like Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum are the only ones who can be a factor on both halves of the court, the few remaining in an NBA always geared towards spectacle. Luka Doncic may win an MVP without excellent defense, but he will also need that for an NBA championship.