The Los Angeles Lakers’ latest loss to the Phoenix Suns has raised a lot of questions about the team’s defense, especially regarding Luka Doncic. Fans and analysts have highlighted major issues with the Lakers’ chances of contending for a title, and now, Shannon Sharpe has also joined the bandwagon. The NBA analyst ripped the Slovenian guard while talking about the team’s condition this season.
The Lakers have lost three back-to-back games after the NBA All-Star break, when the teams are getting ready to make a final push for the postseason. Talking about the issues with the Lakers’ chances of winning the title this season on Night Cap, Sharpe said:
“They’re a bad basketball team. I know everybody say LeBron needs to leave, but you think a backcourt of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic are a championship contending team? They’re not a championship team with LeBron, they won’t be one without LeBron…. A lot of times Luka numbers don’t correlate to winning. He had 41,8,8…. But he just can’t play defense. He’s never going to be able to play.
“Tonight was little better with the refs because everytime he’s arguing with the refs looking for a call. That’s who he is. We might as well move on past that when we say stop arguing. It’s not going to happen. That’s who you are. That’s your make up.”
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen attacked Luka Doncic on defense, and Royce O’Neal drained the game-winning shot. In the previous game, Doncic had the ball on the final play, but he decided not to take a decent shot when he had the opportunity, leading to LeBron James missing the field goal.
Several fans and analysts have raised questions over the 2019 Rookie of the Year’s leadership. Even though the Lakers enjoyed a great start to the season, Reaves has not felt himself after a long hiatus, and James has been nothing more than an offensive help for Doncic.
Luka Doncic and Co. lose back-to-back clutch games
The Lakers have lost two clutch games after winning every close game this season. Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James trio’s ability to win a title has been debated all over the NBA world.
James is averaging 21.2 points and seven assists this season, while Reaves averages 24.6 points, five rebounds, and 5.5 assists. The three have led the team to several wins, but on off-days, the team’s defense and bench have failed to step up in crucial situations.
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