Hall of Fame Player’s Hot Take on Luka Doncic Misses The Mark

There are good sports takes, there are bad sports takes, and then, there are really bad, head-scratching sports takes.

NBA Hall of Famer Michael Cooper's controversial comments regarding Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic have been catching some attention. On his podcast , Cooper played a game of "Start, Bench, Cut" with Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Damian Lillard. Surprisingly, he chose to bench Doncic, start Lillard, and cut Irving.

Cooper's reasoning? He labeled Doncic as "lazy" and "too slow," particularly on defense. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, it's crucial to examine this objectively and consider the facts.

Firstly, Cooper's assertion that Doncic is lazy on defense doesn't align with the statistics. In the 2023-24 season, Doncic outperformed Lillard in every major defensive metric, including blocks, steals, defensive rating, defensive win shares, and defensive box plus/minus. These numbers paint a picture of a player who, while not an elite defender, certainly puts in the effort on both ends of the court.

Moreover, Cooper's preference for Lillard's speed and athleticism over Doncic's overall game seems shortsighted. Doncic's unique combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ has allowed him to dominate the league in ways that transcend traditional athleticism. His ability to control the pace of the game, create for others, and score at will has made him one of the most impactful players in the NBA.

It's worth noting that Doncic and Cooper are similar in size, with Doncic listed at 6-7 and 230 pounds, while Cooper played at 6-7 and 190 pounds. Despite this, Doncic's on-court performance and impact far exceed what Cooper achieved during his playing days, he was a 5-time Champion and 8x All-Defensive team with the Lakers. This is not to diminish Cooper's accomplishments, but rather to highlight the exceptional nature of Doncic's talents.

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While Cooper's defensive prowess during his playing career is undeniable, his analysis seems to overlook the multifaceted nature of today's game. Doncic's ability to contribute across all aspects of the game—scoring, playmaking, rebounding, and yes, even defense—makes him an invaluable asset that any team would prioritize over Lillard or Irving.

While we respect Cooper's contributions to basketball, his take on Luka Doncic appears to be objectively flawed. The numbers, the eye test, and Doncic's impact on the game all point to him being not just a starter, but a franchise cornerstone and one of the best players in the league. As Doncic continues to lead the Mavericks and rack up historic numbers, it's clear that his place among the NBA's elite is well-deserved.