Lakers Legend Critical of Luka Dončić: “I would cut him”

Los Angeles Lakers legend Michael Cooper, known for his defensive tenacity and rebounding prowess during the 1980s “Showtime Lakers” era, recently made headlines with his pointed critique of Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić . On a recent episode of his “Showtime with Coop” podcast, Cooper didn't hold back, labeling Doncic as "too slow," "lazy," and lacking defensive hustle. He even went as far as to say, “If he wasn’t a scorer, I would cut him.”

Cooper’s comments came as a surprise to many, especially considering his Hall of Fame status and reputation as one of the NBA’s premier defenders during his playing days. Cooper’s critique centered on three key areas: Dončić’s mobility, defensive ability, and overall effort. According to Cooper, Luka’s slowness and perceived laziness on the defensive end would make him expendable if not for his exceptional scoring ability.

However, when examining Dončić’s defensive statistics from last season, Cooper’s critique seems, at least in part, misguided. Dončić finished the season with a defensive rating of 112.6, placing him in the top 25 in the league. Additionally, he ranked eighth in the NBA in steals per game, averaging 1.4. These numbers suggest that Dončić’s defense is far from the liability that Cooper portrays it to be.

That said, Cooper’s comments on Dončić’s hustle—or lack thereof—do hold some weight. Throughout last season, particularly during the playoffs, there were multiple instances where Dončić was slow to get back on defense. This often occurred after he felt slighted by a no-call or was engaged in lengthy complaints to the referees. This lack of urgency in transition defense hurt the Mavericks on several occasions, leading to easy baskets for their opponents.

This is where the mental aspect of the game comes into play. The next step in Dončić’s development as a player lies not in his physical abilities but in his mental approach. He needs to cultivate a “next play” mentality—one that allows him to move on from frustrating moments and focus on the task at hand. This level of emotional maturity is crucial for Dončić if he hopes to lead the Mavericks to an NBA championship.

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It’s important to remember that Luka Dončić is still just 25 years old. Despite his already extensive resumé, which includes multiple All-Star selections and All-NBA First Team honors, Doncic is still in the early stages of his career. Emotional maturity and the ability to maintain focus in high-pressure situations are qualities that often come with age and experience.

While Cooper’s harsh critique may have been exaggerated, it does highlight an area of growth for Dončić. If the Slovenian superstar can improve his mental resilience and consistency on the defensive end, he has the potential to become one of the best players in league history. The talent is unquestionably there, and with time, maturity will likely follow.

Cooper’s assessment of Dončić as "lazy" and "too slow" might be an overstatement, but it also underscores the importance of mental fortitude and hustle in the modern NBA. Luka has the tools to address these critiques, and if he does, the sky's the limit for what he can achieve in his already illustrious career.