Paul Pierce weighed in on Luka Doncic’s standing among the NBA elite, noting defense as a key factor.
The former Celtics star said, “We have never said Luka was the best player in the league because of his defense. If we started seeing Luka rev it up on the defensive end like right now we would be talking about him being the best in the league.”
Doncic has been dominant offensively this season, averaging 33.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.5 rebounds over 36.3 minutes per game in 33 appearances. His scoring efficiency includes 46.4% from the field and 33.7% from three-point range.
The Lakers sit sixth in the Western Conference with a 25-16 record. Austin Reaves leads alongside Doncic in scoring efficiency, contributing 26.6 points per game with 6.3 assists. LeBron James continues to provide veteran support at 22.6 points and 6.9 assists per game.
Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura contribute 14.2 and 12.1 points per game, respectively, providing additional support.
Defensively, the Lakers have struggled to match their offensive output. Marcus Smart averages 9.8 points and 2.9 steals per game, but the team’s overall defensive rating ranks below top Western contenders. Pierce’s comments point to the gap between Doncic’s offensive dominance and defensive impact.
