The best-player discourse in the NBA today revolves around a few regular names. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has to be there, as does three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Even as the Bucks have struggled, Giannis Antetokounmpo can’t be forgotten, and Victor Wembanyama is coming for the crown. Luka Doncic?
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The Slovenian star, who made five straight All-NBA First Teams before injuries kept him below the minimum threshold last year, also has to be included, of course. Luka is currently leading the NBA with 33.3 points per game, and he has the Lakers in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race at 25-16.
However, Doncic is usually thought of just below those other guys. And there’s one simple reason for that — his defense is a liability.
Shai is a lockdown defender, and Giannis is a former Defensive Player of the Year. Wemby is a lock to win DPOY any year he’s healthy. And even Jokic, who endured similar criticisms to Luka for much of his career, has become at the very least a solid defender. From where Paul Pierce is sitting, if Luka improved his defense, he’d be the best player in the world.
On the most recent episode of No Fouls Given, he said, “I don’t think that you can be the best player in the league without playing both sides of the ball. Yeah, you’ll win an MVP, but I don’t think you’ll be considered the best player in the league.”
Pierce expressed confidence that Luka would win an MVP someday. However, he lumped him in with James Harden, another outstanding player who was never thought of as the best player in the league because of his defensive reputation.
Paul Pierce says Luka will win a MVP one day but never be considered the best player in the league because of his lack of defense
“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… pic.twitter.com/QEw7BIiHXS
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) January 19, 2026
Doncic slimmed down this summer. However, the expectation that it would translate into more success on the defensive end hasn’t materialized. Last year, the Lakers finished 17th in the league in team defensive rating. This year, they’re an abysmal 26th. That’s not all on Doncic, though, but he’s the head of the snake.
Doncic’s offensive abilities are such that he wouldn’t even need to become an All-Defensive Team player to be hailed as the best in the league. He has the ball in his hands constantly, can make any shot or any pass, and has come through many times in clutch situations.
Other than maybe barking at the refs too much, his defense is the only part of his game that isn’t elite. Doncic D-ing up would help not just his own standing among the league’s superstars, but it could also help make the Lakers real title contenders.
There are many smart people out there who don’t believe that Doncic and Austin Reaves can form a championship core. This, despite them being offensively prolific. And that’s all because of their defense.
Luka only came to L.A. less than a year ago. So in fairness, Rob Pelinka needs some time to put the right team around him. The Lakers are good already, but with the right moves, they could become great. If and when that happens, Doncic will be in the MVP conversation for sure.
