Skip Bayless points to Luka Doncic’s poor defense as the cause of Lakers’ loss to Jazz.
Skip Bayless points to Luka Doncic’s poor defense as the cause of Lakers’ loss to Jazz.
Skip Bayless attributes the Lakers’ humiliating loss to the Jazz to Luka Doncic’s defensive shortcomings. Before Wednesday night’s game against the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Lakers seemed ready to extend their winning streak.
The Lakers had claimed victory in their previous six games and were facing a Jazz team they had beaten by 19 points just two days earlier.
However, in an unexpected turn, Los Angeles saw its streak end on Wednesday night. Poor defensive play from the Lakers appeared to contribute to the defeat, as they allowed an astounding 131 points to the Jazz.
Veteran sports commentator Skip Bayless took to X and criticized Luka Doncic for his weak defense, blaming him for the Lakers’ disappointing loss.
Whether justified or not, Doncic has earned a reputation for not fully committing on the defensive side of the court. This narrative became louder after the Dallas Mavericks’ loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, where Boston frequently targeted Doncic offensively. The Slovenian struggled to keep up with the Celtics’ skilled guards and wings during key moments.
However, the Lakers’ inability to secure stops against the Jazz on Wednesday might be more about missing star big man Anthony Davis than Doncic’s defensive struggles.
The Lakers’ rationale for acquiring Doncic in a trade for Davis is clear, but Davis had been the anchor of their defense. He led the team in defensive rebounds and blocks before the trade.
The Lakers have faced defensive issues since the beginning of the month, giving up 110 or more points in all but one of those games. Their lone standout performance came on February 4, when they limited the Los Angeles Clippers to just 97 points in a commanding win, with guard Norman Powell being the only Clipper to score over 20 points.
