Luka Doncic is special. In his relatively young NBA career, he has quickly become one of the league’s premier stars. His offensive brilliance and stellar on-court performances have created a sense of optimism around the Dallas Mavericks organization. However, the Mavs have struggled to mount a significant challenge for the NBA title in recent seasons, and analysts are now pointing fingers at Luka for the team’s shortcomings in this regard.

In a recent segment on Run It Back, former Mavs’ player Chandler Parsons called Luka’s style of play as “exhausting.” He said, “I think [Luka Doncic] is an unbelievable talent, he’s literally a guard version of [Nikola] Jokic, where he can do anything. But as a teammate, it’s a little exhausting watching the same s*** over and over again.” Chandler’s remarks have ignited a heated discussion about Luka’s playing style, especially after he created history by becoming the first player to register six consecutive 30-point triple-doubles against the Pistons on 9th March.

While Parsons’ comments have irked Mavs’ fans, analyst Chris Broussard agrees with his take. While hosting the Odd Couple podcast, Broussard said, “It’s tough to win when you’re a one man show… Luka Doncic has got to look in the mirror and say ‘what can I do differently?’ What he can do differently is play in a way that incorporates the rest of his team.”

Although Luka Doncic’s performances have put him firmly in the race for the MVP award, Chris Broussard might have a point. This season, Luka has a usage rate of 35.5%, which is the second highest amongst starters, only behind Joel Embiid. Given this high usage rate, it goes without saying that analysts would make such assumptions. However, a teammate has come to Luka’s defense.

Kyrie Irving defends Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic has been on a tear in recent weeks. He has registered 30 or more points in nine consecutive days. Moreover, Luka’s average of 34.7 points per game is the highest in the league, while his 9.8 assists per game rank third in the NBA. So criticism directed towards Doncic may appear unwarranted given his impressive performance on the court. However, Dallas’ current position in the standings have provided his critics a reason.

In a recent interview, Kyrie Irving came to Luka’s defense, and stated that it’s an honor to play alongside him. He said, “You have to really give credit to a guy like that. Setting records and being his teammate; it’s a pleasure, man. It’s an honor. It makes the game easier.”

The way Luka plays basketball will always have its detractors. The only way to shut them up is by winning an NBA championship. But are the Mavs and Luka Doncic capable of that? Let us know in the comments below!