WATCH: Clip of Luka Doncic Looking ‘Lost’ on Defense is Going Viral

Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers' lack of effort on the defensive end has seen them drop quite a few games in December.

WATCH: Clip of Luka Doncic Looking ‘Lost’ on Defense is Going Viral

Luka Doncic's effort on defense has found criticism (Image via FirstSportz)

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Ever since Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Los Angeles Lakers were blown out by the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day, fans have been questioning what the team is made of.

Their lack of effort is blatantly evident to the point that either analysts or former players have been discussing just how lackadaisical those men in purple and gold are. On top of it, fans have been creating videos to prove just how disconnected the team is.

One of those videos clearly shows the Slovenian superstar in his defensive positions when the Rockets came attacking into the paint. Other than his first attempt at trying to stop an opponent, Doncic was essentially standing around.

Neither did he do anything to reach out and help, nor was he moving into positions to at least help his teammates alter a Rockets’ attempt. As he was standing around, his teammates were left to fend for themselves.

This video has since gone viral, as it goes to prove that the Dallas Mavericks’ inhibitions about Luka Doncic’s lack of effort on the defensive end were true.

Even if one were to discount the fact that the entire Lakers team has not been giving their best in these past few games, that video cannot take away one’s opinion of how the 5-time All-NBA 1st-teamer was just standing pat.

He did nothing to help his team, which is not the solution to the problems the Lakers are currently facing. If they want to win, their best players have to lead by example.

Luka Doncic talks about leading by example

After that lackluster effort in their Christmas Day embarrassment, head coach JJ Redick came out swinging at all his players over their lack of focus. Then came their game against the Sacramento Kings, after which, Luka Doncic said this.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James led by example against Kings
Luka Doncic and LeBron James led by example against Kings (Image via DraftKings/X)

I think it definitely starts with us… We need to show what we can do. If we’re going to do it, we’re both going to do it, and the group is going to follow

Luka Doncic told reporters

The 26-year-old was specifically talking about how he and LeBron James, another teammate who has come under increasing criticism for the Lakers’ lack of defensive intensity, decided to lead by example.

He was referring to their collective effort, which helped the Los Angeles-based team end their three-game losing streak with an impressive team performance against the Kings.

Luka Doncic believes that he, ‘King James’, and Austin Reaves, whenever he is back from his injury, can continue leading the team by example, as he knows the rest will follow.

LeBron James echoes Luka Doncic’s ‘set the tone’ claim

As Luka Doncic was answering questions in the media facilities, some reporters went to the locker room to ask LeBron James about his chemistry with Doncic.

I don’t wanna create the narrative of me and Luka. There’s 5 guys on the floor and about 7 guys that comes off the bench. It needs to be all of us. It’s important that we set the tone.

LeBron James replied

The soon-to-be 41-year-old acknowledged that he and his younger superstar teammate have to set the tone. However, the team’s performance is about all the other players who produce.

Without a collective effort, none of the tone setting will work. He was happy that many players on the team could contribute, which is what led them to win comfortably against the Kings.

This means the conversations behind closed doors were focused on how the team can contribute as an entire unit, instead of just focusing on just their three or four most important players, and that resulted in an impressive collective win.

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