Nick Wright Defends Luka Doncic as Critics Write Off Lakers Star for MVP Run

Luka Doncic has made a strong case for league MVP over the last few weeks.

Nick Wright Defends Luka Doncic as Critics Write Off Lakers Star for MVP Run

Nick Wright on Luka Doncic (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Luka Doncic is averaging 33.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, making a strong case for MVP.
  • Nick Wright argues that Doncic deserves more recognition in the MVP race despite criticisms of his defense.
  • Skip Bayless labels Doncic as the least efficient player in the NBA, citing poor shooting percentages.

Luka Doncic is looking to win his first MVP award this season. After going through some ups and downs with their form since the turn of the year, the Los Angeles Lakers have been on a good run, and it is largely due to the performances of their star point guard.

American sports television personality and NBA analyst Nick Wright came to the defense of the Slovenian and made a case for him to be in the MVP conversation.

Score 33 or more on 50+ win team in the last 60 years. Wilt did it, won MVP. Kareem did it, won MVP. Jordan did it, won MVP. Harden did it as defending MVP and came second to Giannis. Luka did it before and he finished a distant third. Now we are talking about him finishing fourth or fifth. Everyone that’s ever done this has either one MVP or had already won an MVP and came close except for Luka and now it’s going to happen to him again.

Nick Wright on Luka Doncic

In the month of March, the Lakers have gone 12-2. They are coming off a six-game road trip where Luka Doncic averaged over 40 points per game. He is the first player since Michael Jordan to average such numbers in the last 40 years. During this period, he even had his first-ever 60-point game as a Laker.

There is no doubt that Doncic is the focal point of this Lakers team with LeBron James at the backend of his career. He leads the league in scoring and is currently averaging 33.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. While critics have called him out for his poor defense and constant nagging of referees, it has not stopped him from posting MVP numbers.

The Lakers are currently third in the highly competitive Western Conference standings with a 47-26 record. They are 1.5 games ahead of fourth-place Denver Nuggets with just nine games to go in the regular season. However, as things stand, Nick Wright believes Doncic deserves a lot more noise in the MVP race.

Skip Bayless on Luka Doncic’s poor efficiency

Popular American sports columnist Skip Bayless has always been regarded as one of the harshest critics of LeBron James. But it looks like it is no different for Doncic either. Doncic may lead the league in scoring, but his efficiency has not necessarily been great.

On his recent appearance on the Gil’s Arena Show, Skip Bayless said Luka Doncic is the least efficient player in the NBA.

Because from three he’s 36% which is if you look at it that ranks 96th in the league. So, he’s taking the most three point shots and he’s 96th in making those shots. And from the free throw line he takes the most free throws and he’s 86th in making free throws, because he is a 70% free throw shooter. So, he’s by superstar standards he’s a poor three point shooter and a poor free throw shooter. But he’s leading the league in attempts and attempts.

Skip Bayless on Gil’s Arena Show

Being the primary scorer and ball-handler in the team, it is expected of Doncic to lead his team in field goal and three-point attempts. He leads the league in free-throw attempts at 10.2.

Chandler Parsons on Luka Doncic

When the Lakers traded for Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis, they were giving up one of the best defenders in the league for an offensive genius. Since acquiring the 27-year-old at the trade deadline last year, the Lakers have seen a significant decline in their defense. However, they still traded for a generational talent who is making a solid case for the MVP award this year.

Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic (Image credits – Los Angeles Lakers/X)

Former NBA player Chandler Parsons weighed in on Doncic’s performance this season.

There is no denying that Doncic and Nikola Jokic are the worst defenders in the race. But Jokic was as well when he won the MVP three times. He can be a lot better defensively but offensively, in a weird ways, outweighs his defensive liability because he has been on an absolute heater that we haven’t seen in a while.

Chandler Parsons on Run It Back

It is hard to imagine where the Lakers would be without Doncic. For all the criticism he receives for his lack of defense, Doncic has been instrumental in lifting the Lakers over the last 15 games.

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