"If he wasn't a scorer, I would cut him": Former Laker and 2024 Hall of Famer hammers Luka Doncic, says he is too slow
LA Lakers great Michael Cooper has taken a shot at Luka Doncic and his style of play. Cooper criticized the Mavs star's lack of speed and defensive effort during a game of “Start, Bench, Cut,” which featured Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Damian Lillard.
The five-time NBA champion and five-time All-Defensive First Team member, who is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, said he would consider cutting Luka Doncic based on his style of play.
“He’s too slow for me,” Cooper said on the Showtime podcast. “If he wasn’t a scorer, I would cut him. I give him credit for that, but to me, he’s lazy. Doesn’t hustle back on defense.”
Cooper is known for his defensive prowess, having won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1987. He was named to All-Defensive Teams a total of eight times. He eventually chose to start Lillard, bench Doncic and cut Irving. His co-host disagreed, opting to start Doncic, bench Irving and cut Lillard.
Doncic averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds in 70 games during the 2023-24 season, earning his fifth All-Star selection. His teammate, Kyrie Irving, averaged 25.6 points, 5.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 58 games, with the Mavericks reaching the finals but losing to the Boston Celtics.
Meanwhile, Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 73 games, making his eighth All-Star appearance.
In terms of defense, Lillard was 42nd in defensive win shares last season, while Irving and Doncic were 53rd and 62nd, respectively.
Luka Doncic's Mavericks among teams with most nationally televised games in 2024-25 season
Following their finals appearance last season, the Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic, have solidified their position as one of the top teams in the league. In their playoff run, they eliminated the LA Clippers, OKC Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Next season, fans will have ample opportunity to watch them play, as the Mavericks have 30 nationally televised games, which is tied for the fifth most in the league alongside the Phoenix Suns. These 30 games will be broadcast on ESPN, TNT, ABC and NBA TV.
The Mavericks have undergone a significant retooling, adding Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, Spencer Dinwiddie and Kessler Edwards to their core of Doncic and Irving.
They have lost Derrick Jones Jr., who joined the Clippers in free agency, and Josh Green and Tim Hardaway, who were traded to the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons, respectively.