"That's why Dallas let him go" - NBA analyst downplays Luka Doncic’s status as Lakers’ cornerstone citing leadership concerns
Colin Cowherd believes there are major differences between how LeBron James and Luka Doncic approach the game.
Cowherd pointed out that the team plays differently when James is on the sidelines. James missed seven straight games because of a groin injury and the team went 3-4 with Doncic as the No. 1 option.
Cowherd said he has concerns about Doncic's reputation as the new franchise star.
"Even way past his prime LeBron has won without AD, has won without Austin Reaves and won without Luka. Won with bad coaches," Cowherd said on Tuesday. "But Luka without LeBron or LeBron at a 100%, Lakers get throttled by bad teams. Why is that?"
He said that Doncic's inability to lead a team like James is the reason he was traded by Dallas.
"That's why Dallas let him go and I wouldn't have," Cowherd added. "But this idea that Luka was like LeBron ... that's not what Luka is, and you're seeing it here.
"Luka's game is much more individualist... more of a lead singer in a band who could occasionally step back... LeBron's always been more Magic [Johnson] than Michael [Jordan] or Kobe [Bryant]. He's much more an orchestra leader, elevating everybody," the analyst added.
Luka Doncic was called a "ball hog" after losing third straight game
The Lakers are on a three-game losing streak and critics have blamed Doncic for the team's issues.
After their loss against the Orlando Magic on Monday, Chris Broussard labeled him a "ball hog" on Tuesday's episode of "First Things First."
"When you are just watching one guy operate and you’re standing there watching him do all this, even if he’s making some of them, they’re bad shots, and that takes away from your morale,” Broussard said.
“Especially when that guy can’t defend. When he’s getting blown by and beaten on defense and then coming down and shooting all these shots, that seeps away at your morale and affects you on the other end of the floor.”
Broussard said the team lacks movement whenever Doncic has the ball in his hands.