NBA – Jeff Teague: “I hate watching Luka Doncic play, and this is why”

Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif

With a profile that was already divisive before arriving at the Lakers, Luka Doncic has only increased this phenomenon following his trade to the franchise. After his elimination from the playoffs, Jeff Teague revealed that he doesn’t appreciate seeing him at work on the floor.

Voted Rookie of the Year in 2019, he enjoyed an excellent overall rating on the NBA planet. Luka Doncic, however, has continued to plummet over the years. Apart from Mavericks fans, many of whom continued to worship him, many observers criticized him for his shortcomings. Even during Dallas’ run in the 2024 playoffs, which ended in defeat in the Finals.

For some, it was the Slovenian’s grumpiness that made them hate him. For others, it was his defensive lapses, which cost his former franchise dearly against the Celtics. It’s clear that he didn’t learn the lessons he needed to from this experience, as it’s these same errors that were singled out following the Lakers’ recent end-of-season performance.

Jeff Teague smashes Luka Doncic’s double-sided game

Invited to comment on the Lakers’ premature elimination by the Timberwolves in his Club 520, Jeff Teague dwelt on the Doncic case. The opportunity for him to give his thoughts on the matter:

Jeff Teague: I hate watching Luka play these days. His defense is so bad… Everyone plays in isolation on him!

It has to be said that the Wolves have taken great pleasure in targeting the Angelino full-back on defense. Teague reproaches the latter for his lack of reaction, even though he doesn’t consider himself to be in a position to make such comments:

Jeff Teague: I may not have been a good defender, but not all my opponents were making isolations on me. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s hard to see that.

The former Atlanta point guard also refuses to hear any physical excuses for Luka’s difficulties in this area:

Jeff Teague: I’ve seen people start to say that he defends like that because his back hurts. And yet, he didn’t seem to be bothered when attacking! But everyone kept saying that. As far as I’m concerned, his defense is so bad that I can’t even appreciate what he’s doing in attack.

If he wants to make everyone agree on his talent and win his first title in Los Angeles, the main man involved knows what he has to do.