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Gary Payton Questions Luka Doncic's Willingness To Become A Defensive Player
Gary Payton Questions Luka Doncic's Willingness To Become A Defensive Player originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Hall of Famer and 1996 Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton has weighed in on the lingering question that continues to follow Luka Doncic: Will he ever become a competent defender? Advertisement During a candid conversation at the BUDX NBA House event in Mumbai, Payton, renowned for his elite perimeter defense and relentless tenacity, didn't mince words. He didn't question Doncic's talent, he questioned his will. "Like I said, basketball is different than when I played because I could put my hands on them and I could hand check. We'll talk about Luka. You have to be dedicated to play defense. You have to be dedicated. Maybe that's not for him." "He's a scorer. He can do it. Now, if he gets his mind to it, I tell every kid that I go and do camps with, I say there's a mindset to play defense. Not just say you want to play defense. You can't do that unless you have a mindset to do that." "You have to have great hands and feet to do that. You have to be able to move. You have to be willing to take sacrifices to do things. And that's just the way it goes. I don't think Luka is a defensive player. I think he's a scorer. He's not one of that. But now, if he wants to, yes, he can get his mind to it to do it. But does he want to do it?" Advertisement "That's left up to him. That's not left up to us. He's an athlete. He's got great ability. Now, if he wants to go and change it and prove people wrong that he can't play defense, if that was me, I would change it." "I would say, yeah, I'm going to go out there and I'm going to try to defend somebody. And I'm going to get in shape. I'm going to do the things that I need to do. And I'm going to do that." This statement cuts to the heart of one of the biggest critiques of Luka Doncic. Offensively, there's no doubt he's a generational savant, a wizard with the ball, capable of scoring and facilitating at historic levels. But defensively, he's often compared to a traffic cone. In the 2025 Western Conference first-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic was repeatedly exposed in one-on-one matchups. Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley blew past him with ease, and clips of Luka conceding straight-line drives went viral. Advertisement Paul Pierce openly criticized Doncic on national television after the series, declaring that he has to learn how to play defense. Kendrick Perkins was even more direct, calling Doncic 'the worst defensive star in modern basketball.' And those criticisms had real-world consequences, they played a role in the Dallas Mavericks' shocking trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Mavs GM Nico Harrison defended the move by saying, 'Defense wins championships,' subtly implying that Doncic's limitations on that end were incompatible with their championship goals. Harrison believed Davis, despite being older and more injury-prone, gave Dallas the elite defensive anchor they lacked with Luka. The Boston Celtics also schemed Doncic into oblivion during the 2024 NBA Finals, targeting him relentlessly in pick-and-roll actions. The results were brutal: open looks, exposed rotations, and layups, all courtesy of Luka's sluggish foot speed and delayed reactions. Advertisement However, there are signs that Doncic is finally taking the criticism seriously. This offseason, photos surfaced of a slimmed-down Luka, reportedly after undergoing a modified diet and focused indoor training regimen. Now with the Lakers, he seems more determined than ever to shed the perception that he's a one-way player. Sources close to the team say his conditioning has vastly improved, and his attention to detail during film sessions has been sharper than in years past. Whether that transformation translates to better defensive results on the court remains to be seen. But as Gary Payton emphasized, defense isn't about talent, it's about choice. Doncic has all the tools to become a passable, even respectable defender. But only time will tell if the new-look Lakers star finally develops the mindset required to back it up. Advertisement Related: Luka Doncic Predicted To Take $63 Million Hit On Lakers' Contract Following $100 Million+ Loss In Mavericks Trade This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
First-Ever BUDX NBA House In India To Take Place In June
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Budweiser today announced that the first-ever BUDX NBA House in India, an interactive fan event celebrating the convergence of basketball, music and culture, will take place on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 at the DOME, SVP Stadium, in Mumbai. Held in conjunction with the 2025 NBA Finals, the two-day event will feature basketball-themed activities, live musical performances, meet-and-greets with five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton, photo opportunities with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, as well as performances by Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson, the Kings Dancers and the Kings' dunk team. "The first BUDX NBA House will be a must-visit destination for the passionate NBA fans in India to come together and celebrate their love of the game amid the excitement of the NBA Finals," said NBA Asia Head of Strategy and NBA India Country Head Rajah Chaudhry. "We look forward to bringing this signature showcase of the NBA, music and culture to India at a time when there is incredible momentum around basketball in the country." "Budweiser has always been at the forefront of cultural and entertainment experiences, and we are proud to associate with the NBA to bring the first-ever BUDX NBA House to India," said Vice President Marketing and Trade Marketing, AB InBev India, Vineet Sharma. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to creating unforgettable moments for fans that not only celebrate the game of basketball, but also push boundaries in offering immersive experiences in music, sports and culture. We have been pioneers in shaping music culture in India, and this experience will further our mission of bringing alive never-before seen trendsetting experiences for Indian youth." BUDX NBA House will be produced and ticketed by District by Zomato. In addition to Budweiser, BUDX NBA House will be supported by a roster of partners, including Brand USA, Emirates and Visit California. Listen to the latest songs, only on
