Paul Pierce Calls Out Luka Doncic’s Defensive MindSet: It’s Not His Weight

Luka Doncic’s Offensive Brilliance Has Never Been In Question, But His Defense Continues to Draw Sharp Criticism –this Time from Paul Pierce.

Speaking on FS1’s SpeakThe Former Celtics Forward Shifted the Conversation Surrounding Doncic’s Weight Loss to What He Considers the Real Issue: His Effort on Defense.

“The Guy Averices 30, Eight and Eight, and Y’all Talking About His Weight,” Pierce SAID, VIA Lakers Daily. “Let’s Talk about his Mentality on Defeense ‘Cause I Figure that’s the Issue.”

Doncic, Who Average 28.2 Points, 8.1 Rebounds, and 7.5 Assists in 28 Games with the Los Angeles Lakers This Season, Also Tallied 1.6 Steals Per Game.

Still, Critics Have Pointed to his Difficulty Containing Scorers in the Playoffs, Especially Durling The Lakers’ First-Round Series Against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jaden MCDANILS POSTED A 68.8 Effective Field Goal Percentage when guarded by Doncic, One of the Most Efficient Matchings in the Opening Round.

Pierce Emphasized that Defense Comes Download to Attattude and Effort, Not Body Type.

“Defeense Is a Mentality,” Pierce Continied. “Rebounding and the Effort Stuff Is Hustle Mentality.

The 26-year-id slovenian Star Joined the Lakers in a Blockbuster February Trade After a strayed CALF SIDELINED HIM for Over A month.

He RTUURNED to Form Quickly, Recording Multiple Triple-Doubles and Scoring A Season-He.

In the 2025 Playoffs, Doncic Average 30.2 Points, 7.0 Rebounds, and 5.8 Assists Across Five Games, Including A 37-Point Performance in His Lakers Postseason Debut.

How, Los Angeles Exite in the First Round, Falling To Minnesota in Five GamesReignting Long-Standing Concers About Doncede Limitations.

Pierce Did’s Question Doncic’s Production But MainTained that His Defensive Shortcomings Coup Become a Liability.

“He Need to Learn How to Play Some Damn Defense and Not Get Isorated and Picked on,” Pierce SAID. “That’s the issue with him, not his weight.”

With the Lakers Heading INTO A Pivotal Offseason, Focus Will Likely Remain on How The Team Can Better Support Doncic –or how he can adjust his Approach on Both Ends of the Court.