The Dallas Mavericks have tried to make it sound like Luka Doncic has all sorts of problems. He is fat and out of shape. He is a poor leader. A bad teammate. A spoiled diva.
Whether that is spin or difference of opinion, there is no question that the Mavericks -- especially GM Nico Harrison and owner Patrick Dumont -- look like fools for trading their young superstar. Their loss is the Los Angeles Lakers' gain, setting the purple-and-gold up for a decade of success, the latest all-time great to play for the franchise.
Yet cutting through the noise, there is one issue that has plagued Luka Doncic since the very start of his career. That problem wasn't left behind in Dallas, either, as it popped back up just minutes into the Lakers' first game against the Mavericks since the Doncic trade.
That problem? Luka can't stop complaining to the refs.
Luka is still whining to the referees
Luka Doncic got slapped with a technical in the opening minutes of the game Tuesday night after arguing a no-call to the referees. After a P.J. Washington paw to his arm prevented a layup with no whistle, Doncic let the refs know his displeasure. As is usual, he pushed the officials past the breaking point, and he was called for a technical.
An early tech for Luka against his former squad. 👀
— theScore (@theScore) February 26, 2025
(🎥: @TSN_Sports) pic.twitter.com/x334616kvo
That is hardly a new problem for Doncic, either. He ranks 10th in the league in technical fouls this season despite missing half the year. Last year he led the entire league with 19 techs. The year before he was third with 17, just behind noted disputants Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks. In 2022 and 2021 he was second in the league.
It's been an ongoing issue for Doncic, and one that spirals out to affect his team and its success. It's not only getting whistled for the technical fouls, giving a free point to the opponent, but it's also Doncic not getting back on defense and allowing opponents to run and score easy baskets while he trails the play.
It became such an issue that it was a national storyline in the NBA Finals last season (yes, in case you forgot, the Mavericks traded Luka just months after he led them to the Finals). ESPN's Brian Windhorst called Doncic out after a miserable Game 3 that saw Doncic foul out for the first time in his career. He responded with a season-saving performance in Game 4 (the Mavericks then lost in 5) but Doncic can't shake his reputation for constantly complaining to refs -- nor the consequences that come with it.
Luka Doncic brings a lot to the Lakers, including an elite basketball mind, preternatural passing and incredibly shot-making. He will win the Lakers a lot of basketball games over the next decade. They absolutely swindled the Mavericks.
Yet it is also true that he brings at least one Achilles heel, and at least as of Tuesday it was not something he has been able to grow beyond. It cost the Lakers one point against the Mavericks; it could cost them a whole lot more if Doncic doesn't change his ways.