Luka Doncic leads the NBA in scoring during the 2025-26 season. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar also sits atop the entire league when it comes to free throw attempts per game. That was always going to create a convenient (and false) narrative for anyone who wanted it.
Some NBA fans have tried to create a discussion for Doncic that is similar to that of Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This weird portion of the community would have you believe Luka's game is built on foul-baiting. Those people are clearly not watching the Lakers play.
Doncic is earning those free throw attempts. The Lakers superstar point guard is definitely getting hacked, and then some. Why else would the (overblown) talking point of Luka complaining to the referees exist? The top-five player gets mauled with regularity.
The statistic sticks out all the same and some have tried so hard to push the talk of Doncic being a free throw merchant. Of course, that discounts the fact that Luka would still be enjoy a comfortable spot on any scoring list with those being taken away. Not that they should be. Doncic works hard for his charity stripe opportunities.
Luka Doncic earns every last free throw attempt he gets with the Lakers
This idea of a favorable whistle is just not real. Doncic gets his scoring opportunities at the line by playing his elite change of pace game and forcing defenders to make that contact in a desperate attempt of keeping up.
A recent episode of the show debated that aspect of Luka's game. It became an interesting discussion in dissecting what it truly means to bait that call.
"Luka doesn't bait," Brian Windhorst said.
Tim MacMahon did not agree. Windhorst immediately retorted with the idea that it was not the predominant way in which Doncic gets to the line.
What was odd is MacMahon then countered his initial disagreement by talking about how Doncic forces his defenders into positions where if you are not fouling, there is no defending him. The ESPN analyst said Luka bullies guys when he gets down low.
From this point of view, MacMahon really defeated his own initial rebuttal. There is a fine difference between creating the contact through the way you play, and actively seeking out an opportunity to shoot free throws. Doncic walks the right side of that equation.
Naturally, these conversations are a bit silly in any case. Points are points at the end of the day. They count all the same, and help a team win. That is why Doncic is not thrilled when officials do not give him that call.
Still, for the ethical hoops enjoyers, the narrative here needs to fade away. It is just so disconnected from what is actually happening in the games themselves.