Rich Paul surprisingly defends Luka Doncic from unwarranted hate

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is catching a ton of flak right now. Fans and analysts alike are criticizing Luka all over social media for his lackluster defensive effort, which has lately served as a symbol for Los Angeles' horrid team defense in December (29th in defensive rating).

NBC's Reggie Miller went viral when he called out Luka's defense during the Lakers' Dec. 30 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Fans have been posting clips to X depicting a lazy Luka giving up on defensive possessions, all under the premise that Luka must change.

Luka's blame in the Lakers' defensive struggles is difficult to measure (it's certainly not small), but he's not the only defensive liability wearing purple and gold. Los Angeles as a unit owns a poor defensive mindset, and that has to change in 2026 if the Lakers have any contention aspirations.

Bringing in another rim protector might help cover up the weak perimeter D from guys like Luka and Austin Reaves, but there's only so much a shot-blocker can do when three out of his four teammates on the floor aren't holding their own when it comes to containing penetration. Doncic and Reaves are problematic in that regard, but so is a 41-year-old LeBron James on many nights.

If Game 7 of the NBA Finals were tomorrow, there's no doubt that the Lakers could dig in and defend like maniacs for 48 minutes. Peak performance isn't the issue for the Lakers; consistency is.

What's frustrating for JJ Redick (and fans) right now is that Los Angeles doesn't bring the same effort on a night-to-night basis. This bodes poorly for the rest of the regular season, which is bad news for playoff seeding (given the depth of the West), and it's also an indicator that the Lakers wouldn't fare well in a long series.

Rich Paul just defended Luka Doncic against poor defense accusations

Here's one thought to the contrary that might tickle Lakers fans willing to entertain it in the slightest. Are people overreacting to LA's defense right now, particularly when it comes to Luka? Recent comments made by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul suggest that the Luka hate is overblown.

Speaking with Max Kellerman on an episode of the Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul podcast, Paul defended Luka when Kellerman asserted that Doncic has to at least play team defense for the Lakers to work.

"I think he will," Paul said, before referring to the Pistons game as an "off night" for Doncic.

Paul also insinuated that Luka shouldn't be receiving all of the blame for the Lakers' defensive shortcomings.

"I'm not saying just be a matador," Paul said. "But I am saying we have to look at everyone's film ... 'cause it's easy to have revisionist history."

That film certainly includes some questionable defensive showings from Paul's chief client, LeBron. But if taking some of the defensive blame off of Luka's shoulders is what's helpful for the Lakers, maybe Paul is onto something.