For years, NBA conventional wisdom held that Luka Doncic is a transcendent offensive talent who struggled defensively. But as the 2025 EuroBasket unfolds, that narrative is being upended.
The Los Angeles Lakers star is now the tournament’s steal leader-averaging an eye-popping 3.2 steals per game-and has earned a nomination for the Best Defensive Player award.
NBA fans erupted on social media, many reacting with humor, astonishment, or admiring acceptance. One fan simply declared: “League is in trouble”, while another noted the end of a long-held opinion: “‘Can’t play defense’ narrative is officially over.”
Some went deeper, offering context for Doncic’s defensive impact: “Luka is an excellent post defender throughout his career. In this Eurobasket tournament, his team can comfortably hide him at painted area and mostly defend against postups. He doesn’t have to chase around the parameters as frequently as in NBA.”
Doncic’s defensive evolution
These reactions underscore how the EuroBasket stage is forcing a rethink of Doncic’s defensive reputation. He’s not just stuffing the stat sheet-he’s dominating across the board.
Currently, Doncic is topping the leaderboard in points (33.4 PPG), steals (3.2 SPG), and overall efficiency, reinforcing his commanding presence on both ends of the court.
His EuroBasket résumé already includes a rare triple-double in Slovenia’s first win, followed by a stunning 42-point performance against Italy, showcasing his all-around talent.
The contrast between Doncic’s European defensive performance and his NBA numbers is striking. In the NBA, Doncic averages just under 1.2 steals per game, often criticized for his spacing-related defensive lapses against elite athletes.
In EuroBasket, the slower pace and tighter team schemes allow him to anticipate passes and rotate effectively, maximizing his defensive instincts.
His current 3.2 steals per game represents nearly a threefold increase, emphasizing how context and style of play can highlight his underrated defensive capabilities. For Lakers fans, this performance offers hope that his improved defensive timing could carry over to the NBA.
Why are Doncic’s numbers on the rise?
Doncic’s defensive wizardry in Europe isn’t necessarily a sign of a permanent shift in his skill set-but it is significant.
At 3.2 steals per game, he’s disrupting offenses and grabbing headlines. That tempo and anticipation on defense feels different than what he typically brings in the NBA, where the pace is faster and the spacing wider.
In EuroBasket, players tend to match up more frequently in compact formations, allowing for traps and help-side rotations that cater to Doncic’s instinctual read-and-react style. Plus, his improved physical conditioning-quicker first step and stronger stamina-enhances his on-ball activity.
NBA fans and analysts now await to see how this summer translates back to L.A. With championship aspirations high, can his defensive energy become a major storyline in 2025-26? Doncic’s mentor-like leadership has already sparked hope among teammates.
Read the full article here
