It’s an era where elite scorers are expected to contribute more than just points, and for Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, that means recognizing how much stronger his entire game could be with improved defense and better team engagement. After a recent outing where he logged 41 minutes, Doncic didn’t shy away from selfreflection.
“I think I’m getting better on defensive end. Just trying to be more involved, more communication. Overall 41 minutes, I like that,” Doncic said.
It’s a shift in mindset for a player who has historically drawn criticism for his effort and consistency on the defensive side of the floor. But this time, the narrative is different-he’s not passing the buck; he’s owning it.
“Not giving him enough touches. That was on me today, gotta help him out,” Doncic added, referring to the need to feed his teammate.
While the Lakers‘ offense often revolves around Doncic‘s brilliance, he understands that true championship contenders demand twoway impact. This realization comes at a time when the organization-and its fans-expect more. Gone are the days when scoring average alone would silence doubt; now, the roster needs balance, identity, and cohesion.
Bridging offense and defense: the dual role Doncic is embracing
What stands out in Doncic‘s comments is the dual message: yes, I need to defend better. And yes, I need to make others around me better. It’s not common for a highusage star to talk publicly about “touches” or “helping out” teammates, but that’s exactly where he finds himself.
The Lakers‘ coaching staff has emphasized building a defensive identity. Part of that effort is empowering players like Doncic to lead by example-not just via statistics, but through energy, communication, and executing teamdefensive structures. When the floor is balanced, his offense becomes harder to guard, and his defense becomes more credible.
This season provides a window of opportunity. With key additions and a refreshed roster, the Lakers have the pieces to be formidable-if they can gel. But the weight of expectations remains significant. For a star like Doncic, the challenge isn’t just scoring 30 every night; it’s doing everything required to win.
That means taking the tough shots on offense, sure-but also defending until his lungs burn. It means orchestrating the attack, yes-but also reading the opponent’s rhythm and disrupting it. It means acknowledging past lapses, committing to corrective action, and owning outcomes.
With his words today, Doncic signaled a transformation in mindset: not satisfied with being elite in one half of the floor, but striving to be complete. In a league where rings are elusive and narratives brutal, that selfawareness might be his most important play of the year.
If the Lakers are to meet their promise, it won’t come from gloss or hype-it will come from players like Luka Doncic making what he called “better touches,” stronger finishes, and yes-a defense worth trusting. The offensive load may still fall heavy-but the message is clear: to win, you must guard.
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