Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers' dynamic guard, continues to make waves in the NBA. With five All-NBA First Team selections already under his belt, Doncic's prowess on the court is undeniable. Yet, former NBA standout DeMarcus Cousins recently weighed in on the debate during an episode of “Run it Back,” suggesting that the All-NBA Second Team might be a more fitting spot for the Slovenian star this season.
Cousins, a notable two-time All-NBA Second Team member and four-time All-Star, cited team success as a key factor in his assessment. He placed Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown ahead of Doncic, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, when considering current performances.
Despite these opinions, Doncic's contributions to the Lakers are substantial. Even with the support of Austin Reaves and LeBron James, Doncic is the engine driving the team.
Leading the league in scoring, he's averaging an impressive 32.5 points per game with a 47.3 percent shooting accuracy. His playmaking abilities are evident as well, with Doncic dishing out 8.5 assists per game.
While defense might not be his hallmark, he's still managing to lead the Lakers with 1.5 steals per contest.
Cousins pointed to team records as a significant reason for placing Cunningham and Brown above Doncic. As of now, the Lakers have secured 40 wins, trailing behind the Pistons and Celtics, who boast 46 and 43 victories, respectively.
With the season still unfolding, Doncic and the Lakers have ample opportunity to bolster their win column and potentially shift the narrative. As the games progress, all eyes will be on Doncic to see how far he can carry his team.