Two weeks ago, Max Kellerman stirred the pot with some harsh words for Luka Doncic, suggesting Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics was the superior player. But since then, Doncic has been on a tear, and the Los Angeles Lakers have surged to a 6-1 record.
Kellerman quipped that if Doncic ever got a statue, it would depict him "complaining to the refs." He doubled down on his critique on the "Bill Simmons Podcast," claiming Doncic's growth had been "stunted." Fast forward, and the Lakers are now just half a game out of third place, with Doncic firing on all cylinders.
Luka Doncic's Impact on the Lakers
Following Kellerman's comments, Doncic has been lighting up the scoreboard, ranking second in the NBA in scoring, only overtaken by Bam Adebayo's unexpected 83-point explosion. The Lakers have been dominant, outscoring their opponents by an average of 13 points, and locking down teams like the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Since February 27, when Kellerman made his second round of comments, Doncic has been averaging 31.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, shooting an impressive 49.7% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. He's been doing this without LeBron James, who has been sidelined with an injury during the Lakers' current three-game winning streak.
In their latest matchup against the Wolves, Doncic posted a 31-point triple-double, leading the team to a 14-point victory with help from Austin Reaves, who also scored 31. Against the Knicks, Doncic dropped 35 points while Reaves added 25, as the Lakers held the Knicks under 100 points. These are standout performances against teams with championship aspirations.
The Dynamics Within the Lakers
While it might just be coincidence that Kellerman's remarks were made alongside Rich Paul, LeBron's agent, there's undeniable tension between Paul's camp and the Lakers. The Lakers traded Anthony Davis, LeBron's close ally, to bring in Doncic. They also attempted to bring in center Mark Williams, a move that was later reversed, despite LeBron's calls for a new center.
The situation intensified when the Lakers chose not to offer LeBron a multiyear deal last summer, opting instead to keep salary-cap flexibility for 2026, signaling a focus on Doncic and the future.
Though Doncic and LeBron haven't clicked perfectly this season, the pairing of Doncic and Reaves has been stellar. While Doncic might still have his moments with the referees and defensive lapses, these issues were present in the LeBron-led Lakers before Doncic's arrival.
For the Lakers to make a serious playoff push, both stars need to shine. Regardless of any sideline antics, Doncic is performing at an MVP level, and that's what the Lakers need as they eye a deep postseason run.