Bill Simmons didn’t hold back when he went after Luka Doncic’s on-court demeanor.
On the latest episode of his podcast with The Ringer, Simmons said the Lakers star is in the middle of the “most insufferable” version of his career, even while acknowledging just how gifted Doncic is with the ball in his hands.
“I think the guy is brilliant, I think he’s one of the best offensive players I have ever seen in my life,” Simmons said. “But it’s not a new take to say that his behavior during games has been a little insufferable.
“I think this is the most insufferable he’s ever been. I can’t believe how he behaves for two and a half hours at these games, and I don’t know one person who enjoys it.”
Simmons’ issue centers on the way Doncic seems to spend so much of the game locked into arguments with officials and reacting to nearly everything around him. He said the guard comes across as “unhappy, constantly, with everybody,” and added, “And now if somebody talks s*** to him on the other team, then he’s gotta focus his rage on this.”
This isn’t the first time Simmons has aired that gripe. Last season, he also said LeBron James appeared frustrated by Doncic’s tendency to hunt for fouls.
Doncic, though, doesn’t seem interested in letting any of that stick. After the Lakers beat the Miami Heat, he brushed off a question about a technical foul with what was described as a rather amusing and seemingly dismissive reaction.
For now, the noise is staying outside the locker room. Doncic has kept rolling on the floor, putting up huge numbers night after night as the Lakers ride an impressive scoring stretch and his early MVP case keeps building.
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