When the conversation turns to the best player in the NBA right now, a few names are automatic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and has leveled up on both ends of the floor.
Nikola Jokic, with three MVPs under his belt, is still doing things that make you shake your head in disbelief. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a two-way force, even as the Bucks navigate some turbulence.
And Victor Wembanyama? He’s not just knocking on the door - he’s about to kick it down.
Then there’s Luka Doncic.
The Slovenian superstar has already racked up five All-NBA First Team selections and is currently leading the league in scoring at 33.3 points per game. He’s got the Lakers sitting at 25-16, squarely in the Western Conference mix.
Offensively, he’s a walking highlight reel. He controls tempo, sees passing angles before they develop, and can score from anywhere on the floor.
Luka doesn’t just run an offense - he is the offense.
But here’s the thing: when fans and analysts start stacking up the league’s best, Luka often lands just a step below the top tier. And the reason is no secret - it’s his defense.
Let’s be clear: Luka isn’t alone in this. Jokic heard the same criticisms for years.
But over time, the Nuggets big man improved enough on that end to quiet the noise. He may never be a rim protector in the classic sense, but he’s become a reliable team defender who doesn’t get played off the floor in big moments.
That shift helped elevate Jokic from MVP to champion - and from star to superstar.
Shai? He’s a menace on the perimeter.
Giannis has a DPOY trophy on the shelf. Wembanyama might win one in his sleep if he stays healthy.
Luka, meanwhile, still has work to do.
On a recent episode of No Fouls Given, Paul Pierce didn’t mince words. “I don’t think that you can be the best player in the league without playing both sides of the ball,” Pierce said. “Yeah, you’ll win an MVP, but I don’t think you’ll be considered the best player in the league.”
That’s a strong statement from a guy who’s been there. Pierce even compared Luka’s trajectory to James Harden’s - another offensive wizard who never quite got the “best in the league” label, largely because of his defense. Harden won an MVP, led the league in scoring, and carried teams deep into the playoffs, but the lack of defensive impact always followed him.
Pierce believes Luka will win an MVP someday. But unless he takes a real step on defense, that elusive “best player in the world” title might stay just out of reach.
This past offseason, Luka slimmed down - a move many hoped would improve his lateral quickness and stamina on defense. But so far, it hasn’t translated.
Last season, the Lakers finished 17th in team defensive rating. This year?
They’ve slid to 26th. That’s a steep drop, and while it’s not all on Doncic, he’s the team’s engine.
When your star struggles defensively, it sets a tone.
Now, Luka doesn’t need to transform into a lockdown defender overnight. His offensive ceiling is so high that even a moderate improvement on defense could change the conversation.
He doesn’t have to be on the All-Defensive Team - he just has to be dependable. Get in a stance, fight through screens, rotate on time.
If he can do that, the narrative shifts.
And it’s not just about personal accolades. A more engaged Luka on defense could be the difference between the Lakers being a good team and being a legitimate title threat.
Right now, there are plenty of people who doubt whether a core of Doncic and Austin Reaves can win it all. And that skepticism doesn’t stem from their offense - it’s their defense that raises eyebrows.
To be fair, Luka’s only been in Los Angeles for less than a year. It takes time to build around a player like him.
Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office are still figuring out how to construct a roster that maximizes his strengths and covers his weaknesses. They’ve got the foundation - now it’s about finding the right pieces.
But make no mistake: if the Lakers can tighten things up defensively and Luka takes even a small leap on that end, he’ll be right back in the MVP conversation - and maybe, just maybe, in the “best player alive” debate too.
Because when you’ve got a guy who can score 33 a night, run your offense like a maestro, and hit dagger shots in crunch time, all that’s missing is the other side of the ball. If Luka ever locks in defensively, the league won’t just have a problem - it might have a new king.