Lakers’ Defensive Woes: Doncic & Reaves Labeled ‘Liabilities’

Lakers’ Defensive Collapse: Doncic and Reaves Called ‘Flagrant Liabilities’

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing intense scrutiny following a tough loss, with analysts on ESPN’s First Take labeling Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as “flagrant liabilities” on defense. The sentiment suggests that the Lakers’ issues extend far beyond this season, raising serious questions about the franchise’s future direction and the ability to build a championship team around their current core.

‘Losses are Louder’ for the Lakers

The Lakers’ recent defeat, described as a “one-possession clutch game,” has amplified concerns. While the team has shown clutch performance for much of the season, the nature of their losses, particularly on the defensive end, is drawing significant criticism. “Our losses are louder than other teams because we’re the Lakers and because of the way we lose,” acknowledged JJ Redick, reflecting a sentiment echoed by the panel.

Perk: ‘Excuses are Over, It’s Time to Coach’

Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins minced no words, stating, “JJ got more excuses than a brother going to jail. I don’t want to hear that. You got to Now it’s time for you to coach. Get the attention of your locker room.” Perkins pointed to the Lakers being “one of the worst defensive teams in the league” as a direct reflection on the coaching staff.

Future of the Lakers: Can Doncic and Reaves Lead a Championship Run?

The core of the debate centers on the long-term viability of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic as the cornerstones of a championship-contending team. “Are we sure that Austin Reeves and Luka Donic can be your two max guys and you could build around those two guys to go win the championship? I don’t. No,” stated Perkins. The argument is rooted in their defensive shortcomings, with stats indicating they are frequently targeted by opponents. “The word around the NBA. If you want to beat the Lakers, search out the matchup either with Luca because he’s getting scored on 49% of the time when he’s defender or go find Austin Ree because he gets scored on 48% of the time,” Perkins revealed.

‘Flagrant Defensive Liabilities’ on the Court

The discussion highlighted specific plays, like the final possession of the game, where defensive breakdowns involving Doncic and Reaves were evident. “They isolated Luca and attacked him. LeBron knew that Luca was going to get beat, so he comes running over from the corner and tackles Luca like a linebacker and they get caught in rotation,” described Redick. He added, “And I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m wondering if Luca should even been out there for that play… Then, oh boy, they got Austin Reeves out there and he’s lost in rotation, too. I’m like, ‘I don’t think uh Luca and Austin should have been out there. They’re so weak defensively.'”

“You can’t have two individuals in your starting lineup that are such flagrant defensive liabilities. There is no way around that.” – Stephen A. Smith

Roster Construction and Offensive Reliance

The Lakers’ roster limitations were also a focal point. With key players injured or seeing limited minutes, such as Jared Vanderbilt playing only six minutes, the team’s options are constrained. The analysis suggests that the team’s offensive potential hinges entirely on Reaves, LeBron James, and Doncic being exceptional offensively, a standard they have not consistently met when playing together.

Durant’s Milestone and the Greatest Scorer Debate

Amidst the Lakers’ struggles, the conversation shifted to Kevin Durant’s historic achievement of surpassing 32,000 career points. Durant became the sixth player in NBA history to reach this milestone, joining an elite group including LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. He also tied Kobe Bryant for the fifth most 30-point games in NBA history with 431.

Durant’s Place Among the All-Time Greats

The panel engaged in a spirited debate about Durant’s ranking among the all-time greats, with many placing him firmly in the top 10, and some even arguing for him as the greatest scorer ever. “I think that we I think he’s top 10 all time,” said Stephen A. Smith. “Me personally, when I think about, you know, him and we we can get we can try to kneel it down and get specific about who’s in, who’s out. My question is is that who we going to look at and see at 7 feet tall with a 76 wingspan with those ball handling skills, that shot making ability from long range, from mid-range, from the free throw line. I mean, the guy is absolutely spectacular.”

Perkins championed Durant’s scoring prowess, stating, “He is the greatest scorer to ever play the game of basketball. The greatest score. When you talk about a guy that has zero flaws, he’s Beyonce on the offensive end. He’s flawless.” He highlighted Durant’s efficiency, including his record eight seasons averaging at least 25 points per game on 50/40/90 shooting splits, a feat unmatched in NBA history.

The Lakers’ Playoff Picture and Organizational Outlook

The Lakers now find themselves just one game ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture, increasing the urgency to avoid the play-in tournament. Losing to the Suns without Devin Booker and De’Andrew Brooks further compounds their defensive issues. The article suggests that the Lakers’ organizational focus was on the 2026-2027 season, with the current season being an attempt to “make the best of it.”

Source: Stephen A. calls Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves FLAGRANT LIABILITIES after Lakers loss | First Take (YouTube)