'As far as production, he's one of the most productive players ever' — Paul Pierce defends Luka Doncic against weight concerns
For a long time, Luka Doncic has been under the microscope during the offseason, with critics focusing on his weight instead of his amazing performance on the court. He's putting up 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game and has been named to the All-NBA First Team five times in a row, yet the chatter often revolves around his physical appearance.
NBA icon Paul Pierce has had it. On FS1's SPEAK, Pierce fervently defended Doncic, claiming that the real concern isn't his weight but his defensive attitude. His straightforward comments have reignited the discussion: should we concentrate on Doncic's body or his basketball skills?
Paul Pierce urges focus on Luka Doncic's hustle, not his body
During a segment on
SPEAK
, Paul Pierce addressed the ongoing discourse surrounding Luka Doncic's weight. When asked about Doncic's slimmer appearance, Pierce responded, 'I don't know, Joy [Taylor].
The guy averages 30, 8, and 8, and y'all are talking about his weight. Let's talk about his mentality on defense because I figure that's the issue.' He emphasized that defense is more about effort and mindset than physical condition, stating, 'Defense is a mentality thing.
Rebounding and the effort stuff is hustle mentality. It has nothing to do with his weight.'
Pierce highlighted Doncic's consistent high-level performance, noting, 'As far as production, he's one of the most productive players ever. He's been first team All-NBA every single year!' He pointed out that if Doncic is getting these results at his current weight, we ought to concentrate on aspects like his defensive dedication. Pierce also made a comparison to
LeBron James
, who had standout seasons with the Miami Heat while being heavier.
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The talk about Doncic's weight really picked up after he was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers midseason. Critics highlighted his conditioning as a reason for the Mavericks not doing well in the playoffs. But former NBA player
Michael Beasley
came to Doncic's defense, saying that these kinds of stories can hurt players' reputations and mental health.
Slimmed-down Luka, Saquon talks tush push, LeBron, Wilt or Bo the GOAT American athlete? | SPEAK
Lately, Doncic's significant weight loss has gotten people talking.
Some, including Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, have raised eyebrows about how quickly he changed, hinting at the possibility of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. Meanwhile, others are just waiting for him to get back on the court to see how it affects his game.
Paul Pierce's defense of Luka Doncic gives us a fresh viewpoint in the ongoing conversation about the player's weight and his performance. While critics have made Doncic's physical condition a hot topic, Pierce points out that improving his defensive effort and mindset is far more important.
Also Read:
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark to miss at least two weeks with left quadriceps strain suffered against New York Liberty
As Doncic gets ready for the upcoming season with the Los Angeles Lakers, the focus will be on his defensive play and how it impacts the team's success. Ultimately, it will be his steady performance and commitment on both ends of the court that will define Doncic's legacy, not the scale's reading.
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