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Time of India
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
After Gary Payton's defensive challenge, Luka Doncic begins new chapter with Los Angeles Lakers focused on hustle and heart
(Image Source - Getty Images) Fresh from a mid-season trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025—a major deal for Anthony Davis and other assets—Luka received some pointed advice from NBA legend Gary Payton at the BUDX NBA House in Mumbai, who reminded him, "Defense is a mindset. " At 26 years old, this five-time All-Star is using every bit of that criticism to fuel a transformation with the Lakers, gearing up to meet the expectations on both ends of the court. Can Doncic's lunch‑buckets work to shift the Lakers defense? Luka's first days in L.A. were a wild experience. He was still scoring like a pro—averaging 28.2 points per game during the 2024–25 season split between Dallas and L.A.—but critics were laser-focused on his defense. After the Lakers' first-round loss to Minnesota, Charles Barkley made it clear, saying Luka "can't guard a chair." Payton and Robert Horry backed him up, suggesting that if Luka wants to change his legacy, he needs to prioritize defense. Luka's reply was a serious promise to transform. In recent weeks, several reports have highlighted a visibly slimmer and fitter version of the Slovenian star, deeply involved in strict diet and workout plans. It was mentioned that his offseason is driven by "disrespect towards his work ethic," and it was "offseason due to the embarrassment" after trade talks and playoff letdowns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo Another point to note is that the Lakers' front office is all in on this transformation. Team president Rob Pelinka and coach J.J. Redick has compared the process of integrating Luka mid-season to "building an airplane in the sky." They praised his dedication, referring to his presence as a "total energy reset," and confirmed that they will be making summer roster changes to support his two-way game. The fact that they want to hire a new Head Strength & Conditioning Coach with a pay scale of up to $250K tells you something about how much they care about his fitness. With Luka in charge, Lakers veterans and insiders are feeling hopeful. Reddit users pointed out that even if he might not become a "defensive beast," his average defensive effort paired with his offensive skills could turn him into an unstoppable all-star. One fan even said, "He's going to be a monster next year." Also Read: 'I never lose belief' — Tyrese Haliburton's clutch shots and vulnerability have revived Indiana basketball's soul Luka Doncic's time with the Lakers isn't solely about racking up 30-point games—it's about establishing a solid defensive strategy, welcoming a transformative offseason, and dedicating himself to a championship mindset. Following Gary Payton's public challenge and Barkley's harsh comments, Doncic finds himself at a pivotal moment. If this determined, passionate version of Luka remains, the Lakers could gain a lot, and so could his legacy—shaping a future not just as a top scorer, but as the two-way leader that Los Angeles desperately needs.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gary Payton Questions Luka Doncic's Willingness To Become A Defensive Player
Gary Payton Questions Luka Doncic's Willingness To Become A Defensive Player originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Hall of Famer and 1996 Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton has weighed in on the lingering question that continues to follow Luka Doncic: Will he ever become a competent defender? Advertisement During a candid conversation at the BUDX NBA House event in Mumbai, Payton, renowned for his elite perimeter defense and relentless tenacity, didn't mince words. He didn't question Doncic's talent, he questioned his will. "Like I said, basketball is different than when I played because I could put my hands on them and I could hand check. We'll talk about Luka. You have to be dedicated to play defense. You have to be dedicated. Maybe that's not for him." "He's a scorer. He can do it. Now, if he gets his mind to it, I tell every kid that I go and do camps with, I say there's a mindset to play defense. Not just say you want to play defense. You can't do that unless you have a mindset to do that." "You have to have great hands and feet to do that. You have to be able to move. You have to be willing to take sacrifices to do things. And that's just the way it goes. I don't think Luka is a defensive player. I think he's a scorer. He's not one of that. But now, if he wants to, yes, he can get his mind to it to do it. But does he want to do it?" Advertisement "That's left up to him. That's not left up to us. He's an athlete. He's got great ability. Now, if he wants to go and change it and prove people wrong that he can't play defense, if that was me, I would change it." "I would say, yeah, I'm going to go out there and I'm going to try to defend somebody. And I'm going to get in shape. I'm going to do the things that I need to do. And I'm going to do that." This statement cuts to the heart of one of the biggest critiques of Luka Doncic. Offensively, there's no doubt he's a generational savant, a wizard with the ball, capable of scoring and facilitating at historic levels. But defensively, he's often compared to a traffic cone. In the 2025 Western Conference first-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic was repeatedly exposed in one-on-one matchups. Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley blew past him with ease, and clips of Luka conceding straight-line drives went viral. Advertisement Paul Pierce openly criticized Doncic on national television after the series, declaring that he has to learn how to play defense. Kendrick Perkins was even more direct, calling Doncic 'the worst defensive star in modern basketball.' And those criticisms had real-world consequences, they played a role in the Dallas Mavericks' shocking trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Mavs GM Nico Harrison defended the move by saying, 'Defense wins championships,' subtly implying that Doncic's limitations on that end were incompatible with their championship goals. Harrison believed Davis, despite being older and more injury-prone, gave Dallas the elite defensive anchor they lacked with Luka. The Boston Celtics also schemed Doncic into oblivion during the 2024 NBA Finals, targeting him relentlessly in pick-and-roll actions. The results were brutal: open looks, exposed rotations, and layups, all courtesy of Luka's sluggish foot speed and delayed reactions. Advertisement However, there are signs that Doncic is finally taking the criticism seriously. This offseason, photos surfaced of a slimmed-down Luka, reportedly after undergoing a modified diet and focused indoor training regimen. Now with the Lakers, he seems more determined than ever to shed the perception that he's a one-way player. Sources close to the team say his conditioning has vastly improved, and his attention to detail during film sessions has been sharper than in years past. Whether that transformation translates to better defensive results on the court remains to be seen. But as Gary Payton emphasized, defense isn't about talent, it's about choice. Doncic has all the tools to become a passable, even respectable defender. But only time will tell if the new-look Lakers star finally develops the mindset required to back it up. Advertisement Related: Luka Doncic Predicted To Take $63 Million Hit On Lakers' Contract Following $100 Million+ Loss In Mavericks Trade This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
First-Ever BUDX NBA House In India To Take Place In June
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Budweiser today announced that the first-ever BUDX NBA House in India, an interactive fan event celebrating the convergence of basketball, music and culture, will take place on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 at the DOME, SVP Stadium, in Mumbai. Held in conjunction with the 2025 NBA Finals, the two-day event will feature basketball-themed activities, live musical performances, meet-and-greets with five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton, photo opportunities with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, as well as performances by Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson, the Kings Dancers and the Kings' dunk team. "The first BUDX NBA House will be a must-visit destination for the passionate NBA fans in India to come together and celebrate their love of the game amid the excitement of the NBA Finals," said NBA Asia Head of Strategy and NBA India Country Head Rajah Chaudhry. "We look forward to bringing this signature showcase of the NBA, music and culture to India at a time when there is incredible momentum around basketball in the country." "Budweiser has always been at the forefront of cultural and entertainment experiences, and we are proud to associate with the NBA to bring the first-ever BUDX NBA House to India," said Vice President Marketing and Trade Marketing, AB InBev India, Vineet Sharma. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to creating unforgettable moments for fans that not only celebrate the game of basketball, but also push boundaries in offering immersive experiences in music, sports and culture. We have been pioneers in shaping music culture in India, and this experience will further our mission of bringing alive never-before seen trendsetting experiences for Indian youth." BUDX NBA House will be produced and ticketed by District by Zomato. In addition to Budweiser, BUDX NBA House will be supported by a roster of partners, including Brand USA, Emirates and Visit California. Listen to the latest songs, only on
