Kendrick Perkins firmly rested his case that he’s never seen an offensive player like Luka Dončić in his entire life and ranked him in his top 10 list alongside James Harden. Dončić is leading the league in scoring this season, and his unprecedented success has earned him one of the top spots on the MVP ladder.
Why Kendrick Perkins Ranks Luka Dončić Among His Top 10 Offensive Players
Dončić has proven himself to be an offensive powerhouse, capable of giving top NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama a tough time. Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers, the Slovenian is on a trajectory that could place him among the all-time greats. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and size places him in the same conversation as LeBron James and James Harden.
Leading in scoring this season with an average of 33.7 points per game and 8.2 assists, the 27-year-old continues to dominate, helping the Lakers to nine straight wins, which ended against the Detroit Pistons. The 27-year-old also became the first player since 1986 to average 40+ points over a six-game road span.
Amid the historical feats he has been delivering, 2008 NBA champion Perkins listed the top 10 players he wants on his list, and the Slovenian has a confirmed berth.
“Luka and James Harden to me already in the top 10 like greatest offensive players I’ve ever seen in my f******* life. Ever. Luka is already in that conversation,” he said on the “Road Trippin'” show.
Dončić has emerged as the one who initiates most offensive possessions and creates shots for himself and his teammates. James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, embraced the role of the third scoring option behind Dončić and Austin Reaves.
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Dončić last season, and his recent 60-point performance against the Miami Heat is his highest since then. However, the Slovenian star had been treading a fine line, committing foul after foul but escaping punishment each time until the last game against the Brooklyn Nets resulted in a one-game suspension. He got into an altercation with forward Ziaire Williams when they jostled each other with 5:12 remaining in the third frame.
READ MORE: Luka Dončić Matches Michael Jordan’s Impressive Milestone After 500+ Points, 100+ Assists In a Month
It was Dončić’s 16th technical foul, which automatically resulted in a one-game suspension without pay. He will not be in action against the Washington Wizards. As the Lakers aim for a deep playoff run after a first-round exit last year, they have been warned about their mediocre rim protection.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN, who extensively covers the Lakers, suggested that DeAndre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes should be given the responsibility for rim protection, as the team ranks 29th in the league.
