Frustrations over Luka Dončić’s defensive shortcomings, ball dominance, and officiating complaints are mounting as the Los Angeles Lakers’ midseason slide continues.
Following Thursday’s 113-110 road loss to the shorthanded Phoenix Suns, NFL legend and longtime LeBron James fan Shannon Sharpe vented about Dončić and Co.’s recurring issues, calling for James to be better utilized.
Shannon Sharpe Fed Up With Luka Dončić’s ‘Ball-Dominant’ Play Style
Seeking to snap a two-game losing streak, LA had a prime opportunity to get back on track against a Phoenix squad missing franchise cornerstone Devin Booker (hip). Instead, the Lakers fell behind by as many as 12 points before rallying to make the contest competitive behind Dončić’s game-high 41-point performance.
Unfortunately for LA, Dončić was also relentlessly targeted on the defensive end down the stretch, including on the deciding play. The Suns capitalized on a pick-and-roll action to get the six-time All-Star on an island at the top of the arc, allowing sharpshooter Grayson Allen to blow past him.
That set the stage for a complete defensive breakdown, freeing up Phoenix forward Royce O’Neale for what proved to be the game-winning 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds remaining.
ROYCE O’NEALE GAME WINNER 🎯🔥pic.twitter.com/KtD3PBWd8a
— NBA Poland (@NBAPolska23) February 27, 2026
While Dončić did all he could offensively to will his team to victory, Sharpe noted on Thursday’s postgame edition of “Nightcap” that the superstar guard’s lackluster defense thwarted his impact.
The three-time Super Bowl champion then took exception to James getting relegated to bystander status in LA’s offense.
“I don’t like the way they’re using LeBron. LeBron stands in the corner, or he gets the ball at the horn. … it’s just bad basketball,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe noted that the Lakers have been forced to acquiesce to Dončić’s iso-heavy style because the 26-year-old can’t operate any other way.
“At least LeBron is somewhat a viable option without the ball in his hand. Luka cannot play without the ball. He’s ball-dominant,” Sharpe asserted.
“He leads the league in usage rate … and when he doesn’t have the ball, [Austin Reaves] normally has the ball. That’s why I’m saying, you basically get nothing out of LeBron because he stands in the corner or he gets the ball at the horn.”
Sharpe later likened Dončić to prime James Harden, noting that James has never played alongside such a usage-heavy star in his legendary 23-year career.
“He is an absolutely phenomenal player, but it’s kind of hard to win with that style,” Sharpe pointed out. “That’s the James Harden style.
“… Like I said, LeBron is not a guy to stand in the corner. The guy has had the ball for 90% of his time in the league. Now he don’t bring the ball up anymore.”
As for the ramifications of LA’s predictable Dončić-centric offense and 24th-ranked defensive rating (116.8), Sharpe predicted the star-studded squad to be “one-and-done” come playoff time, regardless of its opponent.
“They don’t match up well with anybody,” Sharpe concluded.
The Lakers (34-24) will look to put an end to their three-game losing streak during Saturday’s road clash against the undermanned Golden State Warriors (31-28).
