Since he was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, the word “conditioning” has often been a negative descriptor for Luka Dončić, now with the Los Angeles Lakers. The issue was so persistent in Dallas that it became a significant reason for his trade this past February.
Whether it was concerns about his playing weight or off-season habits that included drinking beer and smoking hookah, Dončić has faced his share of criticism for not taking care of his body. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took it a step further on “First Take” on June 13, saying Doncic’s lack of conditioning shows a “lack of leadership.”
Stephen A. Smith Thinks Luka Dončić Has a ‘Leadership Problem’
The connection Smith draws between poor conditioning and poor leadership comes down to results. He argues that inadequate fitness leads to fatigue, which prevents players from maximizing their talent.
.@stephenasmith believes Luka has a “leadership problem” 😯
“If the issue involving you is that you’re not in shape, if conditioning is a question mark, that’s lacking leadership.” pic.twitter.com/qqJKVVbATz
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 13, 2025
The takeaway here is that sacrifices have to be made to win a title, and one of them is full commitment to the craft. Smith cited the late Kobe Bryant, often seen as the gold standard for work ethic, to back his point. He recalled how Bryant often pushed Shaquille O’Neal to improve his conditioning to help the team win.
Without that kind of commitment, Smith argues, a championship won’t happen. The critique reflects the high expectations that come with Dončić’s status as one of the NBA’s elite players. He’s expected to set the tone.
Luka Dončić’s Championship Expectations
The Lakers made the trade for Dončić hoping to raise their ceiling as title contenders. In the half-season since the deal, they fell short, getting eliminated in the First Round. Still, the move was about both the present and the future. Dončić is expected to be the centerpiece of both timelines.
The flip side of the Dončić weight debate is that he’s already been very successful as the focal point of a franchise. In Dallas, he led the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and to the NBA Finals in 2024. There’s a case to be made that whatever he’s doing works, and it hasn’t stopped him from chasing a championship.
Similar critiques have followed Nikola Jokic over the years, but Jokic has three MVPs and a championship to answer those doubts.
Until Dončić wins at the highest level, these kinds of conversations will follow him. The pressure will only grow as he enters his age-26 season, a time when many stars make their leap. LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Jokic all reached title-winning form in this age range.
Dončić’s weight and offseason habits will stay under the spotlight until he finally lifts the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Until that moment comes, his conditioning will remain an easy target for analysts like Stephen A. Smith.
