Luka Doncic has been under a major spotlight since he entered the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks. That spotlight has only grown brighter as he developed into an MVP-caliber player, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 2025-2026 NBA season serves as Luka's first full run in the purple and gold. The team that was once centered around LeBron James is transitioning into becoming Luka's team.
Luka's Lakers have been solid in the tough Western Conference this season, but they have a lot of issues to work on. Some of their biggest concerns stem from Luka's most notable struggles.
A Lakers Legend Calls Out Luka
"One of the things that upsets me about Luka is his game is predicated on getting fouls called," said the seven-time NBA champion, Robert Horry.
"The refs dont give him a call, he starts hunting even more to try to prove the refs wrong. You’re too good of a basketball player to hunt for fouls. Just take the shot."
Players like Horry, who entered the league in the early 1990s, often criticize players of today's game for leaning into drawing fouls as a skill. Some of the most prolific scorers have figured out how to draw fouls just as well as they can score.
Doncic has proven to be one of the best shooters in the game, hitting some of the most shocking shots from all levels, but he has fallen under the category of being a foul hunter plenty of times, dating back to his Mavs days.
The Lakers Continue a Trend
The Lakers have left games frustrated about officiating more often than not this year. Back in late December, JJ Redick publicly stated that he made attempts to get answers on specific complaints, which fell flat.
Redick's concerns have trickled down to the roster, resulting in players like LeBron and Luka publicly speaking out at times as well. Following Friday night's 105-101 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Lakers were back at it. LeBron went as far as posting an Instagram story to shed light on a play where he believed he was fouled, but it wasn't called.
As the Lakers remain frustrated, one of their legends feels the same, but for different reasons. Horry simply wants to see Doncic play through his game and stop worrying about what does and doesn't get whistled for a foul.
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