Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers
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Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers
As Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers went on a major hot streak last week, the MVP discussion shifted gears in favor of the Lakers’ starting point guard. He wasn’t becoming the favorite over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but it was becoming a thought in the NBA world.
Not everybody had the same idea, though. The NBA legend Kevin Garnett is taking a different stance than most this week.
While Garnett is admittedly a Luka Doncic fan, he doesn’t believe the star guard should be viewed as an MVP favorite or even a First Team All-NBA candidate.
“Jaylen Brown and Cade Cunningham are having better years all around basketball than bro,” Garnett recently said on ‘KG Certified.’
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 16: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
“I’m not a Luka hater, I’m a fan. Hey, listen. He killing, Lord. Listen, we got real candidates over here, and he got two other killers on his team. You understand? These men have been doing it with just one. Showing up on consistent every night, on both sides of the ball. Bro, only play one side of the ball, bro. I love Luka, bro. But yeah, I look at the game from the whole 360.”
The Common Criticism That Hurts Luka Doncic
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
There’s no denying that Luka Doncic is one of the top scorers in the game. He has the past numbers to show for, and is currently leading the NBA in points per game.
But when it comes to the defensive side of the game, the Lakers’ star guard has been under a negative spotlight more than ever this season. That says a lot, considering that’s been a common criticism for his game since his days with the Dallas Mavericks.
Still, offense alone will get Luka to where he needs to go from a personal standpoint.
In 60 games this season, Doncic is producing a league-high 33 points per game. He is shooting 47.4% from the field and knocking down 36.4% of his shots from three.
Beyond his scoring, Doncic is coming down with 7.9 rebounds per game and producing 8.4 assists per game. He is a triple-double threat every time he steps on the court.
KG Makes A Decision On Luka’s Biggest All-NBA Competition
GettyBOSTON, MA – MARCH 18: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at TD Garden on March 18, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics were believed to be heading towards a gap year. Jaylen Brown made sure that wasn’t the case.
For most of the season, Brown played without his co-star, Jayson Tatum. When the veteran forward returned from a torn Achilles in early March, the Celtics were the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Brown is posting averages of 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, on the Eastern Conference’s second-best team, according to the standings.
As for Cade Cunningham, he continues to lead one of the most impressive turnarounds in basketball. Two years ago, Detroit had 14 wins. Last season, they were the East’s sixth seed. This year, they are on pace to finish in first place.
Cunningham posted averages of 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game in 61 matchups. His regular season is in danger of ending there, which might make him ineligible anyway. But if he gets his four more games, Garnett is convinced he should have an All-NBA spot over Luka.