Laker Legends Doubt Luka Doncic's All-Time Greatness Due to Defense Flaw

As of August 29th, 2025, many believe that Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, now 26 years old, is on track to become one of the NBA's all-time greats. Doncic has already accomplished more in his career than most players ever will, racking up accolades at an incredible pace. However, according to former Lakers forward Robert Horry, Doncic will never crack the sport's "Mount Rushmore" due to a significant flaw in his game: his defense.

Horry, who was part of the Lakers' 2002 championship team, stated that while he loves Doncic's offensive game, the Slovenian star will never be considered among the best of the best because he does not play on both ends of the court. Horry pointed to legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the true all-time greats, all of whom excelled defensively.

Another former Laker, Samaki Walker, has also recently criticized Doncic for mocking the NBA's physicality while not playing defense himself. Walker said that Doncic, despite being a "basketball savant," has disrespected the league by complaining about its lack of toughness when he does not even put in the effort on the defensive end.

Many Lakers fans believe that Doncic's offseason body transformation could lead to improved defense, but as Horry and Walker have stated, the willingness to defend is just as important as the ability. That question will be answered when the 2025-26 NBA season begins in a couple of months.