Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić currently leads the NBA in scoring by an astounding 8.1 points per game, as his 37.7 ppg average dwarfs Tyrese Maxey's 29.6 ppg in second place. On Sunday night, Dončić increased that average with 45 points (along with 15 rebounds and six assists) in a 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors, but after the game, much of the focus was on what Dončić did on the defensive end of the floor. Since he entered the league, no one has confused Dončić with an elite defender, but through six games this season, a leaner Luka has looked more engaged and improved on the defensive end for the Lakers.
Sunday night was his best statistical performance yet, as he produced five steals and drew three charges against the Raptors to give the Lakers eight extra possessions that became critical in a six-point win. That effort offered a proof point for Dončić of what he views as a genuine step forward he's taken on defense in his ninth season in the NBA. "Obviously, I'm not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year, I really took a step forward," Dončić said (via ESPN).
"Obviously, people are going to talk what they want to talk [about] me. ... But I know, and my team knows, that I'm better this year." Those three charges drawn now tie him for the most in the league this season, alongside Aaron Nesmith, Davion Mitchell, Draymond Green, Jalen Brunson and Keyonte George. He's averaging 1.8 steals per game, which is tied for 15th in the league, and while many will be quick to point out that charges and steals aren't necessarily a sign of great defense, they do point to Dončić's effort level being raised on that end of the floor.
For years, Dončić has been viewed as a one-way player. He is one of the elite offensive engines in the NBA, up in the tier with Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the title of best in the world. Defense has never been his calling card, and much of the frustration with Dončić's conditioning is due to a lack of effort on that end of the floor.
This year, Dončić seems to have bought into the importance of showing stronger effort on defense as he takes the reins as the Lakers' leader with the departure of LeBron James. Redick sees Dončić taking charges as him proving he's taking a step forward as a leader as much as anything. "I think taking a charge in general is just a form of leadership, right?
You're putting your body on the line for the team," Redick said. You see the competitiveness come out so many times on the offensive end, but he's competitive on the defensive end, too." Between Dončić and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have the potential to be one of the league's elite offensive units. The question coming into the season was whether they could do enough defensively to hold up with a roster that doesn't feature many high-end defenders outside of Walker Kessler.
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