Luka Doncic has quickly transformed the Los Angeles Lakers into a powerhouse since his blockbuster arrival. He’s undeniably the heartbeat of the team now, elevating their offense and bringing a level of playmaking that has energized the entire roster.
Yet despite the undeniable brilliance of “Luka Magic,” not everyone has warmed up to the Slovenian superstar—especially ESPN’s Chris Russo, who recently called Doncic “impossible to root for.”
“This is as a fan — he is impossible to root for. He’s constantly moaning and groaning at the officials, constantly carping at the officials. He’s constantly looking for foul calls. What is he doing?”
“He makes a big basket with seven minutes to go, and he’s yelling at—whether it’s JT or a fan. Go back and play defense. I mean, come on. I mean, on and on. It happens all the time with this guy. He’s very hard to take. Yeah, you can’t dispute that. You’re telling me that he doesn’t argue with the officials?”
Russo’s gripe? The constant moaning and groaning at officials. In a passionate segment, the veteran analyst laid into Doncic for what he believes is the guard’s most grating habit: arguing with referees instead of getting back on defense.
To be fair, Russo’s criticism doesn’t center around Doncic’s talent—nobody is denying his MVP-level play or the fact that he’s seamlessly transitioned into the Lakers’ system. The issue is more about the optics.
After nearly every possession where he doesn’t get a call, Doncic is seen lingering near the half-court line, animatedly protesting to referees while the opposing team runs the break. It’s not just a bad look—it also occasionally leaves the Lakers shorthanded on defense, a costly habit for a team with championship aspirations.
The tipping point came during the Lakers’ recent clash with the Thunder, where Doncic was ejected after picking up two technicals in a tight fourth quarter. The Lakers collapsed shortly after his departure, leading to further criticism from fans and analysts alike.
For a team relying on his presence and leadership, that kind of emotional outburst proved damaging.
Still, painting Doncic as “impossible to root for” might be an overreaction. Many greats have had their moments of emotional volatility.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan have all shown frustration with officiating at various points in their careers.
Doncic’s approach just happens to be more overt and frequent—but it’s not unfixable.
He’s only 26, playing under enormous pressure in one of the NBA’s most scrutinized markets. His 7.8 free-throw attempts per game are just the fourth-most in his career, so it’s not as if officials are ignoring him entirely.
Still, he has to recognize that his constant lobbying can come off as entitled and distracting—not just for fans, but for his teammates.
If Doncic can channel his passion more productively and keep his composure when calls don’t go his way, there’s no reason he can’t become both dominant and beloved.
He’s already winning games and silencing critics with his play. Now it’s time to win them over with maturity.
