Luka Doncic has started the 2026-27 season with an incredible run, putting together one of the best stretches of his career through the LA Lakers’ first seven games. Even with the numbers piling up, Bill Simmons found one part of Doncic’s game hard to enjoy, a take that quickly drew plenty of online criticism.
Simmons said Doncic’s constant complaints to officials and frequent exchanges with opponents have made him frustrating to watch, even while acknowledging just how gifted he is offensively.
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“I think he’s one of the best offensive players I’ve ever seen in my life,” Simmons said. “And it’s not a new take to say that his behavior during games has been a little insufferable. I think this is the most insufferable he’s ever been. I can’t believe how he behaves for two and a half hours at these games. And I don’t know one person who enjoys it. He’s just unhappy constantly with everybody.”
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The comments quickly became a talking point among fans, many of whom felt Simmons was focusing too much on Doncic’s behavior and not enough on the level he has been playing at.
“We didn’t ask for tears,” @sgmwrld said.
Luka Doncic is averaging 38.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game while leading the Purple & Gold to a 5-2 start. He has also continued to make history along the way, making Simmons’ criticism stand out even more, given the level of basketball he has been playing.
Luka Doncic leaves new teammate in awe
Ziaire Williams knows exactly what it is like to try and slow Luka Doncic down. During his time with the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets, he had to deal with the Slovenian star from the other side. Now that he is in Los Angeles, Williams gets to enjoy that same dominance up close instead of trying to contain it.
“It’s crazy. It’s unbelievable,” Williams said. “The defensive mindset in me is always like why are they not blitzing him, or why are they not doubling him? Like, why are they just letting him just walk to his spot and just do whatever he wants out there? But they’re trying. He’s just that good and he just makes it look that easy. He’s unbelievable man, even a better person. And yeah, I’m happy to be on his side.”
Williams has also started benefiting from playing next to a creator like Luka Doncic. It is still a small sample, but he is averaging 10.8 points per game, which would put him on pace to top his previous career high of 10.2 points per game from the 2025-26 season.
Edited by Advait Jajodia
