As the Los Angeles Lakers face growing challenges during their midseason decline, Shannon Sharpe expressed sharp criticism of Luka Dončić’s ball-dominant playing style and called on LeBron James to take a more active role in the team’s offense. The comments followed the Lakers’ narrow 113-110 loss to the depleted Phoenix Suns on Thursday, highlighting ongoing concerns about defensive lapses and a one-dimensional offensive approach.
The game presented the Lakers with an opportunity to break a two-game losing skid against a Suns team missing key player Devin Booker due to a hip injury. Dončić delivered a standout offensive effort, scoring a game-high 41 points and pushing the Lakers back into contention after falling behind by 12. However, defensive breakdowns at critical moments ultimately cost the team the victory.
Key Defensive Failures Lead to Suns’ Late Victory
In the closing moments, Dončić found himself isolated on defense during a pivotal pick-and-roll, allowing Grayson Allen to break free and set up Phoenix forward Royce O’Neale for the winning three-pointer with just 0.9 seconds left on the clock. This defensive lapse underscored broader concerns about Dončić’s effort and effectiveness beyond scoring.
“ROYCE O’NEALE GAME WINNER 🎯🔥pic.twitter.com/KtD3PBWd8a”
— NBA Poland
Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl champion and ardent LeBron James supporter, voiced frustration about how James has been sidelined in the Lakers’ offensive scheme, pointing out the lack of involvement for the six-time NBA champion during offensive possessions.
Sharpe Calls for Greater Involvement of LeBron James
On Thursday’s edition of Nightcap, Sharpe criticized the Lakers’ strategy with James often relegated to standing in the corner or receiving the ball only at the end of shot clocks. He argued that such a setup is inefficient and hampers the team’s chances.
“I don’t like the way they’re using LeBron. LeBron stands in the corner, or he gets the ball at the horn. … it’s just bad basketball,”
Sharpe said.
Sharpe highlighted the contrast between James’ playing style and Dončić’s heavy ball usage, noting that unlike LeBron, Dončić struggles when not controlling the ball. This has forced the Lakers into a predictable, isolation-heavy offense that limits overall team effectiveness.
“At least LeBron is somewhat a viable option without the ball in his hand. Luka cannot play without the ball. He’s ball-dominant,”
Sharpe asserted.
“He leads the league in usage rate … and when he doesn’t have the ball, [Austin Reaves] normally has the ball. That’s why I’m saying, you basically get nothing out of LeBron because he stands in the corner or he gets the ball at the horn.”
Comparing Dončić’s Style to James Harden’s Past Role
Sharpe went on to compare Dončić’s dominant usage to former star James Harden’s style, emphasizing that throughout James’ extensive 23-year career, he has never played alongside a teammate who monopolized the offense to this extent. While acknowledging Dončić’s talent, Sharpe questioned the sustainability of this approach for team success.
“He is an absolutely phenomenal player, but it’s kind of hard to win with that style,”
Sharpe remarked.
“That’s the James Harden style.”
“… Like I said, LeBron is not a guy to stand in the corner. The guy has had the ball for 90% of his time in the league. Now he don’t bring the ball up anymore.”
Defensive Woes Compound Offensive Predictability
The Lakers’ defensive rating currently ranks near the bottom of the league at 24th, with opponents scoring 116.8 points per 100 possessions. Sharpe connected the team’s defensive struggles to the limited offensive flexibility caused by Dončić’s ball dominance and the underutilization of LeBron James.
Predicting the postseason outcome, Sharpe suggested that the Lakers’ style and roster composition make deep playoff runs unlikely, regardless of the opponent they face.
“They don’t match up well with anybody,”
Sharpe concluded.
Lakers Eye Break in Losing Streak Against Golden State Warriors
With a 34-24 record, the Lakers are set to face the injury-plagued Golden State Warriors, who hold a 31-28 record, in a road game this Saturday. The matchup presents an opportunity to halt their slide and potentially reshape team dynamics heading toward the playoffs.
ROYCE O'NEALE GAME WINNER 🎯🔥pic.twitter.com/KtD3PBWd8a
— NBA Poland (@NBAPolska23) February 27, 2026
