Luka Doncic says his defense is improving, whether critics notice or not

Luka Doncic knows what people say about his defense. He also believes the Lakers are seeing something different this season.

After collecting five steals, drawing three charges and grabbing 15 defensive rebounds in Sunday’s 131-125 win over the Raptors, Doncic made his case. The 45 points were impressive, too, but those rarely require much explanation.

“Obviously, I’m not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year I really took a step forward,” Doncic said, via Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. “Obviously, people are going to talk what they want to talk [about] me. … But I know, and my team knows, that I think I’m better this year. And that helps the whole team, I think.”

Coach JJ Redick and center Walker Kessler both praised his defensive performance, Turner reported. Doncic seemed happy to hear the conversation head in that direction. “Finally,” he said, laughing.

The Lakers don’t need Doncic to become their best defender. They do need him involved, making the right rotations, finishing possessions with rebounds and using his size to make life harder for opponents. Taking three charges certainly qualifies as getting involved.

Sunday offered evidence of that effort, even if the Lakers still had trouble putting Toronto away. They allowed 43 fourth-quarter points and needed their starters to return after building a substantial lead.

So there’s work left for the group. But Doncic doing more on that end would give Redick a better chance of getting the defense where it needs to be, especially on nights when eight of Luka’s threes don’t fall.

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