Luka Doncic embarrassed by NBA champion on live TV as Mavericks GM Nico Harrison gets public support

Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison will likely always stand by his philosophy of trading franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic because "defense wins championships."

Everyone understands Doncic is far from an elite defender, but few thought that warranted Harrison's decision to cut ties with him at the trade deadline. After the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, more are at least beginning to see Harrison's perspective.

This includes NBA champion turned analyst Kendrick Perkins, who embarrassed Doncic on live television with blunt and harsh words about his defense.

"Luka Doncic is the worst defensive star that we've seen in the modern era of basketball. Period," Perkins said on ESPN's First Take.

Even Stephen A. Smith found the approach was a bit much, saying, "That's very cruel. You could have found a nicer way to say that. You could have said he tries but struggles, and he just needs to improve his skills. You didn't have to be that cruel, Kendrick Perkins. They accused me of being cruel. I ain't got nothing on Big Perk. I'm actually a very nice guy."

The Timberwolves and coach Chris Finch clearly schemed up an offense that would target Doncic on the defensive end, and it worked time and time again. 

Does Doncic need to improve his defense? Absolutely. Does the 26-year-old need to become a lockdown defender? Not at all. In an ideal world, Doncic works to not be a liability on that end of the floor while the Lakers add pieces like Dorian Finney-Smith to support him.

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