Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic's improved effort on the defensive end is starting to earn plaudits from teammates and coaches.
Doncic scored 45 points in Sunday's 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors and also recorded game highs in defensive rebounds (15) and steals (five.)
"Obviously, I'm not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year, I really took a step forward," Doncic told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Obviously, people are going to talk what they want to talk (about) me. ... But I know, and my team knows, that I'm better this year."
Doncic's five steals and three charges drawn resulted in eight turnovers by the Raptors. He's the first player to post those defensive numbers in one game since player tracking began in 2013-14, according to ESPN Research. Sunday's victory marked the Lakers' fifth win in seven outings.
"Five steals and three charges ... incredible," Lakers center Walker Kessler said. "You know, incredible. Luka doesn't get enough credit for his defense."
Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic's efforts to draw charges show that the NBA's leading scorer is stepping into a leadership role in the first season since LeBron James' move to the Philadelphia 76ers.
"I think taking a charge in general is just a form of leadership, right? You're putting your body on the line for the team. ... He's trying to win," Redick said. "You see the competitiveness come out so many times on the offensive end, but he's competitive on the defensive end, too.
"It gets the whole team fired up," Doncic said about drawing charges. "I just wanted to get better at that. And three charges is not bad for one game."
Lakers teammate and former Raptor Sandro Mamukelashvili said Doncic's defensive efforts can be attributed to one thing: the six-time All-Star's pride.
"You can tell he has pride," Mamukelashvili said. "He has a pride, and he has a hunger. He has a will to not be labeled as that guy who you can just attack."
