Lakers Fans Growing Tired of Luka Dončić's 'Heliocentric' Play Style, Insider Says

NBA insider Jovan Buha claims Lakers fans have turned more negative toward Dončić's ball-dominant tactics in recent weeks.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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According to NBA insider Jovan Buha, Lakers fans have been growing increasingly frustrated with Luka Dončić's ball-dominant, isolation-heavy playing style. Buha said he's "seen the shift over the past few weeks where it's been a lot more negativity from Lakers fans toward Luka and a lot more just not liking the aesthetics of his game or the shot selection or just the heliocentric nature." The backlash reportedly began after Dončić's disappointing 2024 NBA Finals performance with the Dallas Mavericks and has only intensified since he joined the Lakers.

Why it matters

Dončić's playing style has long been a point of contention, with some analysts and former players questioning whether his high usage and isolation-heavy tactics can translate to championship success. The growing discontent from Lakers fans suggests the team may need to make adjustments around their superstar guard in order to appease the fanbase and maximize their title chances.

The details

Despite being the NBA's leading scorer (32.4 points per game) on a sixth-seeded Lakers team (37-24) with a top-10 offensive rating (116.3), Dončić has faced increasing criticism over his ball-dominance. Analysts have raised concerns about his league-high usage rate (37.4%) and whether it can lead to championship-level success. Some have also claimed that Dončić's isolation and free-throw-heavy tactics likely aren't enjoyed by his teammates, including co-star LeBron James.

  • Dončić's backlash from Lakers fans began after his 2024 NBA Finals letdown as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
  • The negativity toward Dončić has only been amplified since he joined the Lakers, a premier NBA market.

The players

Luka Dončić

A six-time NBA All-Star and the league's leading scorer (32.4 points per game) who was recently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron James

The Lakers' co-star and one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Jovan Buha

An NBA insider who has reported on the growing frustration among Lakers fans toward Dončić's playing style.

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What they’re saying

“I've seen the shift over the past few weeks where it's been a lot more negativity from Lakers fans toward Luka and a lot more just not liking the aesthetics of his game or the shot selection or just the heliocentric nature.”

— Jovan Buha, NBA Insider (The Ryen Russillo Show)

“From the national perspective, I think this had been brewing since the 2024 Finals, right? You had the [Brian] Windhorst moment, and then you also had post-Dallas trade, just a lot of the narrative coming out from the Dallas side.”

— Jovan Buha, NBA Insider (The Ryen Russillo Show)

What’s next

Assuming Dončić and the Lakers' playoff endeavors follow a similar trajectory as last year, an offseason overhaul around the Slovenian superstar will likely be in order, with defensive reinforcements on the way.

The takeaway

Luka Dončić's ball-dominant, isolation-heavy playing style has drawn increasing criticism from Lakers fans, who are growing tired of the 'heliocentric nature' of the team's offense. This backlash suggests the Lakers may need to make adjustments around their superstar guard in order to appease the fanbase and maximize their title chances.