“It’s an emotional game” - Jalen Brunson says the criticism Luka Doncic is getting is ‘unfair’

luka-doncic-and-jalen-brunson

Over the course of a week, the narrative surrounding Luka Doncic has undergone a remarkable shift. From being hailed as arguably the most skilled guard in NBA history, the Slovenian now finds himself at the receiving end of constant criticism for his inability to establish his presence on the defensive end, control his emotions, and support his teammates in clutch time.

In the wake of such scrutiny directed at Luka, Jalen Brunson came forward to defend his former teammate, emphasizing that the relentless bashing he has been receiving is indeed ‘unfair.’

"I would say yes, I think it's unfair. I don't want to use the injury (excuse) for him, but he's banged up. There's certain times, where calls are made in the same situations, that calls are not made. Fouls can be subjective," Brunson said in his interview with Taylor Rooks. "It's a tough situation to be in. It's an emotional game."

Brunson defends Doncic’s stance

While the Knicks guard might be right that emotions run high during intense moments, for Doncic, who well and truly understands his value to the team and the necessity for being present if they are to win games in clutch time, such behavior, where he prioritizes sarcastically clapping back the officials rather than charging his way back to the defensive end, shouting at the coaching staff, demoralizes his teammates.

Moreover, the best of the best showcase that their level is different by managing their emotions effectively, especially when the stakes are high. When the Mavericks embarked on a 20-2 run to reduce a 21-point deficit to just 3 points in the fourth quarter, had Doncic been present, the team would have undoubtedly had a better chance to defend their home court.

However, despite this, Brunson offered a sympathetic perspective to his former teammate, stating that it is challenging to maintain emotional composure when one has worked diligently to reach the championship round and foul calls repeatedly fail to align in one’s favor.

"Everyone is expecting, 'Hey, you're a grown man, you need to act like one.' This is an emotional thing, this is what everyone in this league has worked for," Brunson added. "An opportunity like that and sometimes, emotions get the best of you."

Doncic needs to handle his emotions better

When it comes to the NBA Finals, one simply can’t let their last game get to them. The Mavs, especially Luka and Kyrie, can’t afford to lose hope now.

Down 3-0, the odds are almost impossible to overcome, but Dallas needs to take it one game at a time. More importantly, the Slovenian needs to play as the star fans know, showcasing his 29.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game average and providing everyone a reason to appreciate his game instead of focusing on the negatives.