TNT’s Kenny Smith recently placed Luka Doncic low in the NBA player rankings, which shows that perfection isn’t real. Smith, 59, is a sports commentator on TNT’s “Inside The NBA” and a former point guard who played in the NBA for 10 years. The 59-year-old was selected with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings after playing four years of college basketball at North Carolina from 1983 to 1987.
Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal recently voted on the top 50 players in the NBA, and Bleacher Report released the trio’s recent votes to the general public. Read on for Smith’s recent placement of Doncic in the player rankings.
Kenny Smith’s Luka Doncic Placement
Kenny Smith is one of three sports commentators on TNT’s “Inside The NBA” crew. However, Smith had a different opinion than his two co-workers, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, who ranked Luka Doncic higher in their respective NBA player rankings.
Smith ranked Doncic, who settled for third place in the 2024 MVP race, sixth behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Joel Embiid. Smith’s ranking of Doncic wasn’t super low, but low enough to spark backlash from the general public.
Two Commentators’ Luka Doncic Placements
Kenny Smith isn’t the lone sports commentator on TNT’s “Inside The NBA.” The two other sports commentators Barkley and O’Neal also ranked Luka Doncic in the NBA player rankings. Barkley, 61, ranked Doncic, the current NBA MVP favorite, second, while O’Neal, 52, placed Doncic third.
As mentioned earlier, Smith ranked Doncic sixth and placed LeBron James second, which is quite surprising. James, 39, will enter his 22nd season in the NBA, and at that age, James’ difficulties in becoming the second-best player in the league will likely show in the 2024-25 campaign. In addition, Joel Embiid reportedly said that he wouldn’t play both games in a back-to-back situation, so he might not be there at the end of the campaign.
Latest Luka Doncic News
Luka Doncic has made plenty of headlines in basketball. Doncic suffered a left calf contusion during a workout and missed the entire preseason, but Doncic’s injury was always considered minor. The 25-year-old was reportedly cleared to play in the Dallas Mavericks’ season opener against the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center on Thursday.
Doncic will enter his seventh season in the NBA as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA MVP, per most betting sites and some sports commentators. Doncic’s momentum from a shocking 2023-24 campaign should successfully set him up for regular season and postseason success in 2024-25.
Aside from Doncic, Kyrie Irving was the only other Dallas Mavericks player in the NBA player rankings. Irving, 32, was ranked 18th. Charles Barkley ranked Irving 18th, Shaquille O’Neal placed him 17th, and Kenny Smith had him much lower at 30th.
For More Great Content
Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play. Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out — explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.
