Skip Bayless has been one of LeBron James’ biggest critics throughout the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s illustrious career. Bayless’ fault-finding has, of course, carried over to the Lakers in general. A testament to this fact is how the controversial broadcaster has now set his sights on Luka Doncic following a heated incident against the Orlando Magic.
Doncic got called for a technical foul after exchanging words with Magic center Goga Bitadze. It was the Lakers guard’s 16th tech of the season, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
The Lakers appealed the call, prompting the NBA to rescind the technical foul. Bayless did not hold back as he expressed his reaction to the turn of events.
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Doncic was supposed to be suspended for Monday’s marquee matchup against the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers travel to Detroit for a road game against the 51-19 Pistons, the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference.
According to Bayless, the NBA had an ulterior motive in rescinding Doncic’s technical foul.
“Luka's tech rescinded? Ridiculous,” Bayless wrote on X. “He obviously started it with Goga, Goga responded in kind, then Luka escalated it all the way back up the floor. But the NBA obviously doesn't want to lose its biggest ratings draw and gate attraction ... who gets away with arguing every call.”
Bayless is now accusing the NBA of showing favoritism toward Doncic, who he believes is the league’s “biggest ratings draw.” The 74-year-old also included NBA referees in his latest tirade, accusing them of giving Doncic special treatment whenever he complains during games.
Either way, the Lakers will have Doncic for Monday’s big game. He will suit up against the Pistons and look to lead L.A. to a 10th straight win.
Despite the NBA’s decision to rescind his technical foul against Orlando, Doncic is still one tech away from an automatic one-game suspension. The Lakers have 11 games left in the regular season. The count resets in the NBA playoffs.
