Former NBA champion Channing Frye has doubled down on his criticism of Luka Doncic, insisting the Los Angeles Lakers superstar cannot win a championship with his current style of play.
Frye believes Doncic's heavy involvement in the offence puts too much pressure on one player, comparing his approach to that of former Houston Rockets star James Harden.
The comments come as the Lakers look to build on their strong start to the season, with recent defeats raising questions about their ability to compete with the NBA's leading contenders.
Frye has made similar arguments about Doncic in the past, questioning whether a player who dominates possession so heavily can lead a team to an NBA title.
Speaking about his criticism, Frye made it clear that his concerns were not about Doncic's individual ability.
"I love Luka. I just don't think the way he plays basketball is going to win a championship. That's it. That's it. I think Luka is a lot like James Harden. I think both of those guys' games are amazing, but their usage rate is not equating to championships. Who plays like that? Who's played like that and shown you that they can win a championship?"
Frye continued by arguing that Doncic carries too much responsibility for the Lakers' offence.
"It's not sustainable. The usage rate is too much. What's going to happen? Like, Luka's great. He's not winning you a championship like that."
He added that other leading teams have several players capable of consistently contributing offensively, rather than relying so heavily on one superstar.
Frye's comparison with Harden is particularly relevant given the latter's struggles to win an NBA championship despite years of individual success. Doncic has already reached the NBA Finals, leading the Dallas Mavericks there in 2024 before losing to the Boston Celtics.
However, the Lakers still have work to do if they are to establish themselves as genuine title contenders.
Austin Reaves is expected to play an important supporting role, while new centre Walker Kessler has been brought in to help strengthen the defence.
Frye's comments place the focus on whether Los Angeles can build a balanced roster around Doncic. The Lakers may need more consistent contributions across the team if they are to answer his criticism and challenge for the championship.
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