The Dallas Mavericks are now 0-2 in their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Phoenix Suns. They fell to the Suns 129-109 Wednesday night in their second road game of the series.

Luka Doncic led the Mavs in points and assists in the loss, recording 35 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. Despite his remarkable statistics and leadership throughout the regular season and playoffs, Skip Bayless isn't sold on the young point guard.

He told Shannon Sharpe on ‘Undisputed' Thursday morning that he and Charles Barkley are “dramatically overrating” Doncic.

 

“How dare you call him ‘baby [Larry] Bird'…They shouldn't even be in the same breath. It's almost like putting LeBron in the same sentence with Michael Jordan. It's blasphemy.”

“He is not a superstar by any stretch of the imagination,” Bayless said. Instead, he called Doncic a “triple threat of a liability” because he is a “sorry shooter” from three and the free-throw line, a “turnover machine,” and a “disaster of a defender.”

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) warms up before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks’ Dwight Powell makes final decision on 2025-26 contract optionJoey Mistretta ·
Nov 27, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sources: Why Knicks remain in pursuit of Jason Kidd amid Mavericks contract talksKris Pursiainen ·
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) dribbles the ball against the Houston Cougars during the second half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Cooper Flagg’s ‘biggest thing’ about Mavericks’ likely No. 1 pickJoey Mistretta ·
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after making a last second shot to end the first half against the Arizona Wildcats during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
Mavericks rumors: The 1 word describing Cooper Flagg’s private workoutJaren Kawada ·
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Mavericks rumors: Jason Kidd’s role in Cooper Flagg visit shuts down Knicks speculationMalik Brown ·
NBA rumors: Bobby Marks circles Mavericks, Clippers for Jrue Holiday trade
NBA rumors: Bobby Marks circles Mavericks, Clippers for Jrue Holiday tradeChris Spiering ·

With such a hot take, Bayless was sure to bring statistics to help his argument.

“He led the NBA this year in turnovers per game,” he said. Not to mention, although Bayless made sure he did, Doncic had seven turnovers in the Mavs' Game 2 loss.

As for his offensive productivity from deep, Bayless said that Doncic is shooting “5.3%…that ranked 103rd of 145 three-point shooters in the NBA this year…and you call this man a superstar?”

Doncic also struggles at the free-throw line, only making 74.4% of his shots this year. According to Skip, that puts him 91st out of 112 free-throw shooters in the league.

With all of these numbers, Bayless has a pretty decent argument. However, it's hard to say that Doncic isn't a high-quality player when you see him average 33.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 9.8 rebounds in the playoffs against two of the best teams in the West.