The NBA Treats Luka and Shai Very Differently—and Fans Are Starting to Notice

The NBA is always full of storylines, but sometimes it’s the way those stories are told that really shapes how fans view players. Right now, two names are at the center of this conversation—Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Both are elite players, both are leaders of their teams, and both have struggled defensively in the NBA Finals. But while Luka has become the target of intense criticism, Shai continues to receive praise and protection, even when the numbers show they’ve had similar flaws.

It’s not about who’s better overall, and it’s not about discrediting either of them. This is about the clear difference in how the media, fans, and even analysts treat two players going through very similar challenges.

Same Problem, Different Stories

Let’s start with the facts. In the Finals, Luka has been getting beat on defense. Opponents have targeted him on switches, driving past him at a high rate. The number most people mention is that he’s been blown by 67% of the time. That’s high, and people noticed. But they didn’t just notice—they piled on. Luka has been called everything from “a cone on defense” to “the reason Dallas can’t win a ring.” On social media, it’s been brutal. Clips of him getting burned one-on-one are everywhere. Memes, hot takes, criticism from former players—you name it.

Now look at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Quietly, his defensive numbers haven’t been great either. In fact, some stats show he’s been getting beat even more often than Luka. But there’s no storm of criticism. Instead, Shai is being praised as one of the best two-way guards in the league. People are talking about his leadership, his control of the pace, and his impact on both ends. Some have even called him the best two-way guard since Kobe Bryant.

So why the double standard?

Part of it has to do with image. Luka is loud on the court. He argues with refs, shows frustration, and plays with emotion that sometimes spills over. That makes him an easy target when things go wrong. Shai, on the other hand, plays with calmness and quiet confidence. He doesn’t argue much. He moves smoothly. And because of that, the media and fans tend to give him the benefit of the doubt.

There’s also team context. Luka is playing for a Mavericks team that’s expected to win now. He’s been in the playoffs year after year, and with that comes pressure. Shai’s Thunder are still seen as young and on the rise. So when Shai has a bad defensive game, people say “he’ll learn.” When Luka does, they say “he’s the problem.”

Even the way analysts talk about them is different. Luka is often described as “a liability” on defense, while Shai is called “crafty” or “calculated.” The words used shape how fans feel. Luka might be struggling on D, but so is Shai. Yet only one of them is being mocked for it.

The Power of Narratives

This isn’t just about Luka and Shai. This is about how media narratives shape player reputations in general. We’ve seen it before with other stars. Some players get labeled as “winners” and are forgiven for their mistakes. Others get labeled as “difficult” or “flawed” and have to work twice as hard to earn respect.

Once a narrative is built, it’s hard to shake. And sometimes it has nothing to do with what’s actually happening on the court.

In Luka’s case, he’s become the punching bag whenever Dallas loses. It’s not fair, especially when he’s still putting up huge offensive numbers and carrying a big load. In Shai’s case, he’s benefiting from being the new face of a young, exciting team—and he deserves praise, but not blind protection. If we’re calling Luka out for defense, shouldn’t we call it out for Shai too?

Fans have started noticing. Posts on Reddit and Twitter now point out the contrast. One fan wrote, “Why is Luka getting cooked for defense but nobody is talking about Shai getting beat on the perimeter?” Another said, “The media just likes Shai more—it’s obvious.”

This doesn’t mean we need to tear Shai down. It just means we should be fair. If the same stat means criticism for one player, it shouldn’t mean applause for another.

We also have to remember that defense is complex. It’s not just about one player getting beat. It’s about team schemes, matchups, fatigue, and how offenses are attacking. Luka plays with more usage on offense, which can wear him down. Shai plays in a different system with more help defenders. The context matters.

Still, when the media ignores one player’s flaws and magnifies another’s, it creates an unfair picture—and fans eventually catch on.

This Finals has taught us a lot, but one of the biggest lessons might not be about basketball skills. It’s about perception. Luka and Shai are both elite. They’re both leading their teams. They’re both trying to win at the highest level. But one is being roasted online while the other is being protected—and that says more about us than it does about them.

In sports, it’s easy to go along with the crowd, to repeat what the loudest voices are saying. But sometimes, it’s worth stepping back and asking: are we being fair? Are we watching the game, or just following the story someone else wrote?

Because in this case, the story might not match the stats—and the criticism might not match the truth.