Ever since the Lakers’ playoff exit, whispers around Luka Doncic’s fitness have only gotten louder. The chatter isn’t new—staying in shape has always followed Doncic like a shadow. But this time, things took a dramatic twist. According to insiders, it was one of the key reasons Mavericks GM Nico Harrison decided to part ways with the superstar. That move alone turned heads, but the story behind it? That’s where things get interesting.

It seems Harrison viewed Luka through a very specific lens—a Kobe Bryant one. Meaning, he measured Doncic against a standard built on relentless discipline and laser focus. Apparently, Luka’s off-court habits didn’t align with that Mamba mentality. “He wasn’t durable enough to lead,” Harrison reportedly believed. But not everyone’s buying that take. Former Lakers forward Michael Beasley, for one, isn’t having it.

During the Common Denominator Podcast, Beasley expressed it as unfair. “I hate this narrative on Luka,” he said. “I hate this like out-of-shape narrative that I’m here because it’s like everybody is saying he’s out of shape…” His frustration only deepened as he pointed out the hypocrisy in how fans switch up. “…is the same ones that’s cheering, Hoorah, Hoorah, when he’s going 50 points 60 points.”

Moreover, Beasley brought some real basketball logic into the argument. If Luka was out of shape, how does he consistently drop huge numbers? “It’s like you always got to find something bad to say about it,” he added. “And it’s like why like bro, sometimes the other guy was just better and just bust their ass and just really bust their ass and as simple as that.” And that “other guy” moment? Beasley points to last season for proof.

After all, Luka did make it to the Western Conference Finals last year, averaging 28.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 7.8 APG in regular season. “Luka got all the way to the championship last year Western Conference Finals when he won the game and you took the beer out of his hand. Was it a shape thing then?” he argued.

However, just like Beasley, another ex-NBA star shut down the same narrative, but with the help of Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan saves Luka Doncic from ‘unfit’ narrative

It took a Michael Jordan story to flip the script on Luka Doncic’s so-called “unfit” image. Earlier this month on All the Smoke, MJ’s ex-teammate Craig Hodges recalled a moment that left everyone shaking their heads—and then nodding in understanding.

“We’re leaving, shoot around and we’re on the bus and MJ, like man, drop me off here and drop him off at the bar,” he said. “He said he’s gonna have some beers.” A few hours later, Jordan walks in wearing sweats, still smelling like beer. “‘Man, I’m seeing three rims. I’m gonna shoot at the one in the middle, okay? That’s hard.’” And yet, as Hodges recalled, “Got thirty and [a] half.” 

So naturally, Matt Barnes jumped in too. That whole narrative Dallas has tried to push around Luka’s lifestyle? Barnes didn’t buy it for a second. “That’s the kind of s–t, not that, but it bothers me what Dallas’s management is trying to portray Luka as,” he said. “Like we aren’t grown men that can handle what we need to do… like shut that shit up.” The implication? Athletes have always balanced on-court greatness with off-court realness. Luka’s no different.

Sure, there’s always room for critique—but the bigger question is: does the critique match the outcome? Luka’s stats and playoff runs suggest otherwise. Some folks aren’t saying he shouldn’t evolve, but questioning if more discipline would unlock a whole new level. Still, that’s a far cry from saying he’s not built for the grind.

And even Hodges couldn’t help but agree with Barnes. “You’re investing to know what these cats are doing… now you want to use that as a means of the reason you got rid of him.” In the end, it’s not the beer, or the late nights. It’s the story we choose to tell.