Calls Mount Against TNT’s Candace Parker As Lakers Nation Cringe Over Her Luka Doncic Obsession
NBA
Calls Mount Against TNT’s Candace Parker As Lakers Nation Cringe Over Her Luka Doncic Obsession
Think Tank
Modified Mar 7, 2025 | 1:14 PM IT
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Fortunes have certainly changed for Luka Doncic within just a few weeks. While he may not have wanted the trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, even the Slovenian cannot deny that the move has been good for him. He is now part of an NBA franchise that has marked its place in the history books for a while.
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Luka has been a key factor in reviving the Lakers’ playoff hopes. Teaming up with LeBron James and company, he’s helped the squad win 8 of their last 10 games, putting them right back in the mix. And with that success has come a wave of attention that wasn’t quite there before.
But no, we’re not talking about Kim Kardashian. This time, WNBA legend Candace Parker has taken notice. However, not everyone might be thrilled about this newfound spotlight.
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Candace Parker is currently serving as one of the co-hosts of TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’. However, for the ongoing game between the Lakers and the New York Knicks, she was called in to commentate during a major portion of the first half.
Is Candace Parker’s nickname ‘Luka the Don’ for Luka Doncic a hit or a miss?
It’s a hit, catchy and fitting
It’s a miss, makes me cringe
It’s okay, but needs a better backstory
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Bruce Brown for the foul
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After all, the 3x WNBA Champion shares a rich history with LA, having played for the Los Angeles Sparks for 13 years and winning a championship with the team back in 2016. Unfortunately, judging from social media, not everyone was a fan of the duration and manner in which she called out the games. On top of that, Parker’s major focus was on Luka Doncic. It didn’t help that the WNBA star came up with a nickname for the Slovenian: ‘Luka the Don’. It certainly DID NOT help when she kept repeating ‘Luka the Don’ again and again.
In light of moments like these, one can predict that the NBA community would not waste time in reacting online. Sure enough, they did not.
One social media user highlighted what many might have been thinking by writing, “Hearing Candace Parker say “Luka The Don” makes me cringe every time I hear it. (emojis) #NbaonTNT”. Yikes!
To be fair, ‘Luka The Don’ has the potential to become a catchy nickname, like Kevin Durant’s ‘Slim Reaper’. However, there should be a justification behind the nickname. A proper reasoning. What makes Luka Doncic a ‘Don’? After all, simply being Slovenian does not mean you’re an Italian mobster like Vito Corleone or Tony Soprano (Ik they are fictional, but still).
Does ‘Luka the Don’ fit Doncic, or is it just another cringeworthy nickname attempt?
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One individual wrote “Does Candace Parker ever shut the f**k up?? “Luka the Don” ok we got it, that s**t is not sticking. Nobody is calling him that… now get on with it”. The combination of ‘Luka The Don’ and Parker’s long commentary may have ensured that the 38-year-old does not have a future in calling out games.
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One social media user said, “jesus christ Candace Parker is not good at this play by play stuff”. Well, if history is any indication, then you can be a good basketball player but not necessarily a good game commentator. Sure, the trio of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith have found success in television broadcasting. However, they worked on their on-screen skills for years, and won over the NBA community with their charisma, poking fun at each other, and utilizing the occasional pranks. Perhaps, if Candace Parker is serious about a career in television broadcasting, she will also improve with time. Then, ‘Luka the Don’ will become a forgotten moment.
Well, maybe it will take a little more time for people to forget the commentary in the recent game. After all, one individual wrote, “Candace Parker has called Luka “The Don” maybe 25 times during the 1st quarter”. While no one is accusing Candace Parker of being a fan-girl, she is certainly giving off vibes that indicate the same. Or maybe she has realized how important Luka Doncic is to the Lakers and is emphasizing on that fact. After all, with Luka averaging 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists with the LA franchise, the pressure on LeBron James and the other scorers has been reduced.
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One social media user wrote, “Gotta be a counter on how many times Candace Parker has said “Luka The Don”. Over 20 for sureee”. Candace Parker would have surely come across these comments. If she has, then she might ensure never to mention the Slovenian in her commentary again. After all, if nothing else got stuck in people’s minds during the game, then ‘Luka the Don’ surely did.
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Overall, the majority of reactions took a negative stance against Candace Parker’s commentary. Whether she addresses the criticism in the coming days is something that remains to be seen.
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“Does ‘Luka The Don’ Fit Doncic, Or Is It Just Another Cringeworthy Nickname Attempt?”
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Written By
Ashmit Kumar
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NBA community attacks Candace Parker over ‘Luka the Don’: “makes me cringe”
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