Franchises operating in the shadows, players switching jerseys, and nothing better to have a fan on the edge of their seats. Just ask the Ole Miss Rebels head coach. Closely following the ongoing trades in both the NBA and the WNBA, Yolett McPhee-McCuin, had just the visual representation of her state — a stunned Beyonce at the recent Grammys. But a trade that really shook Coach Yo? Similar to that of every other NBA fan. But it’s not just a jaw-dropping headline. It’s a defensive dilemma. Her take? “Luka can’t guard his own shadow.” And that’s only the tip of the iceberg…
A visibly huge Lakers fan, McPhee-McCuin was asked about the trade in conversation with Michael Katz. Her response was a blend of disappointment and disbelief. “As a defensive coach, I’m in mourning, okay? Because you and I both know Luka can’t guard his own shadow,” she shared.
Ever since the trade hit the news, Coach Yo has been one enthusiastic fan. She hopped on X to learn the Laker Nation’s collective opinion. “I’m with whatever the majority decides!” she had written. But one thing she has consistently been clear about — Luca Doncic’s defense. For someone with Anthony Davis, the cornerstone of their 21st-ranked defense, it was a bit of a sting. But McPhee-McCuin isn’t ruling out some optimism. Well, he did have a defensive rating of 102.5, ranking first in the final month of the 2023-24 season.
“But I’m going to try to remain optimistic,” she added. However, it didn’t come easily. “I mourned the whole night as I saw the news,” McPhee-McCuin confessed.
Following Ole Miss’ win over Vandy, I had to ask noted Lakers fan @YolettMcCuin about the Luka-AD trade. Her response didn’t disappoint (video courtesy of @OleMissSports) pic.twitter.com/F1wCcRwXex
— Michael Katz (@MichaelLKatz) February 3, 2025
This trade, which sent the 25-year-old perennial MVP contender to the Lakers in exchange for the All-NBA big man Anthony Davis, took nearly a month of secretive discussions between Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.
And the reaction? A combination of shock, disbelief, and confusion—not just from fans, but from the players involved. Dončić’s own response was terse. He quickly sent a group text to his teammates but didn’t pick up the phone when Harrison called to inform him of the deal. It was a trade that no one saw coming, and it left Dallas fans grieving the departure of their young star.
And surprisingly enough, despite her response reflecting sadness, it was undeniable that Coach McPhee-McCuin was caught off guard just like everyone else.“I almost texted you this morning. But I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t focused.” It was clear that the trade, and Luka’s defense (or lack thereof), weighed heavily on McPhee-McCuin’s mind. She even went so far as to explain that when she woke up to a flood of texts about the trade, she initially wondered if it was “fake news.”
Being the defensive coach she is, it is easy to understand her reservations about Doncic.
McPhee-McCuin’s critique: Luka’s defense could hold back Lakers’ title hopes
The Los Angeles Lakers saw this trade as a coup, adding a rising star in Dončić to complement their championship-caliber roster. But for McPhee-McCuin, defense is always the foundation. As the coach of a team that ranks 10th in scoring defense in the NCAA, she understands the value of playing team defense—a value she doesn’t believe Dončić fully embodies.
Nov 20, 2023; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin reacts with her players during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
She stated, “Us playing team defense… they’re so good from a schematic standpoint that if you try to play one-on-one against them, they’re going to get open shots, and they don’t miss them.” McPhee-McCuin knows firsthand the importance of shutting down opponents, and in her eyes, Luka’s defensive shortcomings could cost his new team.
In a recent 76-61 win over Vanderbilt, McPhee-McCuin’s Rebels held the Commodores to 46.9% shooting, forcing 18 turnovers and leading by as much as 20 points. The strategy was clear: pressure defense that wears opponents down.
As fans from Dallas to Los Angeles adjust to the seismic shift in the NBA, one thing is certain: McPhee-McCuin’s words aren’t easily forgotten.
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