Luka Doncic has had a crazy and emotional season this year. His performances on the court are only half the story. The main talking point, and something that will define this season for years to come, was the trade by the Dallas Mavericks that led Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. Even though Doncic led the Mavericks to the playoff finals in the previous year, his “stocky” build and defensive weakness were the popular talking points for anyone looking down on the Lakers. After the Lakers’ exit this season in the first round of the playoffs, Doncic is “changing a lot of himself,” according to NBA insiders.
This year was an emotional rollercoaster ride for Luka Doncic
When the NBA and its fans learned of the Doncic/Davis trade, everyone was shocked. The pundits and fans alike began to speculate on what the cause of this unthinkable move on the part of the Mavs was. Doncic and his teammates achieved no small feat by reaching the finals last year, and this season was promising to be his best yet. But all that was to change, dramatically.
Once the world and Doncic got over that initial shock of the trade, the NBA was excited to see what one of the best players in the world could do alongside a legend like Lebron James. Luka proved a point when the Lakers took on the Mavericks in Dallas. It was the first time he had returned to Dallas since being traded, and he expressed his sadness when the Mavs played a tribute video before the game.
His tears would prove to be all the motivation he needed as he went on to give easily his best performance in a Lakers jersey to date. The game was so iconic that the fans in Dallas gave him a standing ovation when he was taken off. Many then thought that, together with Lebron, Doncic, and the Lakers, they would make a successful playoff run, but that was not to be as they stumbled at the first hurdle against the Timberwolves in round 1.
What has led to Luka Doncic “changing a lot of himself”?
The speculation in that regard has been very specific. Most pundits and fans alike have pointed to his conditioning and overall fitness as the main problem. Doncic plays a slow and methodical game that could come off as lazy to some. When the Lakers were eliminated in the first round, Doncic bore the brunt of the collective opinions of the NBA pundits.
According to Jason Gallagher, producer of the “Mind the Game” podcast with LeBron James and Steve Nash, Luka Doncic is committed to changing the perception that he is not as hardworking as, let’s say, his teammate, Lebron James. According to Gallagher, he has already begun his preparations for next season. Surely, a leader like Lebron has advised Doncic on his conditioning and fitness. Lebron’s training routine has become a thing of legend all around the NBA.
Doncic is easily one of the most talented and loyal players in the NBA. He has stated that if he had not been traded to the Lakers, he could have easily spent his entire career in Dallas. Despite the Lakers’ early exit, the playoffs have produced some of the best performances for Doncic in recent years. His training and preparations for next year have begun despite some saying he might leave LA.
Will we see a fitter, leaner Luka Doncic next year?
We certainly hope so. If Doncic can get a little fitter and improve his conditioning, he is a strong candidate for MVP in any season. This year’s playoffs are due to come to an exciting end soon. Luka will surely have one eye on the Finals while he begins his preparations for next season. The Slovenian star was an MVP in Europe before he was drafted by the Mavericks, but the NBA is a lot tougher and more physical than the European basketball competitions, so he needs time to adapt to his new teammates and start with a clean slate.
