Luka Dončić Discussion - Year 6

[Mavrelous]

What's holding Luka back from looking different?

Missed free throws, complaining to the refs non stop... and some also point out looking fat.

It's crazy how year on year it feels like nothing changes.

Context: Slovenia got knocked out against a farmers team.

He needs to mature, and nothing brings maturity more than failure.
Luka never failed, he won everything at Real, won the EB in '17, in the Olympics he barely lost to a much better team in the semis and in Dallas he always performed above expectation, I guess the game for 4th place could be considered a failure.
He's a 23 y/o who have been cuddled by the media and regarded as the anointed since he was 16, it's astonishing how he kept his head until now given his age, but this is new situation for him, I hope people in his surrounding help him overcome it.

[Maverick41]

He needs to mature, and nothing brings maturity more than failure.
Luka never failed, he won everything at Real, won the EB in '17, in the Olympics he barely lost to a much better team in the semis and in Dallas he always performed above expectation, I guess the game for 4th place could be considered a failure.
He's a 23 y/o who have been cuddled by the media and regarded as the anointed since he was 16, it's astonishing how he kept his head until now given his age, but this is new situation for him, I hope people in his surrounding help him overcome it.

I agree. Luka's biggest problem is maturity and it's understandable considering his age and how much is on his shoulders. That's why I always advocate for someone that has proven leadership skills and can pull him to the side whenever he goes on his tantrums. Most of the great players had at least 1 vet guy that they credit for their maturation. We don't have that guy on our current team imo.

[leolozon]

He needs to mature, and nothing brings maturity more than failure.
Luka never failed, he won everything at Real, won the EB in '17, in the Olympics he barely lost to a much better team in the semis and in Dallas he always performed above expectation, I guess the game for 4th place could be considered a failure.
He's a 23 y/o who have been cuddled by the media and regarded as the anointed since he was 16, it's astonishing how he kept his head until now given his age, but this is new situation for him, I hope people in his surrounding help him overcome it.

I agree. Luka's biggest problem is maturity and it's understandable considering his age and how much is on his shoulders. That's why I always advocate for someone that has proven leadership skills and can pull him to the side whenever he goes on his tantrums. Most of the great players had at least 1 vet guy that they credit for their maturation. We don't have that guy on our current team imo.

He's 23 and has been a pro since he's a teen. It's not understandable at all considering his age that he can't keep his emotions in check and can't understand that he need to work on his conditioning. 23yo isn't a kid.

Some part of me think the team was lucky he got hurt at the end of last year so he could be fresh for the Suns series.

Consider me part of those that can't stand the whining any more. I've made enough excuses. Just play the game. It's a waste of energy

[Maverick41]

He's 23 and has been a pro since he's a teen. It's not understandable at all considering his age that he can't keep his emotions in check and can't understand that he need to work on his conditioning. 23yo isn't a kid.

Some part of me think the team was lucky he got hurt at the end of last year so he could be fresh for the Suns series.

Consider me part of those that can't stand the whining any more. I've made enough excuses. Just play the game. It's a waste of energy

I still consider 23 young. Heck there's some rookies older then that. But I agree irregardless that he needs to get it together emotionally. The whining hurts his team and it hurts his brand as well.

But again, while Luka bears a majority of the blame for his own immaturity, the FO also needs to do a better job of surrounding him with guys that hold him accountable rather then a bunch of yes-men. His first 2 years he at least had guys like Dirk, Barea, W. Matthews, C. Lee, etc. Guys that were true professionals on and off the court and would let Luka know it if he wasn't. It's no wonder Luka was in his best shape and on his best behavior in those years.

[Mavrelous]

He needs to mature, and nothing brings maturity more than failure.
Luka never failed, he won everything at Real, won the EB in '17, in the Olympics he barely lost to a much better team in the semis and in Dallas he always performed above expectation, I guess the game for 4th place could be considered a failure.
He's a 23 y/o who have been cuddled by the media and regarded as the anointed since he was 16, it's astonishing how he kept his head until now given his age, but this is new situation for him, I hope people in his surrounding help him overcome it.

I agree. Luka's biggest problem is maturity and it's understandable considering his age and how much is on his shoulders. That's why I always advocate for someone that has proven leadership skills and can pull him to the side whenever he goes on his tantrums. Most of the great players had at least 1 vet guy that they credit for their maturation. We don't have that guy on our current team imo.

He's 23 and has been a pro since he's a teen. It's not understandable at all considering his age that he can't keep his emotions in check and can't understand that he need to work on his conditioning. 23yo isn't a kid.

Some part of me think the team was lucky he got hurt at the end of last year so he could be fresh for the Suns series.

Consider me part of those that can't stand the whining any more. I've made enough excuses. Just play the game. It's a waste of energy

23 y/o men are still immature, reckless and easily swayed by temptations, Luka has defied the rules of age, but he still fails from time to time, in this game he let his emotions take the best of him, it's understandable, he was injured, his team isn't good, but played even worse than their level, and nothing was going his way, while this is fine in NBA RS games (I vividly remember the ORL and OKC losses where he had similar demeanor), but in elimination game in quarter finals, this is lethal.
His constant whining also did him in this time, the tech he received was totally uncalled for, and the refs were clearly out to get him.

[Dirk]

I agree. Luka's biggest problem is maturity and it's understandable considering his age and how much is on his shoulders. That's why I always advocate for someone that has proven leadership skills and can pull him to the side whenever he goes on his tantrums. Most of the great players had at least 1 vet guy that they credit for their maturation. We don't have that guy on our current team imo.

He's 23 and has been a pro since he's a teen. It's not understandable at all considering his age that he can't keep his emotions in check and can't understand that he need to work on his conditioning. 23yo isn't a kid.

Some part of me think the team was lucky he got hurt at the end of last year so he could be fresh for the Suns series.

Consider me part of those that can't stand the whining any more. I've made enough excuses. Just play the game. It's a waste of energy

23 y/o men are still immature, reckless and easily swayed by temptations, Luka has defied the rules of age, but he still fails from time to time, in this game he let his emotions take the best of him, it's understandable, he was injured, his team isn't good, but played even worse than their level, and nothing was going his way, while this is fine in NBA RS games (I vividly remember the ORL and OKC losses where he had similar demeanor), but in elimination game in quarter finals, this is lethal.
His constant whining also did him in this time, the tech he received was totally uncalled for, and the refs were clearly out to get him.

The whining is also giving him a really bad rep. A lot of the comments following that loss are about all his complaining and behaviour at the end of the game. But even other things (free throws and body shape) are a mystery. I saw people were pointing out to him looking fat and out of shape.

It went downhill from here


He is young of course, but very mature basketball wise... and smart... which makes it all the more confusing that it doesn't feel like you see much change in any area.

Anyway, we'll see him soon enough with the Mavs and start the season rollercoaster again.

[Mavrelous]

Anyway, we'll see him soon enough with the Mavs and start the season rollercoaster again.

Mavs must sign a backup PG, it's simply a must, Brunson carried the team in November/December last year, and someone will need to do it this year from the looks of it.

[Archx]

I wonder if he'll be even ready for training camp. I sense he'll take some time off again and won't even practice. Even fatter Luka incoming for yet another slow season start.

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This is going to anger a lot of people probably

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[Mavrelous]

This is going to anger a lot of people probably

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I don't think it will, at least it shouldn't, great men understand their duty to nation and homeland, I'd be angry if it was the other way around.

[Mavrelous]

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[Mavrelous]

https://www.nba.com/news/2022-23-gm-survey

[Oscar9992]

Luka was incredible last night. Looked slimmer, fitter & faster than his usual self.

Can't wait to watch him in upcoming season.

[Darren]

It seems like Hawks is legitimate contender with Murray. But Luka hits wall everywhere with an incompetent frontcourt giving next to no help.

[41Dirk41]

It seems like Hawks is legitimate contender with Murray. But Luka hits wall everywhere with an incompetent frontcourt giving next to no help.

Put Luka on the Hawks and he had at least 1 ring... And Young supporting cast is still better than Luka's.

[ejs78]

It seems like Hawks is legitimate contender with Murray. But Luka hits wall everywhere with an incompetent frontcourt giving next to no help.

Hard to say since Vegas has the Mavs win total 3 games higher.

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[41Dirk41]

It seems like Hawks is legitimate contender with Murray. But Luka hits wall everywhere with an incompetent frontcourt giving next to no help.

Hard to say since Vegas has the Mavs win total 3 games higher.

Sent from my SM-G960U using RealGM mobile app

Yes... Luka >>>>>>>> Young.

[Mr B]

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[Mavrelous]

[Oscar9992]

Hot start from Luka so far. Improved his FT shooting but struggling at 3Pt shooting

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[41Dirk41]

And not so bad on defense... Unreal start of the season.