Luka Doncic has rapidly constructed a status as one of many NBA’s most dominant and artistic offensive gamers, however the Los Angeles Lakers famous person just lately revealed that his transition to the league was removed from clean.
Regardless of now proudly owning 5 All-Star appearances, 5 All-NBA choices and a scoring title earlier than turning 27, Doncic admitted he briefly questioned whether or not he belonged at basketball’s highest degree.
The Slovenian phenom entered the NBA with important expectations after starring professionally in Europe for Actual Madrid. Doncic signed with the Spanish powerhouse at simply 13 years outdated earlier than creating into one of the crucial embellished teenage prospects in worldwide basketball.
Nonetheless, as soon as he arrived within the NBA, the adjustment proved tougher than he anticipated.
“I feel I used to be like first 5, six video games, you understand, I used to be sort of nervous,” Doncic admitted when reflecting on his rookie season. “Stated like perhaps this isn’t for me, cuz I — I wasn’t — like first 5 video games, I feel I used to be horrible.”
Whereas Doncic was vital of his personal efficiency, his debut numbers nonetheless confirmed flashes of potential.
He completed his first NBA sport with 10 factors, 8 rebounds and 4 assists however struggled to seek out rhythm offensively, 5-16 and committing 4 turnovers throughout a loss to the Phoenix Suns.
He defined that adapting to the general expertise and bodily calls for of the NBA was the largest problem after arriving from Europe.
“I’d say two issues essentially the most. Like clearly, the expertise. The expertise is — it’s loopy within the NBA. After which the physicality,” Doncic stated.
Doncic finally relied on confidence and familiarity along with his model of play to beat his early struggles.
“So, however then it was like simply — I informed myself, like, simply keep in mind the way you play and also you simply translate your sport from Europe to right here,” he stated. “And I all the time discuss having enjoyable on courtroom. Smiling. And that’s — that’s actually true for me.”
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