Criticism about Luka Doncic‘s weight has been frequent since he entered the NBA, and the Slovenian star acknowledged that he has to concentrate more on conditioning after the Mavericks‘ loss to the Nets Tuesday night, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
“People are going to talk about it, yes or no,” Doncic said. “I know I’ve got to do better.”
The extra pounds have barely impacted Doncic’s performance as he made the All-Star team the past two seasons and is a perennial MVP candidate. He put up 28 points, six rebounds and nine assists Tuesday and remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive threats.
However, the talk about his weight is growing louder, and MacMahon notes that it was a topic of conversation on the TNT broadcast. Analyst Reggie Miller observed that Doncic was “plodding up and down the court” and said he “has got to trim down.”
Doncic weighed more than 260 pounds when he reported to training camp, a source tells MacMahon, well above his listed playing weight of 230. Camp started shortly after the end of the Summer Olympics, where Doncic strung together brilliant performances while leading Slovenia to the medal round.
“I had a long summer,” he said. “I had the Olympics, took three weeks off, and I relaxed a little bit. Maybe too much. I’ve just got to get back on track.”
Doncic’s conditioning efforts have been sidetracked by a sprained left knee and ankle that have caused him to miss four of Dallas’ last 10 games. He also appeared on Tuesday’s injury report with a sprained left thumb.
“(The ankle is) still painful, but I try to play and try to practice,” Doncic said. “But it’s still painful.”
Dallas go ahead and trade Chubby Luka to New York Knicks
I’d be embarrassed to be a top athlete in such poor shape, especially when surrounded by players at peak fitness level. And it’s not like Luka has only been in the league for a year or two. He just doesn’t give a crap.
Between that and all the whining during games, hard to really root for him.
Can you get a clue?
Just 1!
He’s owing it though. Gotta respect that at least, no?
I mean, what else is he gonna say? And I’m pretty sure this isn’t the first time he’s acknowledged he needs to be in better shape yet it still hasn’t happened.
Talking the talk is fine, but at some point you gotta walk the walk.
Add in the crotch punching and yeah, screw him.
Watching luka I would say the new haircut gives him a chubby look as far as his plodding, I call him methodical but deadly.
Maybe this explains his so so season so far!
Luka should make buddies with Zion.
Being a fat PG is no way to go through life. Not everyone can pull it off, just Luka and John Bagley.
You forgot Baron Davis.