When this summer the spectacular images of Luka Doncic working out in the gym and showing off a sculpted body appeared on the cover of Men’s Health magazine, many did not take him seriously. The Slovenian wanted to start his season with the Lakers in top form and is proving that he was not bluffing and that his physical mutation was not pure makeup
In his first game of the season, he scored 43 points in the loss to the Warriors (109-119), and two days later he was back with even more ferocity, scoring 49 points to tear apart the Wolves (128-110) and become the fourth player in NBA history to start a season with two consecutive 40-point games. Only Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Anthony Davis had done it before.
Cannibalistic plan
The Slovenian, whose physical change with more marked muscles and many kilos less is obvious, has started the season in cannibal mode. He single-handedly tore apart the Wolves, finalists in the Western Conference, with another sublime game. He scored 49 points (9/11 2-pointers, 5/12 3-pointers and 16/19 free throws), 11 rebounds and 8 assists in 35 minutes in his scoring high with the Lakers.
He was on the verge of sealing his eighth NBA game with at least 50 points. He came very close, as he missed a couple of shots and a free throw in the final minutes that would have rounded off his great performance. Even so, between points and assists he generated almost 60% of his team’s scoring.
We had to make a big effort to win. But I feel great. I want to win every game
Doncic was aware that in the absence of the injured LeBron James at the start of the season, he was obliged to step up to lead the Lakers, and he is doing so in a big way. “Everything is great,” said the Slovenian. “I wish we had won the first game, but obviously it’s a good comeback. Minnesota is a great team. We had to make a great effort to win. But I feel great. I want to win every game.”
He’s one of the best players in the NBA. He has been since he came into the league. What he does doesn’t surprise anyone
His teammates are amazed by him: “He’s definitely one of the best players in the league,” said Austin Reaves, who finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. “He has been since he came into the league. So what he does doesn’t surprise anyone. It’s crazy, because if you look at his stats, he does it in a way that involves everyone.”
“For him, basketball is so easy… That’s the beauty of playing with him
“Luka Doncic is a great player,” said Rui Hachimura, who finished with 23 points on the day that center DeAndre Ayton (15+8) began to justify his signing by the Lakers, whose coach also praised Doncic: “He handled the game very well. By that I mean we needed him, we needed him to score early. They used double marks against him and he became a passer, also grabbing 11 rebounds. It’s just amazing. A complete game from him,” said JJ Redick.
He managed the game very well. We needed it, we needed him to score early. It’s just amazing. A complete game from him
The Slovenian’s exhibition swept away the Wolves, led by Anthony Edwards with 31 points (3/6 three-pointers), four rebounds and five assists, and Julius Randle (26+9+5) on a night when the always controversial Rudy Gobert (2+7+2) did not measure up. Doncic, who in the past already had his quarrels with the Frenchman, seems to be motivated by facing him. Not a good enemy.
Read the full article here
