Luka Doncic: I may have relaxed too much after the Olympics

“I had a long summer,” said Doncic, who joined the Slovenian national team’s training camp days after Dallas was eliminated from the playoffs, leading the program to a fourth-place finish in its first Olympics. “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.”
Source: Tim MacMahon @ ESPN

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Luka Doncic says he has “to trim down, got to do better”
sportando.basketball/en/luka-doncic… – 2:04 AM

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Sources: Luka Doncic has reported to training camp weighing more than 260 pounds the last two years. “I know I’ve got to do better,” Doncic said about his conditioning. espn.com/nba/story/_/id…” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>espn.com/nba/story/_/id…
espn.com/nba/story/_/id…” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 11:49 PM

Dave Early @DavidEarly
“I mean we should, [switch everything],” said Nic Claxton. “Teams don’t like that, especially when I get out there. They can’t do nothing with me. I’m up there guarding and it just creates havoc.”
Claxton on his dust up with Luka, and how he wants Nets to run “55-45%” switching pic.twitter.com/tLYGP7yOMp – 11:34 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Nic Claxton on the situation where Luka Doncic drew his fifth tech of the year: “I didn’t say nothing to him, I don’t think. I just kind of got in his face and he took offense to it. He gave me a little shove, but I like that. That keep me going. That’s good.” – 11:33 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
We could see Luka Doncic grimacing and walking gingerly on his left ankle/knee at several points tonight: “I try to play. I try to practice. But it’s still painful.” – 11:28 PM

Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
On another note: Luka Samanic being named G-League Player of the Week isn’t a surprise at all. The G-League was never a problem for the guy as a Spur, he put up big numbers in Austin. Dude has a solid range of skills, but it just hasn’t translated to NBA level thus far. – 11:01 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic responds to criticism about weight, conditioning: ‘I’ve got to do better’ dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 10:37 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kevin Durant said making the change to switching all pick-and-rolls sparked the Nets defense in the 2nd half: “They pretty much ran the same play all game. That’s pretty much what they do (screens/double-screens for Luka Doncic).” – 10:35 PM

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Luka Doncic on his conditioning: “I had a long summer. I had the Olympics, took three weeks off, relaxed a little bit. Maybe too much. I’ve just got to get back on track.” – 10:25 PM

Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Nic Claxton admits that he likes it when he gets other teams frustrated when referring to Luka Dončić pushing him. It keeps him going. – 10:23 PM

Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
Spurs Gregg Popovich admits #Knicks may have find with his former first-round pick Luka Samanic #NBA #Spurs nypost.com/2021/12/07/kni… – 10:03 PM

Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Reggie Miller is delusional. That’s the nicest thing I can say about him! He said the Nets proved what a good defensive team they are at the three-point line?! Luka had a wide-open three and then Hardaway, er, Hardaway Junior, missed a wide-open three!! – 9:58 PM

Tas Melas @TasMelas
So weird Luka didn’t take this shot. pic.twitter.com/JiTYwjOLoh – 9:57 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Mavs shot 9 of 46 (19.6%) from three tonight. The last two misses by Luka and THJ with OT on the line are going to sting most.
Mavs lose 102-99 to the Nets after leading by 11 to start Q4. – 9:57 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Was Luka making some sort of spirit fingers as Nic Claxton missed both FTs or is that just what my mind is choosing to believe? – 9:54 PM

Michael Dugat @mdug
I get the search for a mismatch, but wish the Mavs would try Luka/KP two-man game more in close games late … at least try it. – 9:46 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I feel like the Mavs have missed a lot of shots off pinpoint dimes from Luka. – 9:45 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Harden coming up in the clutch. Drives off Luka for the layup. He’s a board shy of a triple-double. Nets lead 100-97 with 1:23 left. – 9:45 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets trail 97-95 with 3:15 left. This game went from weird and lacking buzz to electric. Luka attacking Patty Mills every time down. – 9:42 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka picks up foul No. 4 and Nets take their first lead of the game 91-90 on two James Harden free throws with 6:41 to play. – 9:34 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
TNT announcers criticize Luka Doncic’s weight during Mavs-Nets: ‘Heaviest I’ve probably ever seen’ dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 9:16 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Interesting end to the third quarter on tap. Luka sits down. Can the Mavericks keep their advantage, which is now 9? – 9:14 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Long conversation during the timeout between Luka Doncic and lead ref Zach Zarba. Neither of them are smiling. But it doesn’t look like either of them are yelling, either. At the end, they agree to disagree and pat each other on the shoulder, moving on. – 9:10 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka just picked up a technical for a love-tap against Nic Claxton. Actions speak louder than words because Luka has said some words to the refs tonight. – 9:04 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka’s chillin in a courtside seat, arms up in mock confusion, after drawing his latest tech.
He’d been working toward that one since the first possession. – 9:04 PM

Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Woah there Luka, you can’t be pushing Nic Claxton like that. Dončic just received a technical foul for it. – 9:04 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Another perfect Doncic drive and dish, but Bullock misses from the corner and is 0-5 on 3-pointers now. – 8:48 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Luka Doncic is trending on Twitter. Can’t imagine why. – 8:47 PM

The Ringer @ringernba
The bank is open for some Luka Magic 🎩
(📼 @NBAonTNT)
pic.twitter.com/gfT60ycKV9 – 8:32 PM

Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs hit their last four shots to end the half inc a pair of 3s from Doncic (One right before the horn banked from straight away). Mavs lead BKN 62-50. Shoot 50% vs the 2nd best FG % defense and had only 1 TO. Doncic 18-4-6. DFS 9. 2nd half soon @theeagledallas – 8:30 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Luka Doncic tore the Nets up on what looked like one heathy knee, and the Nets have struggled to stop anything at the rim. If it weren’t for James Johnson, I don’t know where the Nets would be right now.
Halftime: Mavs 62, Nets 50 – 8:30 PM

Michael Dugat @mdug
Also, I think we (Mavs fans) almost all get a little defensive when people say negative things about Luka (maybe residue from living thru Dirk being shit on relentlessly until he won a Title), but that doesn’t make their observations wrong … at least sometimes. – 8:30 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Luka Doncic hitting a 29-foot off-balance step back bank shot against good defense just about sums up that first half. The #Nets trail the #Mavericks 62-50. – 8:28 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka Doncic with six points in the 32 seconds of the second quarter, including a banked-in 30-footer that put the Mavericks up 62-50 just before the halftime buzzer. He’s got 18 points, six assists at the break. James Harden with 7 points, 7 assists, 6 rebs. – 8:28 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
With all that weight talk, oblivious Doncic banks in a 3 to give Mavs a 62-50 halftime lead and himself 18 points. We should all be so productive when we’re chunky. – 8:28 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Halftime: Mavs lead the Nets 62-50. Luka just banked a shot I will tell my children about. Brooklyn has been sloppy and is getting killed in transition. Has hung around, but hasn’t closed the gap to really make it a game. The Mavs have led all game. – 8:27 PM

Michael Dugat @mdug
Sort of wonder if people like Luka (superstars) go back and watch the national games to see what’s being said about them during the game … and if they do, how they react to being called overweight and out of shape repeatedly. – 8:23 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Reggie with more Doncic weight talk: “You have the keys to the kingdom if you’re Doncic, right? And he is a superstar, a superstar in the making already. But he could be so much better. And he will get better. 1/2 – 8:22 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
An absolute crime that lasso of a Luka pass will not be a statistic.
Hadn’t heard the AAC crowd gasp like that in a while. – 8:18 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Earlier in the broadcast Miller offered this advice to Doncic, speaking from experience: pic.twitter.com/JJTnHs7S12 – 7:59 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Reggie Miller with some HSOs during the broadcast:
“To me, looking at him, this is the heaviest I’ve probably ever seen Luka look, right now. And I know he’s had a long year with the Olympics, but look how he’s plodding up and down; he’s not really running.
1/2 – 7:52 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
He only has one assist to show for it so far, but Luka’s arsenal of nifty passes has been on full display so far. – 7:46 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Thibodeau on Luka Samanic: “He’s a good, young prospect. He has to keep working.” – 7:40 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka’s already wincing and moving gingerly at times. Seems determined to fight through it, though. Mavericks up 11-6 early. – 7:38 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
DeAndre’ Bembry opens on Luka. – 7:34 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
To Kenny Smith’s question about who on the Mavs can to be more creative, Doncic says: “I think JB’s that guy. He’s been amazing this season… I think this season he’s learning a lot about passing and creating for everybody. I’ve got to play some off the ball. 1/2 – 7:25 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Doncic, to Barkley’s contention that Porzingis plays more aggressive when Doncic isn’t in the game: “I think it’s the whole team, not just us. A lot of games when we don’t play aggressive, we get our ass kicked. But then the games we play aggressive we do a pretty great job.” – 7:19 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Knicks reporters naturally wanted to know Pop’s thoughts on Luka.
“He’s got a lot of talent,” Pop said. “Sky is the limit for him if he just sticks with it and does the things he has to to improve defensively and being consistent. He’s a good kid…The future is bright for him.” – 7:17 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Doncic on TNT pregame show, when asked by @Shaquille O’Neal why @Kristaps Porzingis doesn’t play in the post more often: “He is. That’s what he needs to do. I think this season, we talk a lot more than the last year, and I think he’s doing really an amazing job this year.” – 7:16 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Former Spur Luka Samanic named G League Player of the Week after averaging 30.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists to lead the Westchester Knicks to a 2-1 mark. – 7:15 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Mavs starters tonight vs. Nets: Luka, Bullock, DFS, KP, Powell
I can already hear the qualms even though I’m underneath the arena lol – 7:08 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Steve Nash calls Luka Doncic “a combination of Dirk and a point guard” to fit Mavs history perfectly: dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 7:06 PM

Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: DFS, Porzingis, Powell, Bullock, Doncic
BKN Starters: Durant, Bembry, Aldridge, Mills, Harden
6:32 tip @theeagledallas – 7:03 PM

Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Things To L👀k Out For In The Nets vs. Mavericks Game:
▪️Nic Claxton (5.2 PPG, 4.4 ROG) has only logged 3 minutes since returning to the lineup.
▪️Luka Dončić is averaging a 5 turnovers a game, the most he’s given it up in his career.
▪️Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris are out. – 6:59 PM

Dwain Price @DwainPrice
Luka and Porzingis will play tonight against the Nets. Luka missed the last game with left ankle soreness, and Porzingis sat out the past two games with a left knee contusion. – 6:20 PM

Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“He’s one of the hardest guys to guard.”
⁃Steve Nash on Luka Dončić. – 6:04 PM

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Steve Nash calls Luka Doncic “a combination of Dirk and a point guard.” – 6:04 PM

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Luka Dončić (left ankle soreness/left thumb sprain). Tim Hardaway Jr. (right knee contusion) and Kristaps Porzingis (left knee contusion) are all playing tonight against Brooklyn, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd says.
More NBA from me: marcstein.Substack.com – 5:48 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka,KP and Hardaway all will play tonight. Sterling Brown out. – 5:48 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Jason Kidd confirms Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. will all play tonight vs. Nets.
Sterling Brown (left foot soreness) is out. – 5:48 PM

Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
Interesting timing with former Spurs first-rounder Luka Samanic being named G League Player of Week with Knicks in Alamo City. – 5:39 PM

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Dallas has upgraded Luka Dončić (left ankle soreness/left thumb sprain) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (right knee contusion) to probable for tonight’s @NBAonTNT game against Brooklyn. Kristaps Porzingis (left knee contusion) was already probable.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com – 1:55 PM

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Mavs have upgraded Luka Doncic (sore left ankle, sprained left thumb) to probable vs. Nets tonight. – 1:20 PM

Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Mavs’ latest injury report for tonight vs. Nets:
— Luka and THJ upgraded from questionable to probable
— Sterling Brown a new addition with left foot soreness
— KP still probably, WCS still out pic.twitter.com/Sm79tlM6G4 – 12:44 PM

More on this storyline

Sources told ESPN that Doncic reported to training camp weighing more than 260 pounds for the second consecutive year. His listed weight is 230 pounds. -via ESPN / December 8, 2021

“People are going to talk about it, yes or no,” said Doncic, who had 28 points, six rebounds and nine assists in the loss. “I know I’ve got to do better.” -via ESPN / December 8, 2021