While <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic">Luka Doncic</a> is widely recognized as one of the NBA’s top players, even leading his team alongside Kyrie Irving to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> Finals, where they fell to the Boston Celtics, not everyone is impressed. A former <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Lakers</a> Hall of Famer has called out Doncic for what he sees as a significant flaw in the Slovenian’s game.



Michael Cooper, a former Defensive Player of the Year, made his thoughts clear during a segment of his podcast, “Showtime Podcast with Michael Cooper.” In a game of ‘Start, Bench, and Cut,‘ Cooper chose to start <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard">Damian Lillard</a>, bench Doncic, and cut <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kyrie-irving">Irving</a>.



Cooper explained that his decision to bench Doncic stemmed from his belief that the Mavericks star lacks effort, particularly on defense. “Luka gives you that triple-double almost every night, but he’s too slow for me. If he wasn’t a scorer, I would cut him. I give him credit for that, but to me, he’s lazy,” Cooper stated. “He doesn’t hustle back on defense.”



<h2>Luka Doncic previously criticized by NFL star</h2>



This isn’t the first time Doncic has faced harsh criticism. Following the 2024 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> All-Star Game, former Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy also took aim at Doncic, labeling him the worst All-Star he had ever seen.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240813_BUS_158157_luka-doncic-all-star-1024x576_da9785e3.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-158184" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/luka-doncic-all-star-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/luka-doncic-all-star-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/luka-doncic-all-star-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/luka-doncic-all-star-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/luka-doncic-all-star.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks and Western Conference All-Stars drives to the basket against the Eastern Conference All-Stars in the third quarter during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. Revere/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



“Luka is the worst All-Star I’ve ever seen in my life,” McCoy said. “He can score, pass, and rebound, but he has no effort on defense. He doesn’t hustle for loose balls or rebounds.”


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/nba-news-lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-breaks-silence-on-drafting-lebron-james-son-bronny"></div>


McCoy continued, “He has no sense of urgency in playing solid basketball, and I won’t let my son, who wants to be a basketball player, watch his tape. I don’t want him learning from a superstar like that. No hustle, no attitude, no care. It’s crazy.”

NBA News: Former Lakers’ legend, NBA Hall of Famer calls out Mavericks’ star Luka Doncic

NBA News: Former Lakers’ legend, NBA Hall of Famer calls out Mavericks’ star Luka Doncic - Bolavip US

miniaturas

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks">Dallas Mavericks</a> continue to strengthen their roster ahead of the upcoming NBA season. The arrival of a new player is part of the franchise’s strategy to build a deep and competitive roster.



Despite having a luxury starting team led by <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic">Luka Doncic</a>, the Mavericks are looking to strengthen their rotation with young and talented players. The two-way contract allows the organization to assess the player’s potential and decide if he deserves a permanent position on the team in the future.



This player’s path in Dallas will be challenging. The competition for minutes at the small forward position is high, so he will need to work hard to earn a spot in the regular rotation. However, his youth and talent allow him to become an important piece of the team in the future.



<h2>Who is the player signed by the Dallas Mavericks to support Luka Doncic?</h2>



According to Shams Charania, a journalist for The Athletic, the Texan team has reached an agreement with Kessler Edwards for a two-way contract. The 24-year-old forward arrives in Dallas after a season with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/sacramento-kings">Sacramento Kings</a>, where he had limited opportunities to show his talent.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240727_BUS_150981_Kessler-Edwards-1024x576_6c341708.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-151000" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Kessler-Edwards-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Kessler-Edwards-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Kessler-Edwards-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Kessler-Edwards-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Kessler-Edwards.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kessler Edwards #17 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a photo at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on October 02, 2023 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



With a height of 2.03 meters, Edwards has the necessary physical characteristics to stand out in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a>. Although his offensive performance still has certain limitations, his defensive ability is remarkable, which could make him a valuable asset for the Mavericks.


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/olympics/why-is-luka-doncic-not-playing-in-the-paris-2024-olympic-games"></div>


<h2>Edwards’ future in Dallas</h2>



The signing of Kessler Edwards is a bet by the Dallas Mavericks for a player with room for improvement. While his immediate impact on the team may be limited, his presence in the squad brings depth and internal competition, which benefits the team as a whole.

Dallas Mavericks sign rising player to support Luka Doncic

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Dallas Mavericks sign rising player to support Luka Doncic - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic">Luka Doncic</a>, one of the brightest figures in the NBA and considered by many to be the best young player in the league, will surprisingly not be present at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His absence has generated great expectations and questions among basketball fans around the world.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> season is extremely demanding physically and mentally. Players usually have a very tight schedule, with few days of rest between games. This can lead to significant physical and mental exhaustion, which could lead some players like Doncic to prioritize their recovery and preparation for the next NBA season.



Throughout his career, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks">Dallas Mavericks</a> player has suffered some injuries that could have influenced his decision to participate in the Olympics. While no serious injuries have been reported recently, any physical discomfort could have been a factor to consider when deciding whether or not to play at Paris 2024.



<h2>Luka Doncic out of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games</h2>



The main reason why Luka Doncic will not participate in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/olympics">Paris 2024 </a>is due to the elimination of the Slovenia national team in the qualifying phase for the Olympic Games. In a high-intensity Olympic qualifying tournament, Slovenia, led by Doncic, could not overcome their rivals and were out of the competition.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240727_BUS_150903_Luka-Doncic-Dallas-1024x576_9b71ed38.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-150907" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Luka-Doncic-Dallas-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Luka-Doncic-Dallas-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Luka-Doncic-Dallas-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Luka-Doncic-Dallas-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/Luka-Doncic-Dallas.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives past Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Slovenia’s elimination in the pre-Olympic qualifiers</h2>



Slovenia’s defeat was a blow to Slovenian fans and basketball lovers in general. Doncic, who had carried the weight of the national team on multiple occasions, could not avoid elimination. This defeat was a major setback for Slovenia’s Olympic aspirations and left many wondering if they would see Doncic at an Olympics shortly.


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/olympics/why-has-stephen-curry-never-played-in-the-olympics-until-paris-2024"></div>


Luka Doncic’s absence from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is a great loss for world basketball. Fans hope Doncic will have a chance to represent his country in future Olympics.

Why is Luka Doncic not playing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

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Why is Luka Doncic not playing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games? - Bolavip US

Luka Doncic and the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks">Dallas Mavericks</a> are on the ropes after losing 106-99 in Game 3 of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">2024 NBA Finals</a> against the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/boston-celtics">Boston Celtics</a>. Once again, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White looked dominant proving experts wrong as underdogs for this matchup on the road.



Last night, Doncic lost control for most of the game and, with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, the star fouled out. Although Kyrie Irving tried to keep the Mavs alive, the absence of his teammate was significant.



Therefore, during the press conference at the end of the game, the inevitable question for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic">Luka Doncic</a> was what he thought about the referees’ calls which took him out of action in the final stretch.



“I mean, I don’t know. We couldn’t play physical. I don’t know. I don’t want to say nothing. You know, six fouls in the NBA Finals, basically I’m like this (makes helpless gesture with hands). Come on, man. Be better than that.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240613_BUS_132543_lukadoncicreferees-1024x576_67241f67.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-132552" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/lukadoncicreferees-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/lukadoncicreferees-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/lukadoncicreferees-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/lukadoncicreferees-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/lukadoncicreferees.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic is tired of NBA referees (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>





<h2>Has any NBA team won from 3-0 down?</h2>



No. Teams that have trailed 0-3 in NBA playoffs history have a record of 0-156. If the Mavericks manage to win four consecutive games, it would be the greatest feat in basketball history.







In 2016, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers to become the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals against Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors. However, the Mavs face a totally different monster with no wins on the board.


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/magic-johnson-takes-a-big-shot-at-lebron-james-and-los-angeles-lakers"></div>

Luka Doncic takes a big shot at referees in 2024 NBA Finals

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Luke Doncic is tired of referees in 2024 NBA Finals - Bolavip US

Luka Doncic just had enough of referees in 2024 NBA Finals

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba-finals">2024 NBA Finals</a> are upon us, and Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd wants to make sure Luka Doncic, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kyrie-irving">Kyrie Irving</a> and the rest of the squad make the most out of this golden opportunity to win a championship.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jason-kidd">Kidd</a> knows what is like to make it to this stage of the postseason as a player, as he was the Mavs’ starting point guard in the team’s road to the title in 2011. However, he made it clear that the coaches have it tougher than the players to make it all the way here.



“A lot harder to coach. It’s fun, but it’s harder. As a player, it’s easy. You have a little bit more control. As a player, it’s a lot easier. As a coach, it’s harder, but it’s gratifying,” Kidd said in a press conference ahead of Game 1.



Kidd’s comments should make <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic">Doncic</a>, Irving and company aware that they haven’t achieved anything yet, and that they shouldn’t let the recent success go to their heads. The Mavs coach claims that thriving as the bench boss requires much more effort, but he still loves the job.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240606_BUS_130612_Jason-Kidd-2-1024x576_37474eb7.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd speaks to the media during the 2024 NBA Finals Media Day at TD Garden on June 05, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts." class="wp-image-130618" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/Jason-Kidd-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/Jason-Kidd-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/Jason-Kidd-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/Jason-Kidd-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/Jason-Kidd-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd speaks to the media during the 2024 NBA Finals Media Day at TD Garden on June 05, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.</figcaption></figure>



“It does feel good to be here. You’ve put in a lot of time. I got to wear glasses now because you watch so much video. It’s fun. It’s chess. I love playing chess, to be able to put players in position to be successful on and off the floor.”


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/lebron-james-gets-real-on-seeing-kyrie-irving-reach-nba-finals-without-him"></div>


<h2>Jason Kidd reminds of difficulty of making it to the NBA Finals </h2>



Kidd has made it to the NBA Finals on three occasions during his playing days, but fell short both in 2002 and 2003 with the Nets. It took him almost a decade to redeem himself with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks">Mavericks</a>, but couldn’t return to the Finals after 2011.



“You’re never guaranteed to be back here. And that’s as a player, too. In ’11, we felt we could do it again, but we never made it back,” Kidd said.



2024 will see a much more mature Kidd look for another success in his career, this time as a head coach. It doesn’t look like an easy challenge though, with the Boston Celtics aiming to get the job done after a fantastic season.



<h2>2024 NBA Finals dates</h2>



<ul><li>Game 1: Mavs @ Celtics – June 6 – 8:30 PM (ET)</li><li>Game 2: Mavs @ Celtics – June 9 – 8 PM (ET)</li><li>Game 3: Celtics @ Mavs – June 12 – 8:30 PM (ET)</li><li>Game 4: Celtics @ Mavs – June 14 – 8:30 PM (ET)</li><li>Game 5*: Mavs @ Celtics – June 17 – 8:30 PM (ET)</li><li>Game 6*: Celtics @ Mavs – June 20 – 8:30 PM (ET)</li><li>Game 7*: Mavs @ Celtics – June 23 – 8 PM (ET)</li></ul>



* If necessary.

Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving warned as Jason Kidd sends huge reminder to Mavs ahead of 2024 NBA Finals

2024 NBA Finals: Mavs HC Jason Kidd warns Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and rest of players - Bolavip US

Jason Kidd warns Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Mavs ahead of 2024 NBA Finals

<ul><li>Doncic and Porzingis played together in Dallas.</li><li>They reportedly didn’t get along.</li><li>The stars talk about their alleged feud.</li></ul>



<h2>Do Luka Doncic And Kristaps Porzingis Not Get Along?</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> have finally unleashed <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luka Doncic’s</a> true potential. Unsurprisingly, that happened as soon as they surrounded him with the kind of players he needed to succeed.



Mark Cuban had already tried to do that. He paired him with another European stud like Kristaps Porzingis, and while the idea was promising, they couldn’t get the job done together.



More than that, there were rumors of a feud between them. Eventually, the Mavericks chose to move on from the Latvian and keep their franchise player happy. Now, they’ll meet in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> Finals.



<h2>Porzingis And Doncic Have Beef, Says Chandler Parsons</h2>



That’s why former NBA player Chandler Parsons believes Porzingis won’t be welcome back in Dallas, going as far as to say that he’s got ‘actual beef’ with Doncic:



“They do not like [Kristaps] Porzingis in Dallas. Luka did not like playing with him, there is an actual beef there. Every time he touches the ball he’s getting booed,” Parsons said on Run It Back.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240605_BUS_130443_kristapsporzingis-1024x572_a2b22d1f.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-47148" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/kristapsporzingis-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/kristapsporzingis-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/kristapsporzingis-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/kristapsporzingis.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Doncic Denies Rumors Of Feud With Porzingis</h2>



Doncic didn’t seem to care about those comments. He claimed that he had barely talked to Parsons in the past, denying the rumors and claiming that he’s actually on good terms with the Latvian:



“That’s why I don’t watch a lot of that,” Luka said of Parsons’ take. “Because people don’t know. I talked to Chandler Parsons probably twice in my life. I don’t know how he would know that. But me and KP [Porzingis] have a good relationship. I don’t know why people say otherwise.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240605_BUS_130443_luka-doncic-1024x572_62390a3c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-24988" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/luka-doncic-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/luka-doncic-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/luka-doncic-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/luka-doncic.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Porzingis Talked About His Partnership With Doncic</h2>



This isn’t the first time that they’ve addressed that situation. Months ago, Porzingis admitted that he wasn’t mature enough to know how to deal with not being the first option anymore. He confirmed that there was some tension between them at first:



“Early on, for sure, but I think we both tried to make it work. I think communication and maturity on both our parts should have been better,” Porzingis said in the Old Man &amp; The Tree. “It’s a big mix of things. Maturity, for sure. Like again, I am talking [about] what I could have done better. And then, I was not that much into analytics and numbers. If somebody, I think, at that stage of my career presented it to me the right way and said, ‘This is what we need to do, this is what we need from you — you are going to be way more effective doing this.’ Like, kinda of explaining to me better. I think that would have made the difference a little bit.”


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/luka-doncic-reveals-why-kyrie-irving-his-perfect-teammate"></div>


At the end of the day, no player needs more motivation to be at their best in the NBA Finals. There’s no bigger stage than this. Even so, this will be another storyline to follow closely in this exciting series. 


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6660a52234cb8da5c1a37b2c" data-title="Who\&apos;ll win the NBA Finals?" data-options="2"></div>

Mavs star Luka Doncic clears the air on beef with Kristaps Porzingis

NBA: Mavs star Luka Doncic clears the air on beef with Kristaps Porzingis - Bolavip US

Luka Doncic gets real on his beef with Kristaps Porzingis

Luka Doncic clears the air on beef with Kristaps Porzingis

By losing Game 4 at home, the<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Dallas Mavericks</a> missed the perfect opportunity to punch their tickets to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> Finals and get almost ten days to rest before their next series. 



Lu<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ka Doncic</a> and<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kyrie-irving" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Kyrie Irving</a> combined for 44 points on 13-of-39 shooting, which is far below their usual production. That was the main takeaway following their five-point loss.



Doncic took the blame for the defeat, claiming that he didn’t come out to play with the energy his team needed. Nonetheless, his veteran co-star didn’t seem to agree with that assessment. 



<h2>Kyrie Irving Defends Luka Doncic After Loss In Game 4</h2>



“I mean, he’s not alone in this,” Irving said. “I expect him to say something like that, especially knowing how much he cares and how much he wants to win. How much he wants to lead our group. So I expect nothing less. I think you heard me too, just say that it’s on me. That’s what you’re supposed to hear from the leaders of your team. We know that we didn’t play with the best energy; we didn’t create enough opportunities for us to get easy baskets. Just gotta take the hit on the chin, man. It’s not the first time we’ve been hit. Just competitive sports. It’s what makes it great.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240530_BUS_128998_Kyrie-Irving-and-Luka-Doncic-1024x572_4c5eaa05.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-54498" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Kyrie-Irving-and-Luka-Doncic-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Kyrie-Irving-and-Luka-Doncic-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Kyrie-Irving-and-Luka-Doncic-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Kyrie-Irving-and-Luka-Doncic.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic</figcaption></figure>



Irving also had a bit of a Mea Culpa for not pushing the pace and being more aggressive in the paint, adding that they needed to have a greater sense of urgency when they were down on the scoreboard: 



“I think tonight some of those shots that KAT was hitting took the wind out of our sails,” Irving continued. “Anthony [Edwards] got down, got a few easy layups, few pull-ups. And then when we went down six, I just feel like we stopped pushing the ball a little bit. That starts with me. I just gotta continue to keep my pace up and get into the lane. Finish my shots that I have on Rudy (Gobert).”



<h2>The Mavs Were ‘Emotionally Fatigued’</h2>



Kyrie then explained that he felt like the team as a whole was a little worn out mentally and emotionally and claimed that they needed to brace themselves for Game 5 in a hostile environment:



“Those are things that I’m going to correct moving forward. But I just gotta stay aggressive. We just have to consistently do the little things,” added Irving. “Coming out tonight ,we felt like we were okay. You can tell it was an emotional fatigue. Everybody was pressured. Now we just gotta deal with this one, deal with this loss and get ready for Minnesota and enjoy that ride there man, because it’s going to be hostile.”


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/luka-doncic-reveals-why-kyrie-irving-his-perfect-teammate"></div>






No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in the NBA playoffs, so the Timberwolves are facing an uphill battle. Then again, the Mavs can’t afford this series to extend any further, so they can’t rest on their laurels.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="66587e8c720ec93917574669" data-title="Who\&apos;s going to win Game 5?" data-options="2"></div>

Mavs Kyrie Irving reacts to Luka Doncic blaming himself for loss vs. Timberwolves 

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Kyrie Irving responds to Luka Doncic taking the blame for loss vs. Timberwolves

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<ul><li>Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have strong on-court chemistry.</li><li>The Mavericks are one win away from the NBA Finals.</li><li>Doncic praised Irving for his ability to dominate in the clutch.</li></ul>



<h2>Luka Doncic Talks About Kyrie Irving’s Impact</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> have jumped to a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. Their star duo of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kyrie-irving" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyrie Irving </a>and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luka Doncic</a> has put the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA’s</a> best defense against the wall, and they pose a big threat in the next stage.



Doncic pulls the strings of the offense as their primary ball-handler and facilitator. Then, Kyrie takes over late in games and takes plenty of pressure off his shoulders with his timely shot-making.



With that in mind, Doncic went out of his way to praise his stellar sidekick. Following their win in Game 2, he raved about how Kyrie has made life easier for him in the clutch.



<h2>Doncic Praises Kyrie For Dominating In The Clutch</h2>



“When we were winning by nine, on the last possession, I said, ‘I’m tired’. He said, ‘that’s the way it’s supposed to be’,” said the former Real Madrid star, who’s still dealing with a knee injury. “He brought that calmness to the team, that maturity, and it’s been unbelievable to have him on our team.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240528_BUS_128631_kyrie-irving-1-1024x572_2d617811.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-30410" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/kyrie-irving-1-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/kyrie-irving-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/kyrie-irving-1-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/kyrie-irving-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kyrie Irving</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Kyrie Steps Up In The Clutch</h2>



Irving has a reputation for being a clutch shot-maker. He has a long history of big shots, especially in the playoffs, and he’s going to continue embracing that challenge:



“Down the stretch, that’s where we make our money, man,” Irving said. “I think we have that poise now, and we’re showcasing just our skillsets out there that a lot of teams have to guard, the depth that we have. A lot of teams have to guard each one of us, and you got to pick your poison.”


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/luka-doncic-reacts-to-kyrie-irvings-clutch-performances"></div>






The Mavs are proving that they’re no fluke. They have the defense and the offensive talent to give anybody a run for their money, including the Boston Celtics.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="66560aee720ec93917574423" data-title="Will the Mavs win the NBA Finals?" data-options="2"></div>

Mavs star Luka Doncic reveals why Kyrie Irving is the perfect teammate

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The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> are one win away from getting back to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> Finals. Clearly, those who doubted whether <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luka Doncic </a>and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kyrie-irving" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyrie Irving</a> could coexist were wrong.



They’ve been a perfect complement to each other thus far, dominating and taking the reins of the offense night in and night out. They might be the only team in the league with two closers on the floor.



That’s why, after watching Irving taking over in the fourth quarter to lead the Mavs to a Game 3 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic had to give him his flowers. 



<h2>Luka Doncic Praises Kyrie Irving</h2>



“Unbelievable. That’s why they call him, some people, Mr. 4th quarter, right? Just amazing,” Doncic said after the win. “He scored, what, 33? It’s amazing. He’s born for this situation. He (was) born for the clutch situations. So we just give the ball to him.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240527_BUS_128344_kyrie-irving-1024x572_290e0c96.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-23582" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/kyrie-irving-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/kyrie-irving-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/kyrie-irving-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/kyrie-irving.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kyrie Irving</figcaption></figure>



<h2>They Still Need To Take Care Of Business</h2>



No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in the NBA playoffs. Even so, Doncic wants to make sure his team isn’t on the wrong side of history, so he’s not ready to celebrate yet: 



“I don’t know what to say, but it feels great. We gotta think about the next game,” Doncic said. “We gotta play with the same mentality. They’re not gonna go away. No way. We need to prepare for the next game and think about the next game. We just say one more; we need one more. (There’s) Nothing done. They have an amazing team, so nothing (is) done yet. We’ve got to get one more, and then if we get one more, we need the rest.”




<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/anthony-edwards-explains-his-struggles-vs-luka-doncics-mavericks"></div>




The Mavericks will most likely face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, and Irving’s return to the TD Garden should be a major storyline to follow. Still, they need to handle business vs. the Timberwolves first.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6654a755720ec939175742fa" data-title="Will the Mavs win the NBA Finals?" data-options="2"></div>

Mavs' Luka Doncic reacts to Kyrie Irving's clutch performances

NBA: Mavs Luka Doncic reacts to Kyrie Irving's clutch performances - Bolavip US

Luka Doncic reacts to Kyrie Irving's dominance in the clutch

Luka Doncic reacts to Kyrie Irving's clutch performances

<ul><li>The Timberwolves are down 0-3.</li><li>Anthony Edwards isn’t ready to panic.</li><li>Luka Doncic isn’t ready to celebrate.</li></ul>



<h2>Anthony Edwards Talks After Falling To 0-3 In The Western Conference Finals</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/minnesota-timberwolves" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Minnesota Timberwolves </a>haven’t been at their best lately. Despite being close — and even up — late in all three games, they’re still down 0-3 in the Western Conference Finals.



The Dallas Mavericks have executed better down the stretch, and they’re now just one win away from the<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> NBA</a> Finals. Moreover, no team has ever come down from a 0-3 deficit.



However, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/anthony-edwards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Edwards </a>knows that all records are meant to be broken. Following the loss, he admitted that even though the situation is tough, he’s never going to lose faith in himself or his team. 



<h2>It’s Not Time To Panic, Says Anthony Edwards </h2>



“I never think the sky is falling,” Edwards said. “I’m always positive, always happy. Been through the works, so the sky’s never falling for me. We can’t be anything but positive at this point. We can’t be negative. Try to get one win at a time.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240527_BUS_128286_Anthony-Edwards-1024x576_95eadc5d.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Anthony Edwards" class="wp-image-122538" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/04/Anthony-Edwards-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/04/Anthony-Edwards-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/04/Anthony-Edwards-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/04/Anthony-Edwards-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/04/Anthony-Edwards.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves</figcaption></figure>



The series will stay in Dallas for Game 4, and Edwards will need Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert to step up and give him a hand after three consecutive subpar performances.



<h2>The Job’s Not Finished Yet, Says Luka Doncic</h2>



The Mavs are so close to the big stage that they can taste it. Nonetheless, they don’t want to rest on their laurels, and Luka Doncic knows that it’s still way too early to celebrate: 



“We just say one more, we need one more,” Doncic said after the game. “Nothing done. They have an amazing team, so nothing (is) done yet. We’ve got to get one more, and then if we get one more, we need the rest.”


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/anthony-edwards-explains-his-struggles-vs-luka-doncics-mavericks"></div>




This series has been exciting, but it’s also been slightly disappointing. Most people expected six or seven games, but the Mavericks have been fairly superior and clearly the better team. Now, they have to finish the job. 


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6654a8ac720ec939175742fe" data-title="Can the Timberwolves come back from this?" data-options="2"></div>

Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards gets real on falling to 0-3 vs. the Mavericks

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Anthony Edwards reacts to falling to 0-3 vs. Luka Doncic

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There’s no denying that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luka Doncic</a> is a unique and special kind of talent. He’s one of the best offensive players in recent <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> history, and he could go down as one of the greatest ever.



Nonetheless, as good a player as he is, his style of play might not favor winning, at least in the playoffs. He tends to hold onto the ball for long stretches, and the offense becomes stagnant.



Apparently, even some of his <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> teammates feel that way. According to an unnamed assistant coach, there’s actually a ‘sign of relief’ whenever he checks out of a game.



<h2>Mavs Players Don’t Like To Play With Luka Doncic, Says Assistant</h2>



“One veteran assistant coach, underscoring the ball-dominance issue, said you can almost sense a “sigh of relief” among Doncic’s teammates when he checks out of a game, “because it opens up a little more freedom” for others to make plays. “It’s a sense of, ‘Hey, now we get to play,’” the coach said. “It’s difficult to have any rhythm if you’re not touching the ball.” And when Doncic is off the floor, it’s a chance for those teammates to show “we don’t have to depend on him,”” reported Howard Beck of The Ringer. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240509_BUS_125059_luka-doncic-3-1024x572_2df78ce4.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-35006" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/luka-doncic-3-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/luka-doncic-3-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/luka-doncic-3-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/luka-doncic-3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic</figcaption></figure>



Doncic’s assists numbers are impressive, but that doesn’t mean he gets his teammates involved. Also, a stagnant offense allows opposing players to rest on defense, as they don’t have to move or switch.



All players need to get touches to get into a rhythm, and while Doncic is more than capable of putting up 30+ points with ease, it takes a team to win an NBA championship. 


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#20231205#BUS#89996"></div>






The Mavs have two iso-heavy players and elite talents in their backcourt, and it’s paid off thus far. Whether that’ll be enough to get to the ultimate stage remains to be seen.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="663d0fee4690f38576751ec4" data-title="Is Doncic a ball hog?" data-options="2"></div>

Mavs players don't like to play with Luka Doncic, reveals coach

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Mavs players don't like Luka Doncic

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<ul><li>Luka Doncic keeps breaking record for the Dallas Mavericks.</li><li>Dirk Nowitzki jokes about being mad at him.</li><li>Nowitzki is proud and excited about the Mavs.</li></ul>



<h2>Dirk Nowitzki Raves About Luka Doncic</h2>



There’s absolutely no doubt that Dirk Nowitzki is the greatest player in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> history. He led them to their only two <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> Finals appearances and won their only championship.



Nonetheless, even though he was a pioneer and a guy who paved the way for European players after him, he might not hold that distinction for much longer. At this rate<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">, Luka Doncic</a> will.



The former Real Madrid star continues to break all kinds of records and make franchise history. That’s why in his recent appearance on the Mavs vs. Miami Heat broadcast, Nowitzki claimed that he’s actually mad at him.



<h2>Dirk Nowitzki Jokes About Being Mad With Luka Doncic</h2>



“Man, I’m so mad. He’s breaking every one of my records, man!” Dirk jokingly said. “I am thrilled for him, obviously. My last year was his first year in the league, and it was just great to see and get to know him a little bit. We saw in Year 1 that the sky is the limit for him but I honestly didn’t think he could go there.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240411_BUS_118265_Luka-Doncic-Dirk-Nowitzki-1024x576_ad8a97ad.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Luka Doncic Dirk Nowitzki" class="wp-image-89945" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/Luka-Doncic-Dirk-Nowitzki-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/Luka-Doncic-Dirk-Nowitzki-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/Luka-Doncic-Dirk-Nowitzki-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/Luka-Doncic-Dirk-Nowitzki-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/Luka-Doncic-Dirk-Nowitzki.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitki celebrating during a Dallas Mavericks game.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Doncic’s Offense Is Flawless, Says Nowitzki</h2>



The legendary power forward gushed about Doncic. He stated that he has no flaws in his offensive game, praising him for getting better with every year he spends in the league:



“He has no offensive holes in his game,” Nowitzki added. “He can do it all, he can shoot the step back, he can go both ways, he can post, he’s got the floater, he’s got all the horse shots, he’s got the full package. It’s been tremendous to watch. Every year I am saying that this kid can’t possibly get better, and next year, he comes back with more in his repertoire. It’s been incredible to watch him in his first couple years in the NBA, and hopefully, Mavs fans enjoy him for a long, long time.”


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#20231205#BUS#89996"></div>




Doncic has become one of the most entertaining players to watch in league history. And while he still has a ways to go to erase Dirk’s name atop of the list, he’s well on pace to become the greatest Maverick of all time.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="66182f592a34d42c6b29fbe0" data-title="Will Doncic be the greatest Mav ever?" data-options="2"></div>

Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki admits he's mad at Luka Doncic

NBA: Mavs legend The hilarious reason why Dirk Nowitzki is mad at Luka Doncic - Bolavip US

Dirk Nowitzki admits he's mad at Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mav<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ericks</a> went from one generational talent to another, and that doesn’t happen very often in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a>. Moreso, the fact that they were both highly-questioned white kids from Europe when they made it to the league only makes it more of an interesting story.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luka Doncic</a> has taken Dirk Nowitzki’s torch, and judging by the start of his career, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him having a better career than him. That’s a lot to say, considering Dirk single-handedly led the Mavs to a championship, won one MVP, and became one of the most proficient and influential scorers of all time.



Doncic has the potential to be that and more, but not many people saw that early in his career. As a matter of fact, not even his sidekick and mentor was sold on him when the Mavs first got him in the NBA Draft.



<h2>Dirk Nowitzki Had Doubts About Doncic</h2>



“My end of career wasn’t pretty, you know, we were struggling,” Nowitzki said on All The Smoke. “There was some talk of tanking going on and we needed a little spark plug to change things. I didn’t think it was going to be this kid. I’m like; I’m not sure this is going to work. Is he quick enough? Is he athletic enough to go buy guys like he is in Europe? And so there were plenty of doubts there from everybody on the team.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20231205_BUS_89996_luka-doncic-3-1024x572_edcff12c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-35006" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/28110320/luka-doncic-3-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/28110320/luka-doncic-3-300x168.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/28110320/luka-doncic-3-768x429.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/28110320/luka-doncic-3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic</figcaption></figure>



Then again, it didn’t take long before Dirk realized that Doncic was more than just a talented kid. He was unfazed by the doubters and those who wanted to challenge him, taking the league by storm from day one:



“And so guys were trying to test him a little bit (before training camp started) and, you know foul, him a little bit here and there in their scrimmages,” Nowitzki continued. “And you can already see that this kid’s got something about him. He’s got that swag. He knows how to play. He was getting some AND1 mixtape passes out of nowhere. And I’m like, he was flashing some of the talent.”



<h2>Doncic Says Dirk Is The Ultimate Role Model</h2>



Dirk knew one thing or two about being overlooked and doubted. Unlike Doncic, he was a bit of a late bloomer, and he had to reinvent his game to make an impact and become the player he became. 



Dirk and Doncic only shared the court for one year, but it was more than enough for the Real Madrid star to get a glimpse of the relentless work ethic he needs to become one of the best of all time, which is why he stated Nowitzki should be a role model for all NBA players:



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20231205_BUS_89996_luka-doncic-2-1024x572_8efb3196.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-33046" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/28110731/luka-doncic-2-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/28110731/luka-doncic-2-300x168.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/28110731/luka-doncic-2-768x429.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/28110731/luka-doncic-2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic</figcaption></figure>



“I was lucky enough to play with him one season,” Doncic said. “The things he has done for Dallas are unbelievable, not just as a player but as a person. He did a lot. I think he should be a role model for every player in the league.”


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At the end of the day, there would be no Luka Doncic without Dirk Nowitzki. The German PF was one of the main guys in terms of breaking barriers and taking down stereotypes to open the door for international players to take their talents to the league.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="656f2c21f2b571abd7e4ac8a" data-title="Will Doncic have a better career than Nowitzki?" data-options="2"></div>

Dirk Nowitzki admits he wasn’t a fan of Luka Doncic

Dirk Nowitzki admits he wasn't a fan of Luka Doncic - Bolavip US

Most young <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> fans won’t hesitate to say that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> is the greatest player of all time. Conversely, old-school fans will die on their hill with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-jordan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Jordan</a> as the undisputed GOAT.



Notably, most players in today’s game grew up looking up to LeBron, who’s been in the league for 21 years now. That’s longer than some of them have been alive, and they’re obviously starstruck when they get to know him.



That’s why it was shocking to see that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luka Doncic</a>, one of the league’s youngest stars, didn’t hesitate to state that Michael Jordan — not LeBron James — was the best ever.



<h2>Luka Doncic Chooses MJ Over LeBron</h2>



Of course, it’s less surprising when you remember the fact that Doncic is a Jordan Brand athlete. MJ is quite the competitive guy, so he wouldn’t like to hear him say otherwise.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Who’s your greatest player of all time ? “MJ, It’s MJ” – Luka Dončić <a href="https://t.co/X43pTM1UsN">pic.twitter.com/X43pTM1UsN</a>— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) <a href="https://twitter.com/BasketballOnX/status/1710262038746861854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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In reality, you couldn’t go wrong either way, and sometimes, it feels like this is just a futile and outdated debate. They’re different players from different eras and played different positions.


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As for Doncic, he has the chance to at least enter the debate when it’s all said and done. He needs to get over the hump in the playoffs, but his career numbers are already historically good.

Luka Doncic makes shocking choice for NBA GOAT between Michael Jordan and LeBron James - Bolavip US

The<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Phoenix Suns</a> were perhaps the biggest winner of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> offseason. On top of trading for Bradley Beal, the team surrounded <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> with plenty of depth at every position.



However, there are still some doubts about Deandre Ayton’s future with the organization, as the former first-overall pick doesn’t seem happy with the team that drafted him.



With that in mind, NBA insider Dalton Triggs reveals that the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> could re-engage trade talks for Ayton, as they had already tried to get him prior to the Draft.



<h2>Mavericks Could Go After Deandre Ayton</h2>



“Given that McGee was apparently the biggest disagreement the Mavs and Suns had in their Ayton talks, wouldn’t it be feasible to envision those conversations potentially coming up again sometime before the season begins,” Trigg wrote.



“Would Phoenix take Hardaway and Holmes straight up with McGee out of the way, or would they now push for draft compensation as well,” the report concluded.


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Of course, this will all depend on Ayton’s efforts — or lack thereof — during his days with Frank Vogel, but a trade away from the Valley of the Sun shouldn’t be ruled out now.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could steal a star from Kevin Durant's Suns

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could steal a star from Kevin Durant's Suns - Bolavip US

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Luka Doncic - Page 28