The defeat against Germany was not the most worrying event for Slovenia, already qualified for the rest of the World Cup. What caused more concern, on the other hand, was the attitude of Luka Doncic.
The Slovenian star, who finished this game with 23 points, did not show great motivation or energy. In addition, the Mavericks point guard grimaced the whole game…
“Yes, it was in the second quarter. He told me he was fine.”confirms his coach Aleksander Sekulic for Sports Illustrated. “In the second half, he no longer had these problems. He played normally. »
Find a way to protect him
Luka Doncic has been hampered by his right thigh since preparation with Slovenia, due to an old injury that he has been dragging on since March, in the middle of the NBA regular season. Three weeks ago, after exams, he had reassured: ” Everything is OK. Nothing serious. »
Targeted by the defenses, who do not hesitate to be very physical to tire him, Doncic knows that the next duel will be tough since Canada has solid elements to support where it hurts: Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort or Nickeil Alexander – Walker.
“I repeat: he takes a lot of hits during matches,” recalls Sekulic. “The teams are very physical with him and there is a lot of contact. He has to deal with all that and it’s not easy, it affects him a little physically. We’ll try to find a way to protect him. »
| Luka Doncic | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | DAL | 72 | 32 | 42.7 | 32.7 | 71.3 | 1.2 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 21.2 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 61 | 34 | 46.3 | 31.6 | 75.8 | 1.3 | 8.1 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 0.2 | 28.8 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 66 | 34 | 47.9 | 35.0 | 73.0 | 0.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 0.6 | 27.7 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 65 | 35 | 45.7 | 35.3 | 74.4 | 0.9 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 28.4 |
| 2022-23 | DAL | 66 | 36 | 49.6 | 34.2 | 74.2 | 0.8 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 0.5 | 32.4 |
| Total | 330 | 34 | 46.6 | 33.8 | 73.9 | 1.0 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 4.0 | 0.4 | 27.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
