With the NBA season set to resume late next month, teams and players all around the league are doing their best to prepare for action. Unfortunately, for many, the road to return isn’t going to be an easy one.
After months of no action and many players joining in nationwide protests, hitting the gym and staying in shape hasn’t necessarily been a priority for everyone.
This is apparently the case for Dallas star Luka Doncic, who is still a step behind — according to his fitness coach Jure Drasklar.
“We have been working together for the last three weeks. Luka was previously in quarantine and trained individually at home,” he pointed out, “The last three weeks we have been working hard to prepare him for the resumption of the NBA season.”
“He is not in the best shape, which is normal. NBA games will not be played before the end of July, so there is enough time to help him recover and get ready,” he added, “However, he undoubtedly would be ready to play right now.”
Luka is, by far, the Mavericks’ best player. This season, he’s averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game on 46% shooting. As the 7th seed in the West, they will have the chance to make a title run this season, regardless of who’s ready.
But if they want to get far, they will need Luka at the top of his game. He was a front-runner for MVP this season and, before the hiatus, was putting on a show very rarely seen for a guy his age.
Nevertheless, the circumstances have changed and it will be up to Doncic to make sure he is ready for the day basketball finally returns. It will be interesting to behold how he answers the challenge…
