Luka Doncic is on track for a revenge season, one that will be defined by proving several critics wrong. Having taken the onus of working on his conditioning, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar has committed himself to the grind. In a recent interview, he also revealed what was driving him to do so.
While speaking with Men’s Health magazine’s Andrew Heffernan and Ebenezer Samuel, he claimed he drew inspiration from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. He said:
“MJ and Kobe, you know, they really did a lot in their careers. They sacrificed a lot.”
Both Jordan and Bryant had a single-minded obsession with perfection in everything they did. Their mentality and approach towards the offseason was a systematic effort in gaining an edge, bringing them one step closer to dominating their opponent on the court.
Their drive allowed them to soar to great heights. But to do so, they had to be dedicated to their offseason preparation. The Lakers guard has very evidently taken a page from their book, as the results of his offseason conditioning speak for themselves.
Doncic mentioned that he hopes to be dominant for a long time to come, as he stands on the verge of his physical prime. When speaking about his goals, he said:
“Obviously, be the best that I can be, take care of myself. This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can’t stop.”
Last season, Doncic’s arrival was greeted with a blend of enthusiasm and skepticism. While his offensive brilliance has been acknowledged by the masses, several question marks were raised about his ability to defend.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison cited Doncic’s poor conditioning as a key reason behind the shocking decision to move on from their franchise cornerstone. Several used this as a basis for his poor defensive performances.
His shortcomings were exploited in the playoffs and magnified by the media, paving the way for critics to question his health and fitness.
After an early-playoff exit marked the end of the season for the Purple and Gold, the media didn’t hold back in criticizing the guard for being a liability. By the looks of it, however, the guard used that criticism as fuel for the offseason.
Apart from his conditioning, the Lakers superstar has been vital in facilitating the team’s offseason acquisitions. Having played an active role in recruiting Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, it is abundantly clear that Doncic is looking to make a comeback with a vengeance.
The 26-year-old is committed to the Lakers, with the intention of bringing a championship to Los Angeles, a city that demands excellence and reveres legends. With MVP expectations on his shoulders, the Slovenian is primed to etch his name into Lakers lore.
Currently preparing to represent Slovenia at the EuroBasket tournament, Doncic will return to Los Angeles for a Jordan brand event before heading back to his home country.
