Luka Doncic is coming off the best season of his career. However, it appears that the Dallas Mavericks superstar is primed to take it even a notch higher in 2023-24.
The Mavs fell way short last season, finishing the season without even making the Play-In tournament out in the West. Doncic has taken all this personally, and based on what we’ve seen from him this summer, it appears that the four-time All-Star is going to be out for revenge this coming season.
Slovenia Teammate Reveals ‘Serious’ Change in Luka Doncic
Don’t take our word for it, though. One man who has seen Doncic’s journey through the years is Slovenia teammate Mike Tobey. In a recent interview, the American-born naturalized Slovenian spoke out about the “serious” change he’s seen in Luka this offseason — and it should probably put the rest of the NBA on notice:
“I’d say I feel he’s a little bit more rested,” Tobey said, via Cesari Miltani of EuroHoops. “He looks fresh and in shape, he’s really taking care of his body and himself a lot more seriously this summer. You can tell it by his nutrition, by how he looks: he’s in a lot better shape. I really see a big step forward in that part of his professionalism. He seems to be more focused. It seems both. I’ve said it before with friends and family. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have that kind of fame, constantly everybody asking you questions.”
“Skinny Luka” has been trending on Twitter since photos of a much slimmer Doncic came out earlier this summer. Weight and fitness have been two issues the Mavs star has been criticized for through the years, and it looks like he took these to heart in the offseason.
As made evident by Tobey’s statement, it is clear that even his teammates are noticing the new version of Luka Doncic. And honestly, it sounds a bit scary.
Luka Doncic, Slovenia Going for Gold in FIBA World Cup
Right now, Doncic is in The Philippines representing the Slovenian national team with Tobey and the rest of the squad. They are coming off a brutal loss against Dennis Schroder and Germany, but the Slovenians are still on track to win a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup.
Tobey heaped praise on Doncic’s form throughout the tournament:
“Obviously, Luka is amazing,” Tobey said. “He’s been carrying us the whole time, he’s been phenomenal, as he always is. He’s a huge focus point for a lot of teams, it happens when you’re one of the best players in the world.”
In spite of the heroic effort he’s already put in for the national squad, Luka Doncic will need to take his game to another level as Slovenia take on Canada in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. Doncic and Co. come as the slight underdogs against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, and the rest of the Canadian national team.
It’s a win-or-go-home bout, so it goes without saying that Luka will need to be at his very best.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
