I must do better

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Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 28 points, six rebounds and nine assists in Tuesday night’s loss to the Nets, but that did not excuse him from criticism during the TNT broadcast.

On several occasions, analyst Reggie Miller has commented on Doncics’ weight, fitness and health.

For me, looking at it, it’s the heaviest look I’ve probably ever seen Luka, right now, Miller said. And I know he’s had a long year with the Olympics, but watch how he comes and goes. He doesn’t really run.

Doncic suffered a sprained left knee and ankle on November 15 and missed the next three games. Coach Jason Kidd said Doncic is still feeling the pinch as he missed Saturday’s loss to Memphis with ankle pain.

The Mavericks classified Doncic as questionable on the injury report before Tuesday’s game with left ankle pain and a new sprained left thumb designation.

Miller acknowledged the recent history of Doncics’ injuries and the physical difficulty he endured while leading Slovenia to a historic fourth place in the Tokyo Olympics this summer, but he did not consider any of those situations to be. an excuse.

You have the keys to the kingdom if you’re Doncic, right? Miller said. “And he’s a superstar, a superstar in the making already. But he could be so much better. And he will get better.

But for me it must reduce. He really does. And he also needs to improve defensively.

Announcer Kevin Harlan added: We’ve done a few of these Mavs games and when you’re around the team what you hear is he’s sold out; he’s exhausted … My eyes tell me he’s a little heavier.

After the game, Doncic responded to comments from analysts who aren’t the first to question his form during his NBA career.

I think that’s my thing. People are going to talk about it, yes or no, Doncic said. But I know I have to do better. I’ve had a long summer, then I relax a bit.

I had the Olympics, I took three weeks off, then I said I relax a bit, maybe too much, and I just need to get back on track.

Last season, Doncic admitted he was out of shape because he hadn’t scheduled his offseason to properly prepare for the NBA’s early announcement and accelerate through the pandemic midseason. He’s also been criticized for his weight and build since entering the NBA Draft.

Jason Kidd, however, didn’t notice a difference in his superstar.

Well when I got here that’s who he is so that’s all I can really say is that’s how I saw Luka, Kidd said after the game . With [Miller] to bring that out, maybe they saw it in a different light. That’s all I can really say about it. Different players are building muscle or trying to thin out or whatever, so you’re going to have to ask them.

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