Mavs superstar Luka Doncic learned he would start in the NBA All-Star Game for the fourth time in his career while being at TNT’s studio as a guest on ‘Inside the NBA.’
DALLAS — With the Dallas Mavericks already being in Georgia on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Luka Doncic went to TNT’s studio to appear on ‘Inside the NBA’ after being named an NBA All-Star Game starter.
“Every time I’m there, I remember when I was a kid. I always tried to watch the All-Star game, but my parents wouldn’t let me. It was like 3:00 a.m., I had school,” Doncic said. “I just wanted to be in the NBA, that was all. In my first year, I didn’t know what to expect or where I was going to be, but I was just happy to be here and to play basketball at the highest level.”
Doncic has averaged 33.6 points, 9.3 assists, and 8.5 rebounds in 37 games, producing another dynamic season. He was asked how he’s improved this season individually but focused on the need for his 24-20 Mavs to win more games amid a three-game losing streak.
“I don’t know really how but I know we have to win more games,” Doncic said. “I think we’re struggling a little bit, but you just have to work on everything, take bigger steps every year, and every year becomes more of a challenge.”
A frequent storyline surrounding Doncic has been his frustration expressed toward officials during games. Recently, Mavs coach Jason Kidd mentioned the coaching staff will discuss it, but he needs to improve. Doncic mentioned that he has yet to talk with Kidd about this topic.
“It’s got to be me,” Doncic said. “I didn’t have that conversation with coach yet, but it has to be me. I have to stay calm. I’m very passionate on the court. Off the court, I’m a little shy. But it’s on me. I have to do it.”
Kidd recently mentioned that Doncic was “running hot” on the court, regarding his conversations with officials. Doncic admitted he has to focus on smiling more and having fun on the court as he has done in the past instead of voicing his frustration.
“I have to play with the same passion,” Doncic said. “It’s always said to me, ‘I like your game because you’re having fun out there, you’re smiling.’ I just think I must go back to that a little more.”
As someone who has thrived playing in the EuroLeague and NBA, Doncic shared his insight into how the European style of basketball relies more on running half-court sets while the NBA uses more of a read-and-react approach. The contrasting rules make for a significant difference in the game, too.
“I think European basketball is a little bit more tactical than the NBA. In the NBA, I don’t think you have that many actions. In Europe, every time you go down there on offense, you have some sort of call. It’s just different basketball. Basically, because of the rules — the rules are a little bit different. The talent you have in the NBA, you don’t have anywhere. It’s really tough to play defense. You have a superstar on almost any team now, there is so much talent in this league.”
With Doncic earning his fifth All-Star appearance and starting for the fourth time, it serves as a reflection on his career. When discussing the start of his career, he mentioned two players that he was excited to face for the first time, LeBron James and Kevin Durant — both players he will be starting alongside in this year’s NBA All-Star Game.
“I remember in my first year when I had to go against LeBron [James] and KD [Kevin Durant]. I think those two guys, I was really excited to go against them,” Doncic said.
Another topic of discussion was Doncic’s interaction with a Suns fan during Wednesday’s game, which became a lightning rod of discussion given a back-and-forth with the media when discussing how it was reported.
“It was the whole game a little bit. I was really frustrated. We were losing. I twisted my ankle in the first half. It was just a lot of emotions. Probably shouldn’t have done that. When I’m wrong, I admit that. But it was just the whole game going on.”
The NBA All-Star Game will be played in Indianapolis on Feb. 18. The game will be held in the classic “East vs. West” format as opposed to having captains drafting players in the pre-game broadcast before competing against each other.
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