Luka Doncic may be a transcendent talent, but two significant flaws have overshadowed the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s career. One is his lack of effort on the defensive end, which was abundantly apparent in their first-round exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in this year’s NBA Playoffs.
Another is his lack of conditioning, which fans and analysts have pointed to as the main reason the Dallas Mavericks stunningly traded him to the Purple & Gold before this season’s trade deadline.
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However, one former NBA veteran, Michael Beasley, has pushed back against that popular narrative, claiming that if the Slovenian ace doesn’t have optimal physical conditioning, he wouldn’t be able to put up the numbers he regularly does or even lead the Mavs to the NBA Finals last season.
You have to be in shape to put up a lot of shots in the NBA
The NBA is a grown man’s league, wherein getting a shot off takes a lot of strength and stamina. In his eight-year NBA career, the 6’6″ guard has averaged over 20 shots a game, proving his ability to handle the physical demands of the league. It’s a point that Beasley, the second-overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, champions.
“I hate this narrative on Luka, right? It’s just something that I’m hearing in the news. I hate this like “out of shape” narrative that I’m hearing, ’cause it’s like everybody that’s saying he’s out of shape is the same ones that’s cheering hurrah hurrah when he’s scoring 50 points or 60 points,” the left-handed forward said.
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Beasley, who last played in the Association for the Lakers in 2019, added that this critique of Doncic’s game only comes out of the woodwork whenever his team loses. However, it all fades when the native of Ljubljana, Slovenia, drops 73 points on defenses designed to stop his every move.
“In order to score 50, you got to be in shape to shoot 30 shots at least, right? Especially in the NBA. When it works, what shape are we speaking about? It’s like you always got to find something bad to say about him. And it’s like—why? Like bro, sometimes the other guy was just better and just bust their ass. And just really bust their ass. And it’s as simple as that,” “Beas” pointed out.
Don’t try to ruin a man’s reputation
Luka was keen on staying a member of the Mavs organization for his entire career. He had helped build something special in Dallas after the team acquired him in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, the Mavs’ decision-makers did not believe in “The Don” as much as the latter believed in his team. And not only did Dallas trade him, but they also tried to assassinate his character on his way out with talks regarding his subpar physical conditioning. It was something that Beasley certainly took offense with.
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“It’s like, when I’m scoring 50, tell me then to get in shape,” the “Walking Bucket” stressed. “The second I get a turnover, or the second I don’t win one of the games that you clearly been paying me — now I’m out of shape?”
“That s**t messes up the players’ money. And the organizations know what they’re doing. That’s not fair,” he added.
With the Lakers’ offseason starting earlier than they would have liked, it seems like Doncic has not wasted any time getting to work. He recently attended a basketball game of his former team, Real Madrid, and looked to be in great shape. While there is no doubt that “Luka Magic” has natural talent, his dedication to staying fit and improving his game only bodes well for him and the Lakers moving forward.