Luka Doncic and Slovenia may have failed in EuroBasket 2025, getting contented to a quarterfinals finish but his performance there should be enough for the Los Angeles Lakers fans to feel excited about the new season.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka looked back at the five-time All-Star’s display of brilliance in the European tournament and used it as a preview of what to expect from the Slovenian on his second year wearing purple and gold.
“Luka’s play in EuroBasket made it clear to the entire basketball world that he’s on that incredibly short list of ‘best player on the planet’ candidates, if not at the top,” Pelinka said in an interview with ESPN.
The consensus top players in the league right now are Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee Bucks and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Doncic’s name is also being thrown there even when he was still with the Dallas Mavericks. 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of 2025 champions Oklahoma City Thunder is also on the mix.
Doncic emerge as among strong contenders for MVP award because of his body transformation.
Pelinka thinks Luka Doncic’s leadership also got honed
Lebron James is still the leader of the Lakers heading into the new season but he might share that role now with Doncic.
Pelinka thinks the 26-year-old spending the summer for Slovenia will also be helpful for them. This is why he is supportive of his player’s decision to represent his country in EuroBasket.
“Players playing basketball in the offseason is something that, from a leadership standpoint, I support,” Pelinka said.
He also did not mind the injury risk that might come with it.
“There’s risks in over-individualized training and wearing muscles down that way, or joints down that way. Luka’s incredibly thoughtful about how he approaches his way to improve as a basketball player. And I think you can tell he is the highest form of himself when he is in a competitive environment. That’s just what animates him.”
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