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| bodhisattva's Most Liked Post |
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| RE: HALLELUKA: All Things Doncic | signed 5 yr/$207M extension w/ player option |
12-29-2021, 08:29 PM |
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| HALLELUKA: Luka Clinches All-NBA 1st team. 4th in 5 years |
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Dallas Mavericks and the NBA
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| I am writing this post as a response to post above but also as a random comment about international competitions (Eurobasket/Olympics, WC).
Its gonna be long, but bare with me. First I would like to state chicagojk is probably right in his assessment that long summer did more bad than good for Dončič. I agree here. Initially I tought it will do him good, since one summer earlier, there were no summer competitions, but kid still came in even more out of shape than this year. Turns out it didnt, and he still manged to get porky, despite having only 3 weeks off. This said, I can only conclude, he is immature kid, who does/eats what he wants and thinks he can get away with it. I dont blame him, since I was the same at 22 (I mean at that stage you think you are immortal, lets be honest). And hes good enough to get away with it.
Here lies the problem...hes good enough...In my opinion in a few years, when he is 24, 25, 26 light bulb will eventually light up, that if he really wants to be one of the best he will have to sort himself out. There will be one summer when he eventually puts everything together, and comes in ready to take it all. We see this every season in a few players, when they put it all together, and come out ready to take what belongs to them. I am a big believer, this will happen eventually and I am really looking forward to that season. I just dont know when it will come. It depends on Luka, and what is in his head.
At this point we return back to this summer and a tale of two players. One is Jokič, and the other is Dončič. Jokič took summer off, decided to not play for Serbia. Also put a lot of work in in the previous summer. Results are there for all to see I think. Won MVP last season, and is more than amazing in current one. But he is also 4 years older. Was referred to as fat/below his potential before etc... I think you all can see where this is going. I find them similar players with similar trajectory. That is why I expect Luka to "explode" in a similar manner in the next 2,3 years.
Now, all this said, we arrive at the point I really wanted to make when I started on this post. So if this is too long, please at least read this last part.
Its basically about perception/fandom in Europe, which I feel many Americans dont get. Dont wanna sound, like some entitled Euro just bare with me.
See in Europe national team is about tribe, pride etc. Its hard to get in this kinde of mode if you have population of 300 mil, and are expected to win anywhere you show up. While for example missing Dončič or Jokič can be the difference between winning it all or maybe not even making it trough qualifiers. Here is where it gets complicated. See, Dončič came, got us to Olympics and almost got us a medal. Jokič on the other hand didnt show up, Serbia didnt make Olympics.
Boys, if I could past you the comments of hate that Jokič gets on Serbian sites. Its along the ways "oh you got TD for Denver, but could not show up when it mattered", "all about the money", "more interested in horses than Serbia" etc. Its very real. While just months before they were watching and celebrating every damn play he made. Dončič on the other hand is almost a national hero at this point. But the ugly truth is he would get the same treatment if he would choose to snub the national team. We had a guy like this in the 2000s in Beno Udrih (role player for Spurs). Never showed up for NT. Made him basically persona non grata in Slovenia. Exaggerating, but only a little bit. It still goes on to his day. He is retired, but gets brought up in conversations as traitor etc.. And this are the questions that arise before every major national team competition. To keep it short it boils down to: " are you gonna show up for your country or will you chose the money?". You dont have to show up, for every single one. Fans are not stupid, they get that players are paid by clubs. They understand if a good player is trying to improve his career odds by taking one, or two off. But take one too may, or at the time we need you the most and the hate gets very real, very quick.
Hope some other Euro posters can back me on this. I can speak for Balkans, but I am pretty sure its the same in France, Spain, etc... too.
Here is the bad news. Next summer there is an Eurobasket. Dončič promised he will come. I was shocked, and will believe it when it happens. It made sense to go for Olympics. It was our first. Eurobasket is not that big of a deal, but we are the defending champions. It would be quite possible, that he chooses to take the summer off. He has so much credit already, that honestly, you couldnt blame a guy. On the other hand if he shows up (like he promised), his status as the one is cemented, and he will be free to take one or two NT competitions (summers) off in the future. And on this point I return to my theory stated above. I expect him to take over in either 23/24 or 24/25 season.
Wrote a damn book. Hope someone reads it. |
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