05-27-2022, 10:07 AM
(05-27-2022, 08:42 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: Luka definitely treats the NBA like one of multiple obligations, like he’s a tennis or golf player, instead of like his main job. I don’t know if that says something about him or about the gradually declining importance of the NBA relative to international ball. Note: it’s not that the NBA is declining in absolute terms, it’s ascending. But, international basketball has been ascending faster, catching up with the US league. It is what it is. Luka may not be able to use the off-season to get better at three point or free throw shooting, which he really needs to do. But he can still get in shape.I agree with the getting in shape comments. I also agree it will be difficult to train physically while playing competitively.
Also, the international schedule is shifted so that NBA players can participate while honoring their league contract obligations, witness all the qualifications and tournaments happening during the off season.
That said, Luka has to be highly visible in Slovenia (whose entire population is less than Dallas) and I can't imagine the crap he would get if he didn't play on the national team. Especially in defense of a previous title.
What I would like to see is for DAL to support the face of the franchise by getting him some offseason assistance with diet and nutrition while maybe finding ways to help him train for physical improvement. Provide him with an offseason staff so he can both play internationally and prepare for the next NBA grind.