By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
At 18 years of age he’s the youngest player of the EuroLeague Final Four. Few months ago he wasn’t even allowed to drive a car actually, although that didn’t stop him from winning weekly MVP honors numerous times.
He’s also one of the ballers directly under the spotlight during the weekend. Everyone will be waiting with baited breath to see how the absolute wunderkid of European basketball, Luka Doncic, is going to respond in the challenge that is the Final Four.
“It’ great to be here. A dream come true,” Doncic told Eurohoops. “When I was a little kid, I was watching EuroLeague all the time and thought of being here. So it’s like a dream come true.”
The 18-year-old point forward is not “just here”. He’s in Istanbul as a pivotal member of Real Madrid. An integral character and definitely a factor to which coach Pablo Laso depends upon for winning the illustrious “decima”. The tenth European championship in the history of the franchise.
“It’s pretty much amazing,” said Doncic. “Two years ago I was playing in the ANGT (Adidas Next Generation Tournament. It’s an amazing feeling to play with such great players now.”
Luka shares the locker room with some exceptional players indeed. Euroleague stars like Sergio Llull or Rudy Fernandez, decorated veterans the likes of Anders Nocioni and Felipe Reyes. Meanwhile, he has faced the elite of European basketball in the most competitive level outside of the NBA. And in the meantime, his own performances inevitably bring to mind not just “great” players but even mighty legends of old.
You’ve read his name in the same sentence with names such as “Toni Kukoc” or “Dejan Bodiroga”. And maybe you’ve thought of it as something blasphemous… sacrilegious even.
Can’t blame you.
But as you begin to closely notice the versatility of his modus operandi, the phenomenal feel and understanding he carries for the game and the way he funnels that high-level perception through his actions on the floor, you might also find yourself effortlessly drawing some of the aforementioned parallels with historic figures of the game.
“It’s incredible,” Doncic answered when Eurohoops asked him how he feels about his name appearing next to such historic luminaries of the sport. “When people compare you with these legends of basketball it feels absolutely amazing. But what do I think of it? What do I always say? I’m Luka. I’m myself and I play different. Still, the feeling is amazing”
He’s right of course. It’s his own style, his own way of handling things and his own brand of basketball that have been mesmerizing everyone this EuroLeague season. And it’s Luka’s own input that has attracted heavy attention from the NBA.
“I think this amazing”, Doncic told Eurohoops. “Everybody from a little kid wants to play in the NBA. But I’m really happy where I am now, with Real Madrid. They’ve given me everything since I was a kid. I’m really happy here.”
“But I don’t think about it [NBA] much”, he added. “I don’t think about my future. I’m fully concentrated on Real Madrid.”
When Sergio Rodriguez left Real Madrid last summer to join the Philadelphia 76ers, the “Blancos” didn’t sign a playmaker of similar style or characteristics to replace him. And they found themselves lacking one of the last floor-generals remaining in the continent.
Instead of acquiring someone to do what Chacho did, head coach Pablo Laso decided to move with the players he had in his disposal. Among them, Luka Doncic, 17 years old back then, being now trusted to deliver full-time.
As the season progressed, his playing time and duties began getting increased. He started assuming more and more responsibilities and proceeded to excel on them in such an effective, game-winning manner that would make even successfull seasoned veterans blush.
“From a little kid I liked to take responsibilities on the floor. I liked having the ball on my hand and do things. But these responsibilities come with working hard all the time. And learning. I’m learning from some of the best players in Europe every day in practice.”
And here we are in the Final Four with Real Madrid facing Fenerbahce in the semifinal. How does Doncic feels about his opponent? “They have amazing players. They have amazing players. Bobby Dixon, Bogdan Bogdanovic. The two towers, Ekpe Udoh and Jan Vesely. Who can’t forget about the coach? Zeljko Obradovic is a legend of basketball. It’s going to be a really hard game.”