By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic spoke to the press for the first time in months before the NBA return later this July and he appeared hopeful for the season-finale tournament in Florida. And while several players chose to sit out the season finale, for Doncic that was not the case.
“I never hesitated. I missed basketball a lot, so I just wanted to play. There was no question about me. I always wanted to play”, he told the media on Thursday.
21-year-old Doncic then cleared up the misinterpretation of his trainer’s quotes last month about his physical shape following the quarantine. Jure Drasklar, his trainer in Dallas, stated that “he has not been in the best shape”, to which Doncic replied with the following:
“He said like “game shape”. That means like five-on-five. I saw it, but honestly, I just didn’t care much because I know what shape I’m in. I think I’m in good shape. I’ll just get better until the Orlando games start.”
Doncic also commented on the team’s chemistry and how they can restore it heading back to action for the season finale. “We have pretty good chemistry. We just didn’t play many games together. But it’s going to keep growing every game, every day, practicing and playing.”
When action returns, the stands will be empty, as games will be played behind closed doors, a weird feeling for Doncic as he explained. “Honestly, I don’t know because I’ve never experienced this thing. It’s going to be worst, for sure. I enjoy very much the fans in the gym. As our opponents are playing at our home, there’s always noise. It’s going to be weird, so I don’t know how I’m going to feel.”
Check out the press conference in full below: