By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite tremendous growth individually, Luka Doncic has fallen shy from extended postseason runs as the leader of the Dallas Mavericks so far in his NBA career. Over his three first seasons, he has also been reported as frustrated at the franchise. However, Sasha Doncic explained to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News that his son is just fine.
“More than happy,” he mentioned in the brief discussion ahead of the home loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday, “I saw his smile and I thought, ‘He’s satisfied,’. And me as a father, I’m the happiest man in the world when you see your child is happy.”
Had a nice chat with @luka7doncic’s father, Sasa, who is “more than happy” that Luka is a Maverick, especially because he’s getting to follow the same path as @swish41. pic.twitter.com/DGrDw4V1Jh
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) November 28, 2021
After the reported discontent regarding the hiring of Haralabos Voulgaris as the Director of Quantitative Research and Development early in his NBA career, he was upset due to the franchise decision to fire longtime general manager, Donnie Nelson, as noted in multiple reports over the offseason. His relationship with fellow European star Kristaps Porzingis has reportedly been another issue.
Doncic, 22, did ink a five-year, 207 million dollar contract entering the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season. The new and improved situation largely influenced by Jason Kidd taking over as the head coach, including enhanced Porzingis, has apparently kept him happy, as hinted by his father as well.
The Mavericks missed the 2019 Playoffs before being forced to first-round exits by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020 and 2021. The fourth run for the Slovenian superstar has started with averages of 25.5 points, 8.1 assists, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 steals per game over 15 appearances. Dallas at 10-8 sits fifth in the Western Conference standings.
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