By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is confident in the strength of his team’s roster and believes that the addition of another big name isn’t necessary to compete for a ring.
Doncic was interviewed on ESPN’s NBA Today by Malika Andrews and was asked if the Mavericks need another All-Star player to become serious contenders. “No,” he replied. “We have great players on our team. There are plenty of very underrated guys that I think should be talked about more. So I don’t think so. I think we have a great team.”
“For sure, No. 1 is Dorian Finney-Smith,” Doncic after being prompted to mention some of these players. “He’s one of the best defensive guys. And if he’s open he’s going to make the shot. Spencer [Dinwiddie] is going to have a big role this year. Christian Wood is a new player in Dallas but I think he’s going to be huge for us.”
Regarding what his expectations are for 2022-23 and whether it’s a “championship or bust” season, Doncic mentioned that the initial goal is going one step further than last season: The Finals.
“My expectation is to make it to the Finals first of all,” Doncic said. “I know it’s going to be really – really hard. But we got to believe. Everybody’s got to believe it and if the whole team believes it can probably happen. But it’s going to be really hard.”
Doncic also referred to Slovenia falling victim to a major upset at the hands of Poland in the EuroBasket quarterfinals and failing to even contend for a medal.
“It was a really hard loss for us,” Doncic said. “Poland played great. They had an amazing game. We just weren’t there. We didn’t compete as we should and we know, but Poland had an amazing match, they prepared really good. I think in this tournament, I learned a lot. The teams were amazing. A lot of great teams and great players. Another experience. It was awesome.”
“Being a leader, helping others. I learned a lot of new things. The way I should act, the way I shouldn’t act. As a leader, I learned a lot of things.”