Luka Doncic’s chronic thigh ailment from last season has caused concern in the Dallas camp after his recent appearances in the FIBA World Cup with Slovenia. Coach Jason Kidd made the comment as the Mavericks prepare to open training camp on September 27.
“I think hopefully, as we go forward here, that he will be ready to go,” he told insider Marc Stein. I’m willing to bet that none of us is always at our professional best. Perhaps we’re at or near 100%. Anyone would tell you that the more games you play, the longer your career will be. Nobody is ever completely healthy.
The Mavs coach realized he couldn’t put all the weight on Doncic’s shoulders and instead had to rely on the rest of his team.
Based on the current personnel, “I’m hoping we don’t have to play him 40 or more minutes per night,” Kidd said confidently. I thought Nico [Harrison] did an amazing job this summer with the depth we have, but I’m happy with Luka and Kyrie Irving and having Luka ready to play and achieve his ambitions, which is to win a championship.
Luka’s revelation of thigh issues and worries came shortly after Slovenia was ousted from the previous international championship by a 100-84 loss to Lithuania. He remarked, “It’s not okay,” following the game.
He wasn’t feeling great, but he played 37 minutes despite that after having played 38 against Italy the night before. I’m at a loss for words. We can’t have that. Also,” he admitted, “I have to get ready for one more game and then for a complete season in the NBA.
On October 25, the entire basketball world will be watching as the Dallas Mavericks, with No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama making his debut, open their NBA season at home against the San Antonio Spurs.
The rookie duo of Dereck Livelly II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper have been lauded by their head coach for the Texas Legends, who calls them “gym rats.”
There is much excitement among Dallas Cowboys supporters as training camp opens on Wednesday. There has been much speculation about the pair’s potential as rookies ever since it was announced that Doncic would be playing alongside Kyrie Irving to begin the season.
Coach Jordan Sears of the Texas Legends believes that Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper have proven themselves to be NBA caliber players during the summer practices.
The two teams have been close friends since the summer league. Because they’ve been consistently dedicating themselves to their work and attending the gym every week. It’s rare to encounter guys with such genuine curiosity and dedication to studying. You have two of the most talented young men in that field, in my opinion. They have a sensible attitude to day-to-day life, and they know how little they know.
Lively thinks the 19-year-old power forward has a high basketball IQ in addition to his remarkable athletic talent.
“I know everybody’s talked about his defense, and obviously he has the size, the mobility, and the athleticism to do all of those things,” Sears said. To paraphrase one basketball coach: “I think for a big, you try to keep the game simple for them in terms of screening angles, rolling to the rim, putting pressure on the rim, finishing around the rim, and protecting the rim conversely on the defensive side of the ball, [and] being able to communicate your pick-and-roll coverages.”