LUka Doncic (Ljubljana 1999) walks through Paris like a hero. He really is a hero anywhere there’s basketball. And more basketball than in the capital of France this past weekend there has been nowhere. Paris has once again hosted Quai 54, the biggest Streetball event in the world, in which the star of the Mavericks has been the main attraction.
First because he paralyzed the championship with his presence on Saturday. Then because he risked being an ‘obstacle’ in the math contest. And finally because he presented the Luka 1 for Europe, the revolutionary sneakers that are his first major project within the Jordan Brand.
Doncic, shortly before leaving for Croatia to enjoy a well-deserved two-week vacation, took a mass bath in the City of Light. Between event and event he had time to attend Marca exclusively, hand in hand with Nike, and talk about the NBA season, the Eurobasket and the tribulations at Real Madrid.
QUESTION. The season in Dallas hasn’t been bad at all. Did you expect to make it to the conference finals?
RESPONSE. We had expectations at the beginning because you always play to get as far as possible. The truth is that we have had a very good season.
Q. Does this year’s success require you to fight for something else next season?
R. That always. I always want more, I want to win the ring and I hope I get it. Every season I start, my goal is to win the ring.
I always want more, I want to win the ring and I hope I get it. Every season I start, my goal is to win the ring
P. For this season you have lost Jalen Brunson and JaVale McGee arrives but what else does Dallas need to try to take another step?
A. Well, the market is just beginning and I hope the Dallas bosses have more options to sign. Let’s see what they do.
P. Do you think that in the Mavericks you can win the ring or would you be willing to change and look for it elsewhere?
R. I do not plan to change, my goal is to stay and win it in Dallas. Although of course, in the future you never know, but my idea and I hope I succeed, is to win in Dallas.
Q. Have you been in the debates about the MVP Winning that award is something you have in mind?
R. Well, that is a goal that every player who comes to the NBA has. Being an NBA MVP is something that not everyone can say. Of course I don’t change it for the ring, but if I can win the MVP it will be incredible.
P. For you it has not been an easy season, between the injuries and the criticisms you had for your supposed poor form. How did you take it?
R. It has been a tough season, because we started with the Olympic Games and there is still the European. The criticism, the truth is that they do not affect me or matter much. I play my game, so I don’t pay much attention to the noise.
The criticism, the truth is that they do not affect me or matter much. I play my game, so I don’t pay much attention to the noise
P. Have the Warriors been the just winners of the NBA?
R. Yes, absolutely. I think they have been the best team of all. Against us they played very well and deserved to win. And against the Boston Celtics, they deserved to win, too.
Q. Do we have hegemony in sight or can someone dethrone them?
R. They have a great team and they will always be dangerous.
P. Which player do you think is the one that has best defended you?
R. More than individual players, when they defend as a team it is much more difficult for me.
Who has defended me better? More than individual players, when they defend as a team it is much more difficult for me
P. Almost every game you play breaks a record in the League. Do you have in mind all that you achieve and what you can achieve?
R. The subject of records is not something that obsesses or attracts me. Rather what I seek is to win.
Q. In the NBA, the subject of individual statistics has always been very important to summarize a player’s career.
A. Well, I think they pay more attention to the rings and what you have won. Records are fine, but winning is the most important thing.
In the NBA they pay more attention to the rings and what you have won. Records are fine, but winning is the most important thing
Q. There are more and more European and international players dominating the NBA. Is that already a clear trend?
R. I think European basketball is only growing, so I think there will be more and more important players from Europe in the NBA.
Q. What do you think of the Laso case at Real Madrid?
R. I can not understand what has happened. Pablo is a great coach and an excellent person. I think he shouldn’t have been like that.
P. Do you consider his dismissal unfair?
R. Yes, yes, of course. There are many people who think that way because of everything Pablo has given for Madrid after 11 seasons. I think he is the best coach Madrid has ever had, for sure.
P. And how do you think Chus Mateo, who you also know, will do?
R. I think it will go very well. He’s a great guy and he’s going to be fine.
P. Usman Garuba said, referring to you, that there was no other madridista than him. What does he tell you?
A. I don’t think he’s more of a madridista than me, for sure.
Laso shouldn’t have been like that, it was unfair. He is the best coach that Madrid has had, for sure
Q. What is coming up now is the Eurobasket. What did you think when you found out that Goran Dragic was coming back?
A. I already knew I was going to be back for the World Cup Qualifying Windows matches. Now we have to see the final list for the European.
Q. Is Slovenia the team to beat in the Eurobasket as current champion?
R. I think there are many teams with a high level, with great players, so it is a short championship and anything can happen. It’s going to be very difficult.
P. And how do you see the Spanish team?
R. Spain is in full generational renewal. We come from having incredible players like Ricky, Chacho, the two Gasols, Felipe Reyes and there was also Llull and Rudy. Many of them are gone and a new generation is entering. And there are very good players, so you shouldn’t worry.
Q. And do you consider Spain a rival for Slovenia in the Eurobasket?
R. Yes, but there are others like Serbia, France, Lithuania, Greece… there are many. Our group, for example, is very dangerous.
Q. Will you continue playing with Slovenia in the future?
R.S, without a doubt. When I can, play as many competitions as I can with Slovenia.
Spain is in full renovation. A new generation is coming in and there are very good players, so you shouldn’t worry
Q. What do you think of Quia 54? He had been before?
R. Well, I knew him a little but had never been here. I think it’s phenomenal, there are a lot of people, you can see that it’s a very good crowd and I really like the experience.
Q. Tell me about your sneakers. Nike has given us the opportunity to test them and I have to say that they are extraordinary…
R. You were going to say motherfucking (laughs).
Q. And how has the project to create them gone? Have you been very involved?
R. It is a very long project to design and create the shoe, but I have been very involved in all the details, the colors, the materials, the design. I have been very involved from the beginning.
P. And it weighs a lot to be the image of a brand like Jordan Brand?
A. It does not weigh. It’s actually an honor to be here with Jordan Brand. MJ has been the best, so it’s a privilege for me.
It is an honor to be here with Jordan Brand. MJ has been the best, so it’s a privilege for me
Q. One last thing about cycling, now that the Tour is entering its decisive moment. How Slovenian is it from Pogacar or from Roglic?
R. Of both.
Q. Choose one.
A. I can’t. Of the two.
