Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks’ star player, has seamlessly adapted to the NBA since his move from Europe in 2018. However, his candid take on European vs NBA Basketball. Luka believes that European basketball places a greater emphasis on teamwork compared to the NBA.
Since his arrival at the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, Luka Doncic has made a smooth transition from European to NBA basketball. In his first five seasons with the Mavericks, he has averaged 27.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in 330 career games. While he has adjusted well to the NBA game, Doncic contends that it may not necessarily be the ideal way to play.
European vs NBA Basketball
During a press conference, Doncic shared his perspective before a preseason game where the Mavs faced his former club, Real Madrid, ultimately losing 127-123. He noted the distinctions between the two styles of play.
In Europe, the court is wider, and the 3-point line is farther from the basket. Doncic’s viewpoint is that European basketball promotes more cohesive team play, even with fewer minutes per game. In his opinion, plays are a critical aspect of the European style. He believes that the NBA features fewer structured plays, underscoring the importance of teamwork in European basketball.
Doncic’s insights align with the observation that the NBA has seen a trend towards more isolation plays, with fewer creative plays being called during games. Changing this dynamic requires effort from both players and coaches.
With valuable additions like Dereck Lively II, Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and Derrick Jones Jr., the responsibility falls on head coach Jason Kidd to infuse more creativity into the team’s offensive strategies. Doncic’s role is crucial in effectively utilizing this approach.
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