While Luka Doncic is the NBA’s current scoring leader, averaging 33.2 points per game, his poor body language and constant complaints to referees have cost his team momentum many times.
Despite his remarkable talent, this is an area many believe Doncic needs to work on if he wants to elevate his game to the next level.
What exactly did coach Kidd say?
The Dallas Mavericks suffered a devastating loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, blowing a 27-point lead. The team’s superstar Luka Doncic was visibly upset after the game, as was their coach, Jason Kidd.
In his post-game press conference, Kidd called out the team’s performance, stating that it was clear they still have a lot of work to do to be considered championship contenders.
Addressing the court composure of Luka Doncic, coach Kidd said, “I’m not the savior here… I’m watching; I’m not playing; I’m watching just like you guys. Us as a team, we have to mature… We have to grow up if we want to win a championship.”
What was Luka Doncic’s Reaction?
Doncic was informed of Kidd’s comments during his own press conference and acknowledged that he needs to improve his behavior on the court. The NBA’s current scoring leader accepted that he has to stop complaining about the officiating and admitted that he needs to mature as a player. Although he did not elaborate on his answer, it was clear that he understood where his coach was coming from.
Mavericks' Luka Doncic on Jason Kidd calling for greater maturity amid distractions by officiating:
"It's probably true. That's it." pic.twitter.com/9EIwpDAwZz
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 27, 2023
However, this isn’t the first time he said he’d change. In 2022, he deemed his actions as “unacceptable” and vowed to make a change. He recently reflected on his past behavior and admitted that he had a talk with himself, realizing that it was a “really bad look” and that he needed to improve.
While Doncic has made progress, he still falls back into old habits when he gets frustrated on the court. Controlling his emotions and body language is essential if the Mavericks want to become “the best of the best. Doncic’s incredible talent is undeniable, but his behavior must match his skills if he wants to reach his full potential.
With the arrival of Kyrie Irving as his co-star, Doncic has an opportunity to take his game to the next level and lead the Mavericks to greatness. But as Coach Kidd rightly points out, “we’ve got to grow up.”
