The next step in the evolution of the Dallas Mavericks has been a subject of discussion in NBA circles from basketball people and fans themselves. With a young player and bonfide stud in Luka Doncic and solid complimentary players such as Tim Hardaway Jr and even the disgruntled Kristaps Porzingis( when he can remain healthy), the Mavericks would seem to be poised to be contenders for years to come. However could some discourse be brewing in Dallas? Perhaps there was a reason to Porzingis’ reported unhappiness with the team.
Below is an article from our friends at Eurohoops.net on Luka being “difficult” to play with.
By Eurohoops team at Eurohoops.net / info@eurohoops.net
While Dallas has a new coach after hiring Jason Kidd and a new GM in former Nike executive Nico Harrison, the centerpiece of the franchise remains Luka Doncic and it seems he has acquired a reputation for being a “difficult person”.
While the smiling image of the Slovenian boy-wonder on the court does not fit this scenario, things might be different behind the scenes.
“I don’t know how many people are going to be excited to play with Luka,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said during an interview with Shan and RJ on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM] Monday. “I think Luka is, maybe, a difficult person. He’s a great player, but when you watch the Mavericksplay, he’s barking at the coach, he’s barking at his teammates, he’s barking at the officials. He’s always barking about something. He can really be an irritable guy”.
This comment comes on the heels of the revamp of the Dallas front office, while the team is expected to re-sign Doncic to a maximum contract and also explore ways to improve its roster.
In the past, there have been reports of a troubled relationship between Kristaps Porzingis and Doncic, however, the Latvian forward himself dismissed them.
And after all, Doncic being demanding from his teammates means only that he is focused on winning, bringing on the championship mentality he acquired in Europe with Real Madrid to the NBA
