Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Their biggest run together came in 2024, when the Mavs reached the NBA Finals before losing to the Boston Celtics in five games. Hardy appeared in all five games of the series. "Whenever I was playing alongside Luka, he used to always instill confidence into the young players, tell them to keep going," Hardy said. "That helped me a lot when I was a rookie." "And playing alongside him then in my second year, when we went to the Finals, he was big for me during that time and during that stretch," he added. "He was someone that I could lean on and talk to."
Before becoming an NBA superstar, Luka Doncic spent three full seasons experiencing the intensity of EuroLeague basketball with Real Madrid. Trips to Belgrade, Athens and Barcelona provided some of the loudest and most hostile environments of his career in Europe. Crvena Zvezda immediately came to mind when he was asked by SLAM to identify the most intimidating crowd he had faced, although his lifelong affection for the Serbian club made his visits there feel different. “I would probably say Red Star, but not for me. They liked me there, so not for me,” Doncic said.
“I don’t have a particularly high opinion of him. Perhaps the best illustration is that, after working with Jason Kidd for a year, I sat down with him and said, ‘Look, I have a history with Luka Doncic and I know him well, we’ve worked together before, and that can certainly help the team, but I am not here working for Luka Doncic, I am working for you, this is your team.’ However, he could never really get over it. It was something in his head, part of his personal issues, which I didn’t want to get involved in," Kokoskov added. "After that first year in Dallas, once the season wrapped up. I got a call from Steve Nash, inviting me to join Brooklyn. I remember thinking 'I was working for the worst guy in the NBA and now I have a call from best guy in the NBA.'"
For Igor Kokoskov, it took only two practices to understand that Luka Doncic was a rare talent. “It only takes two sessions, two practices with a guy like that, to realize what kind of generational talent you’re working with. His talent was so obvious, and he keeps growing with every passing year. He is a gem, a diamond, a gift from God.”
Kokoskov reunited with him in 2021 after joining Jason Kidd’s coaching staff in Dallas. His experience with the Mavericks coach, however, was not positive. “He was one of my favorite players and one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game. I loved the Princeton offense because of Jason Kidd. But Jason Kidd the player and Jason Kidd the coach and person are two completely different stories. I didn’t have a good experience with him, nor do I have a particularly high opinion of him off the court or as a head coach. And it’s fine for people to know that. That’s not just my opinion. He generally led some really gifted teams.”
Advertisement
He also described a conversation in which he tried to make it clear that his relationship with Doncic would not affect his loyalty to Kidd. “So, yeah, I don’t have a particularly high opinion of him. Perhaps the best illustration is that, after working with Jason Kidd for a year, I sat down with him and said: ‘Look, I have a history with Luka Doncic and I know him well. We’ve worked together before, and that can certainly help the team. But I am not here working for Luka Doncic. I am working for you. This is your team.’ However, he could never really get over it. It was something in his head, part of his personal issues, which I didn’t want to get involved in.”
Smith is expected to handle lead-guard responsibilities for Real Madrid, giving him an opportunity to play a much larger role for the EuroLeague club where Luka Doncic developed before entering the NBA. Smith celebrated the signing by posting a photo in his new uniform on Instagram, prompting several Lakers players to respond. Bronny James was among the first to congratulate him. “Damn thats fire bro be great!!!” James commented on Smith’s post. Adou Thiero offered his support as well, writing, “Get to it brudda,” while Jake LaRavia added, “Yea nick.”
At first, there were only rumors, then more tangible hints, until on June 25, Luka Dončić appeared in Rome and made it clear that he was part of the ownership or investment structure of BC Roma SPQR. This is a club that took over the competitive rights of Cremona, moved to the Italian capital and will compete in Serie A and the EuroCup in the new season. [....] However, everything indicates that the formation of the playing staff is not yet complete. According to Italian media, former German international and Dončić's long-time teammate in Dallas and Los Angeles, Maxi Kleber , is also in talks for a possible move to Rome.
NBA Trade Machine: De'Aaron Fox was part of 8.6% of the trades built on HoopsMatic over the past 24 hours. Of those trades, his top destinations were Minnesota (10.3%), LA Clippers (7.1%), and LA Lakers (6.3%). The most common players sent back for him were Luka Doncic (6.3%), Evan Mobley (6.3%), and Anthony Edwards (4.8%).
The basic "homework" task was to completely repair all injuries, and then complete physical training. Anže Maček , now Luka's long-time personal trainer, who also supports him in the USA, first in Dallas and then in Los Angeles, had the main say again. The first star of the LA Lakers has not been so physically prepared for a long time. His weight is also within the desired range, unofficially even at 105 kilograms. But the real test of the solidity of the laid foundations will be the coming weeks and months. Dončić, who has now increasingly turned over the direction of his life to his agent Lara Beth , is expected to remain in Europe until September 20. He will then move to Los Angeles. The LA Lakers will officially start preparations for the 2026/27 season on September 29, with a traditional media day organized the day before.
Advertisement
Fullcourtpass: Donald Trump — at a speech at the Mavericks’ American Airlines Center — spoke on them trading Luka Doncic “I don’t understand the trade… It’s not going to go down as the greatest trade in the history of sports. It might go down as the worst trade in the history of sports.”
The Lakers’ trip to Slovenia seemed to be more about building off-court camaraderie than actually basketball training, although the team did a fair share of both. What’s for sure is that the Lakers got to enjoy several intriguing off-court activities, including one night spent presumably partying at “a Ljubljana restaurant that also serves as a nightclub.” The Lakers’ roster knew what to do in Slovenia because of star guard Luka Dončić, who brought and hosted the team in his beloved home country.
