Luka Doncic has quickly built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most dominant and creative offensive players, but the Los Angeles Lakers superstar recently revealed that his transition to the league was far from smooth.
Despite now owning five All-Star appearances, five All-NBA selections and a scoring title before turning 27, Doncic admitted he briefly questioned whether he belonged at basketball’s highest level.
The Slovenian phenom entered the NBA with significant expectations after starring professionally in Europe for Real Madrid. Doncic signed with the Spanish powerhouse at just 13 years old before developing into one of the most decorated teenage prospects in international basketball.
However, once he arrived in the NBA, the adjustment proved more difficult than he anticipated.
“I think I was like first five, six games, you know, I was kind of nervous,” Doncic admitted when reflecting on his rookie season. “Said like maybe this is not for me, cuz I — I wasn’t — like first five games, I think I was terrible.”
While Doncic was critical of his own performance, his debut numbers still showed flashes of potential.
He finished his first NBA game with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists but struggled to find rhythm offensively, 5-16 and committing four turnovers during a loss to the Phoenix Suns.
He explained that adapting to the overall talent and physical demands of the NBA was the biggest challenge after arriving from Europe.
“I would say two things the most. Like obviously, the talent. The talent is — it’s crazy in the NBA. And then the physicality,” Doncic said.
Doncic ultimately relied on confidence and familiarity with his style of play to overcome his early struggles.
“So, but then it was like just — I told myself, like, just remember how you play and you just translate your game from Europe to here,” he said. “And I always talk about having fun on court. Smiling. And that’s — that’s really true for me.”
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