According to a recent piece in the Denver Post, JJ Redick had a unique challenge for Luka Doncic when the team went to Denver. It wasn’t just about the numbers; it was emotional. Redick was sure that once Luka tapped into his feelings, his performance would reflect the change.
"I’d love to see him have a moment where he just lets loose and yells in excitement, even if it’s at nothing or no one in particular. That’s when I’ll know he’s truly back to his old self," remarked the rookie Lakers coach on Saturday ahead of their matchup against the Nuggets. "That’s the Luka I’m familiar with—the unstoppable force."
What is Luka bouncing back from, you might wonder? Well, there’s his recent calf injury for starters, but there’s also the heavy weight of being traded from a place he once imagined spending his entire career. The basketball community is still digesting the fact that Luka is donning a Lakers jersey; it’s not every day a team parts with a 25-year-old player who was expected to be their franchise star.
During this transition, Luka hasn’t quite been performing at his usual level. Saturday, however, was a different story. He turned things around big time—scoring 32 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing out seven assists, and snagging four steals. It was a standout performance that played a big part in the Lakers’ decisive 123-100 victory at Ball Arena.
This impressive showing hints that Luka is finding his footing again, both mentally and physically. As the season progresses, fans are hopeful to see more of these electrifying performances from the Slovenian guard.
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