Stephen A. Smith pumps brakes on excitement about 'skinny Luka' Doncic
But in the end, the proof is in the pudding, and what matters is how well he plays and performs. ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith downplayed Doncic's new physique and pointed out that Doncic still has a long way to go before he can be proclaimed new and improved.
'No,' Smith said when asked if the NBA should be scared of a fitter Doncic. 'Not any more scared than they already are. The brother is phenomenal as an offensive talent, no doubt about this.
'But there's a difference between getting in shape in the offseason and staying in shape during the season, and that's something we have to monitor moving forward. The conditioning is obviously imperative, but does that mean you're going to move without the ball instead of standing around and receive it? Does it mean that you're going to up your efforts continuously on the defensive side of the ball? That's where it's going to really, really show.'
Staying in shape during the long NBA season partly involves sticking to a healthy diet, something that isn't easy when one is practically living out of suitcases in hotel after hotel. There is also the matter of staying motivated and passionate through the inevitable ups and downs of a season.
Doncic has already been considered by many to be one of the three to five best basketball players in the world over the last few years. If he maintains his newfound fitness, he could have at least one true MVP-level season ahead of him, but it remains to be seen how he actually does, especially on the defensive end, which has been a festering weakness for him.
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