Luka Doncic Claps Back At Past Fitness Critics: "I Was Still A Pretty Good Player"
Luka Doncic has heard the noise, but he's no longer letting it define him. After years of catching flak for his conditioning and focus, the 26-year-old superstar is embracing a new chapter in his career. In a recent interview, Doncic acknowledged the criticism but made it clear that he's never lost confidence in his game, even at his so-called 'worst.' For Luka, this summer wasn't about proving doubters wrong; it was about evolving into the version of himself that can carry the Lakers into a new era.
'Honestly, I try not to read much into it,' Doncic said on the TODAY Show. 'I still think I was a pretty good basketball player back then, no matter what people say. But I think it was the next step of my career, and in the end, I'm still 26 and I have a long way to go.'
For Doncic, his career hit a low point back in February, when he was traded from the Mavericks in a shocking turn of events. Even at his 'worst,' Doncic remained one of the league's most dominant players with career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game on 43.8% shooting. The justification for the deal was poor conditioning and work ethic from Doncic, whose flaws were exposed under the spotlight of the 2024 NBA Finals. It all led up to the Mavericks trading him last season in a deal for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
The move inspired Luka to get his act together, and what followed was a total physical and mental reset, one that's already drawing rave reviews around the league and setting the stage for a career-defining season in Los Angeles.
According to the latest sightings, Doncic is in the best shape of his life thanks to a new training and diet regimen that has kept his body in peak condition. He's also been working closely with the Lakers all summer long to ensure a seamless transition next season with LeBron James and a revamped roster.
As it stands, Doncic is set up to take revenge on the Mavericks and make them regret letting him go. Of course, he was still pretty good without this extra work. As a 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA player, and 1x scoring champion, he's already accomplished more than most players, and the Mavericks will never get to know what they could have won with a few more years of his leadership.
In the end, Luka Doncic clearly isn't just looking for redemption; he's building a legacy. The pressure in Los Angeles is unlike anything he's faced before, but this version of Luka seems ready for it. With a new body, a sharpened mindset, and a chip on his shoulder, Doncic has turned the page. If he delivers, the Lakers will have more than just a superstar, they'll have their next great leader and someone who can join the ranks of countless legends who came before him.
If the Mavericks start to fall in the process? It might just make his revenge tour all the sweeter.This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lakers jersey history No. 2 — Wayne Ellington
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary. As the Lakers approach their 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years. Advertisement Let's take a look at Wayne Ellington, a sharpshooter who had two separate stints with the Lakers. After spending three years at the University of North Carolina, Ellington was the No. 28 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The shooting guard played his first three seasons in Minnesota, and after brief stints with the Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks, he came to the Lakers for the 2014-15 season. That season, he started 36 of 65 games and averaged 10.0 points a game while shooting 37% from 3-point range. Ellington bounced around the league in subsequent years before returning to the Purple and Gold in 2021. During the 2021-22 campaign, his last in the NBA, he contributed 6.7 points in 18.8 minutes a game and made 38.9% of his 3-point attempts. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 2 — Wayne Ellington
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Aaron Judge strikes out twice in return from IL, Yankees shut out by Rangers for fifth straight loss
Aaron Judge returned to the New York Yankees Tuesday from a 10-game stint on the injured list. His presence didn't shift the fortunes of a faltering Yankees team. Judge struck out in his first two at-bats and went 0 for 3 at the plate against a sensational effort from Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi. Texas broke a scoreless tie in the eighth inning to spoil a combined shutout by Yankees pitchers before closer Devin Williams gave up the only runs of the game. Newly acquired reliever Phil Maton held on in the top of the ninth for a 2-0 Texas win win. The loss for the Yankees is their fifth straight and drops them to 7-11 since the All-Star break. It put them at further risk of falling out of the AL playoff picture at 60-54. And it was a microcosm of the problems that have plagued them as they've posted an 18-29 record since the middle of June. New York's vaunted lineup has taken a step back during the slump. It started before Judge went on the injure list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. The Yankees hoped the two-time MVP could provide a spark amid a losing streak. But Eovaldi was in charge Tuesday night. Eovaldi worked Judge to a 1-2 count in the first inning in Judge's first at-bat since June 25. Then he got Judge swinging on a splitter over the plate that dipped below the zone. Judge's second at-bat brought more of the same. Eovaldi worked a 1-2 count with two fastballs and a sweeping curveball that induced a swing-and-miss for strike two. Judge then swung again at a third-strike sinker that dipped below his knees. Judge grounded out in his third at-bat, and his teammates didn't fare much better as Eovaldi pitched eight shutout innings with six striketouts to lower his season-long ERA to 1.38. This story will be updated.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wings guard Paige Bueckers says she has a pulled back muscle and will take it 'day to day'
NEW YORK (AP) — Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers said Tuesday night she thinks she has a pulled back muscle and will be taking 'day to day.' Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the draft, left Tuesday night's game against the New York Liberty with 2:37 left in the third quarter and went to the locker room with tightness in her back. She said she stretched the back and received a massage gun treatment before returning to the bench at the start of the fourth and playing in the final period. She finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists in an 85-76 loss. 'I was just dribbling the ball and just felt a tightness come along,' she said of the moment of the strain. 'It's day to day. I'm hoping it won't take me out. Just get some treatment, get some rest. 'I think it's just a pulled muscle. I felt a strain, felt it tighten, so am just getting it worked out." Bueckers is averaging 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists in her rookie season. She leads a struggling Dallas team in points, assists, steals and blocks. ___ AP WNBA:
