Luka Doncic “out to hurt people’s feelings”

Luka Doncic faces the Dallas Mavericks for the first time since his shock trade to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday (February 25). And plenty, perhaps himself included, feel he has a point to prove against his former team.

To the disbelief of most in NBA circles, it was widely reported that Dallas General Manager Nico Harrison was the man who instigated the trade, which saw Anthony Davis and Max Christie also move to Texas, and Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to LA.

The Mavs had supposedly been concerned by Doncic’s fitness, weight and conditioning issues, with Harrison believing the Slovenian’s defensive deficiencies would prevent them from achieving their ultimate goal of winning the NBA championship. Dallas reached the NBA Finals last year, but were well beaten by the Boston Celtics.

Tuesday’s game is an almost immediate opportunity for Doncic to bite back and the general belief is that the nature of his departure means he will be extra motivated to put his former teammates to the sword.

Doncic extra motivated after Dallas leaks

NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith is one man who is in that camp. “This is the first time he’s seeing them since it happened. (Mavs coach) Jason Kidd is going to be in the building. Nico Harrison is going to be in the building. He hasn’t since them face to face. I think when you see them, and you look over at them, he ain’t waiting until he gets to Dallas. I think he’s going to come out there tonight and look to hurt people’s feelings”.

Similarly, ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin has claimed “a beast was awakened inside” Doncic after news of the Mavs’ concern about his conditioning was leaked.

Ominous signs for Mavericks

The signs certainly look ominous for Dallas. Upon his return from a calf injury, the Slovenian made a relatively low-key start to his time alongside LeBron James with the Lakers, averaging fewer than 15 points per game in his first three appearances.

However, after sitting out the win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Doncic hit his stride in Saturday’s victory against the Denver Nuggets, recording 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Doncic to “scorch the earth” against the Mavs in Dallas

Smith’s fellow NBA analyst Timothy Legler, though, thinks the five-time NBA All-Star will wait until he faces the Mavericks in Dallas on April 9 to really stick it to them.

“Luka doesn’t really want it to be this game (on Tuesday). He’s going to pour the gasoline in this game, he’s going to light the match in April, when they go to Dallas. And Anthony Davis is on the floor. And Nico Harrison is in the building. That’s the night that Luka Doncic is going to want to go and scorch the earth, and drop 50, 60, whatever it may be”.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.