Luka Doncic, the superstar of the Dallas Mavericks, transitioned seamlessly from European basketball to the NBA in 2018. However, he recently shared his perspective on the distinct styles of play in the two leagues.

 

Doncic’s stats speak for themselves, as he has averaged 27.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists over 330 career games during his first five seasons with the Mavericks. Yet, in a press conference ahead of a preseason matchup against his former team, Real Madrid, Doncic pointed out the differences between European and NBA basketball.

 

“In the end, you have a wider court, and the 3-point line is further away. But I think that in Europe, you play more as a team, that is, in fewer minutes, you play more as a team. The plays are very important. I think there are not many plays in the NBA, so team basketball is very important,” Doncic explained.

 

Doncic’s observation holds some truth. While the NBA often features a fair share of pick-and-rolls and isolation plays, creative plays designed for team coordination are less common. However, he emphasized that for a change in playing style to occur, both players and coaches must put in the effort.

 

With the Dallas Mavericks assembling a strong lineup, including Dereck Lively II, Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and Derrick Jones Jr., it is crucial for head coach Jason Kidd to introduce more creativity into the team’s offensive strategies. Luka Doncic, with his exceptional skills, will play a key role in making the most of these creative plays.