We Got A Look At The New "In Shape" Luka Doncic Against Turkey And He's Just As Dominant As Ever

Seskim Photo/MB Media. Getty Images.

I don't know about you, but I desperately need some basketball in my life at this point. Sure preseason football is cool I guess, there's baseball on if you're into that sort of thing, but I need hoops during this NBA down period. I don't care if it's Pro-Am pick up, guys working out in empty gyms, or even some international tune up games before EuroBasket starts in a few weeks. Just give me some basketball to help scratch that itch, that's all I'm looking for right now.

So, when one of the options is checking in on Luka during a tune up game against Turkey, you bet your ass I'm interested. We were just told not too long ago how Luka is finally taking his conditioning and body seriously, which has been something I think most Mavs fans have been waiting for. He's still one of the best in the world even without being in shape, so let's see how he looks

A little 23/10/5 action for ya in the 104-103 Slovenia win. Other NBA guys played well for Slovenia like Goran Dragic (28/5/3) and then Furkan Korkmaz (33/7/4), Cedi Osman (23/3/4), and Alperen Sengun (19/9/1) for Turkey, the only difference being that Luka did all his damage in 27 minutes which was the fewest of any of those guys. He shot 8/16 from the floor (2-7 from deep) and by my eyes looked like the same old dominant Luka we've grown accustomed to over the years. The big thing I wanted to see was how more "in shape" he looked after that report came out and I dunno, you tell me. He kind of looks the same right? Maybe his conditioning is better, but in terms of his body, that looks like the same Luka we just saw in the WCF. Maybe even a little thicker. We have a ways to go until camp opens and it's clearly not even a bad thing considering Luka looked like a man amongst boys in those highlights, but for a team that has NBA Finals hype heading into next season, Luka seems pretty important.

Watching these highlights then led me to start to think about the Mavs in general. The good news with them is they in no way have to worry about Luka's Mav tenure considering he's about to start his 5/215M extension this season. All 5 years of that thing are guaranteed with no options, so it's not like they are at risk of him bolting if they don't win. I know KD just did that with 4 years left on his deal, but not everyone is KD. That situation is the exception, not really the norm. 

After finally breaking through to the WCF, it was pretty obvious their lack of size was a huge reason why the Warriors kicked the shit out of the Mavs in that series. Kevon Looney ate up that frontcourt (his 10.6 rebound average was the highest of any series), and while Maxi Kleber is a nice stretch 5 option, their big man issues had to be resolved if this team wants to continue to contend. Then this summer they bring in JaVale McGee and Christian Wood. Guys who maybe don't bow you away based on their name recognition, but two guys who absolutely fill a need. Wood is a great pick and pop/P&R player at his position when he decides to actually give a shit. 

I know JaVale is a Shaqtin-a-Fool HOFer, but he's also rebuilt his game into a pretty legit backup big man. 

Remember, this Mavs team is also getting Tim Hardaway Jr back as well. I look at this depth chart

and I see a team that address their biggest need and is loaded with talent. I still think DFS starts (he's basically been a starter since 2019-20) so I'm not sure what ESPN is going with this depth chart, but as long as Jaden Hardy's Summer League showing finds a way to translate if he gets run

I can see why people think the Mavs could be a top 4ish seed this season. I also wouldn't rule out moving someone like Dwight Powell to a team that might need a big and could have some guard depth to unleash. The Mavs didn't really replace Jalen Brunson with someone more NBA proven, and now that they have Wood/McGee/Powell/Kleber/Bertans that screams to me that we'll probably see some movement there for backcourt help. Spencer Dinwiddie for example has played over 69 games in a season just once in his entire career (2017-28). How much can you really rely on Franke Smokes and an unproven rookie who is like 20 years old? 

But in terms of Luka? Yup, still really really good. We know he can carry a team by himself and is one of the most unstoppable forces we currently have in the league. I didn't need to see a tune up game against Turkey to know that, but it sure was nice to see during this brutal slow period.

Now because it's Sunday and there's a chance you're reading this hungover on the toilet, let us all enjoy some more Luka dominance together