Luka Doncic makes big admission about handling his emotions
Apr 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) brings the ball up court against the LA Clippers during the first quarter during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic seemingly admitted that he needs to do a better job controlling his emotions after coming under heavy criticism for fouling out of Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Doncic conceded that his desire to win is so strong that he can sometimes get carried away, and that is something he wants to address.
Doncic says he and Mavs needs to get back to the fun they were playing with in the first 3 series: “I just want to win so bad,” he said. pic.twitter.com/lI45qZRhaU
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) June 13, 2024
“Sometimes I don’t show it the right way, but at the end of the day I really want to win. I got to do a better job showing it a different way,” Doncic said.
Doncic added that the Mavericks need to “go back to playing fun” the way they did in the first three rounds of the playoffs, which he suggests they have lost so far in the Finals.
Doncic’s comments come after he fouled out of Game 3, and while the call was fairly questionable, some were rubbed the wrong way by Doncic blaming the officials after their 106-99 loss. Doncic’s defensive focus has also been questioned, such as one moment in the first half where he spent a moment barking at the official instead of getting back in transition.
"A moment where Luka takes a minute to bark at the officials, doesn't sprint in transition and you're playing 5-on-4."
Doris Burke calls out Luka Dončić's defensive effort in a critical sequence late in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/Dlds0hnTnF
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 13, 2024
One ESPN figure was particularly brutal in his assessment of Doncic during this series.
Doncic is one of the best players in the sport. He also has a long history of complaining about and perhaps getting too fixated on officiating. He seems aware that habit can cause him and his team problems, but fixing it is easier said than done.