Last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, Luka Doncic, is preparing for the upcoming campaign as he is working on improving his conditioning and getting in shape. Doncic shared some photos on his Instagram page, and the progress is evident. Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle praised him for his work.
“It’s just a natural progression that every player needs to have going from Year 1 to Year 2, especially someone like Luka that had such a great first year,” Carlisle said. “People are really going to be coming for him in his second year, and the continued work on body and conditioning and developing his game is going to keep moving him in the direction of becoming a really great player.”
Carlisle is looking to improve the Mavericks this season and get them to the playoffs after they finished the previous season with a 33-49 record and in the 14th place in the Western Conference. With the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, Doncic and the Mavericks could be legitimate playoff contenders this time around. Even though he already showcased his qualities in his first NBA season, winning the Rookie of the Year Award, Doncic still has a lot to offer, and the 20-year-old dedicated this offseason to improve his conditioning.
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Carlisle, his assistant Jamahl Mosley, and center Dwight Powell visited Doncic in Slovenia back in May, and head coach said that he knows Luka is working hard. “I know he’s working his butt off this summer,” Carlisle said. “I know he’s very motivated for this season.”
