Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised Luka Doncic’s ability to shine in crucial moments, attributing it to his experiences at Real Madrid.
Doncic’s leadership has propelled the Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years.
“You can’t take someone who’s so great for granted,” Kidd said. “A lot of time that’s what we do. You pencil him in for a triple-double, but what he has done with his physical, what he’s going through physically, he comes to work, he knows that he’s on the biggest stage and he wants to win.
“So for him to fight through his injuries to get us to the Finals has been incredible. We get a couple days here for him to catch his breath mentally and physically because it doesn’t get any easier. But again, what he has done is shown that he’s one of the best players on the world.”
Reflecting on Doncic’s earlier experiences in high-pressure situations, Kidd referenced the Slovenian star’s time at Real Madrid.
“I think it goes back to him at Real Madrid, just being at the biggest stage at the age of 15 or 16 years old,” Kidd noted, underscoring Doncic’s early exposure to elite competition.
Kidd also recalled a particular moment when Doncic faced off against Russell Westbrook.
“I know there’s a clip of him out there that he’s playing against Russ, he’s guarding Russ, gets Russ to shoot a jump shot. So that let us know that he can play defense,” he said.
“He’s been on this stage as an older teenager and he has always adapted or he’s been able to perform at the highest level and for that he can draw on those experiences and get his game to that level,” Kidd remarked, highlighting Doncic’s consistency and adaptability.
Doncic’s remarkable playoff statistics further validate Kidd’s praise, with averages of 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game.
As the Mavericks prepare for the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Doncic’s ability to thrive under pressure will be instrumental in their pursuit of championship glory.
