Luka Doncic Discussion: Lean Mean Slovenian Extension Machine

2001-2010

 

Basketball wasn’t really big as a sport where I was. I played more volleyball and handball in my youth as a break from tennis. Then at about 13, it was just one sport only. The most I did with a basketball is shoot free throws and try dunks I saw on highlights.

I got into basketball via the great Bill Russell actually, I use to watch his interviews on leadership. I found his concepts on maximising the talent of his team super interesting and then of course Jordan and the dream team were a phenom. Kobe came around and he was an age contemporary that mirrored lots that I loved about sport, the details, the drive, the discipline. And I became a lakers fan because of him and then a fan of basketball in general.

For me, basketball, is a perfect mix of the team and the individual - whereby one player can impact the game to a degree where they can win, but a team of lesser pieces can still overcome the talent gulf of playing the MVP. The tactics and various play styles - just a brilliant game.

 

this was it for me, and why i loved playing. there was space for individual brilliance and creativity in a game which required cohesiveness and communication for ultimate success. so great.