Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic wants to follow in the footsteps of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, who were known for their maniacal work ethic and offseason training regimens.
Doncic, who has been maligned for his poor conditioning and fitness levels, wants to make the same sacrifices that Jordan and Bryant made to take his game to a new level.
“MJ and Kobe, you know, they really did a lot in their careers,” he told Men’s Health. “They sacrificed a lot.”
As part of Doncic’s new offseason regimen, the Slovenian star has made significant changes to both his diet and training techniques to make it through the grueling 82-game NBA season and to thrive in a potential two-month playoff run.
Doncic’s conditioning issues were a significant topic during the 2023 and 2024 playoffs, as he often ran out of gas at the end of games, which greatly impacted his defense. Many felt that Doncic’s issues were directly related to his offseason habits, with some suggesting that the Mavericks traded him due to his affinity for “beer and hookah.”
Inspired by Kobe’s Sacrifices
As is well documented, Bryant and Jordan trained during the offseason like their lives depended on it. Besides honing their craft in the lab, they also put in the work in the gym, which helped them maintain extraordinary conditioning and fitness levels.
Both were known to have two workouts a day, while foregoing the chance to spend time with their families or go on holidays.
Tracy McGrady, one of Bryant’s contemporaries, once explained why the late Lakers icon was a step ahead of his peers due to his offseason sacrifices.
“Kobe didn’t take no vacations like that,” T-Mac told the “OldManAndThree” podcast. “‘I can’t be on vacation, taking all this time off and relaxing on a beach’… that’s one of the coldest [expletive] that ever played a game and I got to see him.”
Kobe Was a Fan of Doncic’s Game
Doncic and Bryant shared some cool moments before the latter’s tragic demise in 2020. Bryant famously heckled trash-talked Doncic in Slovenian in December 2019 when the Mavericks visited the Lakers at Staples Center.
After Doncic was traded to the Lakers, he spoke fondly of Bryant pranking him.
“First of all, I remember exactly when it happened,” he said. “That moment has stayed with me forever. It was incredible. The fact that Kobe knew my name — it was unbelievable for me at the time. I wish Kobe and Gigi were here to witness this moment. I’m excited about this new challenge and happy to be here.”
In March 2022, Doncic opened up on the advice Bryant gave him before his passing.
“The one advice he gave me, was like, ‘Watch out, they’re gonna come after you because you’re from Europe. They’re gonna try to go after you.’ And it was true.”
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss also spoke about the relationship between Bryant and Doncic after the latter arrived in Los Angeles.
“That was, like, a very important relationship,” Jeanie told “The Rich Eisen Show” in February 2025.
“Kobe really took him under his wing and was supportive of him. I think he feels that, even without Kobe present, that there’s that kind of feel with our organization.”
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