Luka Doncic‘s much-hyped body transformation this offseason only confirmed the Dallas Mavericks’ concerns over their former franchise star, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
“Luka didn’t have to be in shape to prove the Mavericks made a bizarre decision,” MacMahon said on “The Hoop Collective” podcast on Aug. 5. “But Luka’s body changed so much this summer, it confirms those conditioning concerns were real. His sudden commitment to conditioning, like, bro, you’re several years into your NBA career. The whole victory lap to me has been a little bit odd.
“There was this suggestion that he was left without guidance during the summer and that he was on his own,” MacMahon continued. “Trust me, the Mavericks were giving him all the guidance in the world. None of that guidance was ‘feast every night and throw down a bunch of beers.’”
Photos and videos of Doncic’s new physique went viral. Doncic graced the cover of Men’s Health magazine, recently joined the Yankees broadcast and appeared on “Good Morning America” to discuss his new diet and incredible body transformation.
According to Slovenian Pop TV, Doncic lost 31 lbs. since the Los Angeles Lakers’ season ended at the end of April.
In the magazine cover interview for Men’s Health, Doncic revealed that he’s doing 16 hours of intermittent fasting six days a week since the season ended.
This offseason, every day but Sunday, Doncic fasts from 8:30 PM to 12 noon the following day. That’s 16 hours with nary a calorie, with the first workout of each day performed at the end of the fasting window.
As part of his new diet, Doncic consumes only a gluten-free, low-sugar diet, including “at least 250 grams of protein and one almond milk–fueled shake a day.”
Doncic’s Work Ethic Questioned
The radical shift in Doncic’s conditioning approach was fueled by the criticisms that came out when the Mavericks unceremoniously traded him last season.
“The [Mavericks] had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Dončić due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer, sources told ESPN,” MacMahon wrote on X shortly after the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers on Feb. 2.
Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont did not categorically deny those unflattering Doncic reports in the story that ran in The Dallas Morning News after the shocking trade. But Dumont gave a telling statement, referencing the work ethic of NBA legends who went on to win multiple championships as their blueprint.
“If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with — [Michael] Jordan, [Larry] Bird, Kobe [Bryant], Shaq [O’Neal] — they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win,” Dumont told The Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend. “And if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks.
“That’s who we want. I’m unwavering on this. The entire organization knows this. This is how I operate outside of basketball. This is the only way to be competitive and win. If you want to take a vacation, don’t do it with us.”
Mavericks Moving to Las Vegas?
The Mavericks, particularly Dumont and most especially general manager Nico Harrison, received vitriol from the hurting fan base in the aftermath of the trade. There were even conspiracy theories that Dumont made the move to incite the fan base to have a reason to move the franchise to Las Vegas.
Dumont and Miriam Adelson, the Mavericks’ new owners, operate the Las Vegas Sands and are hoping to build a new arena with a casino and entertainment complex. But for the second consecutive year, casino regulation attempts in Texas have stalled, according to Casino Industry News.
Dumont denied this conspiracy theory in the same interview with Townsend.
“The Dallas Mavericks are not moving to Las Vegas,” Dumont said. “There is no question about that; that is the answer unequivocally. The Dallas Mavericks are the Dallas Mavericks and they will be in Dallas.”
The Mavericks have since moved on, ushering in a new era with the arrival of No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. They will have their first in-person glimpse of Doncic’s new physique when they face the Lakers on Oct. 15 in a preseason game in Las Vegas.
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