“Look like he ate Zion” - NBA fans mock Luka Doncic after he seemingly looks out of shape in Goran Dragic’s farewell game

Basketball fans react to Luka Doncic looking out of shape in Goran Dragic
Basketball fans react to Luka Doncic looking out of shape in Goran Dragic's farewell game in Slovenia. [photo: @nbaeurope/Instagram]

Goran Dragic’s farewell game on Saturday in his home country of Slovenia featured former and current NBA superstars, including Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki. The matchup featured Dragic’s team against a squad led by “Luka Legend.” While it was the retired point guard who headlined the show, Doncic stole some of the limelight.

The Dallas Mavericks franchise cornerstone showed up to the game and fans said he looked heavier than he has been in his basketball career. This became a talking point online.

Fans who saw Luka Doncic in the highly anticipated exhibition game promptly reacted on X, formerly Twitter:

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“Luka look like he ate Zion.”

One fan claimed Doncic could play for another team based in Dallas:

“I’m a fan of Luka but he could transition to LB for the Cowboys in a matter of days.”

While the overwhelming majority of fans were discussing his weight, a few fans came to Doncic's defense or felt it would make no difference. This fan thought Doncic’s size wouldn’t matter in the NBA:

“But will still cook everyone.”

Another Doncic supporter jumped on the same thread:

“280 and still cooking your favorite all star.”

Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson are two of the most talented superstars in the NBA. They are also often criticized for playing out of shape. Williamson, though, has been gradually losing weight since November and reportedly wants to play at 272 pounds next season.

Doncic's weight may be a talking point for fans, but given it is only August, there is no real cause for concern. The Dallas Mavericks training camp doesn’t open until late September, and that will be when this gains serious traction among analysts if it is an issue.


Luka Doncic and the Mavericks looking to bounce back from Finals loss

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks lost the 2024 NBA Finals partly because the Boston Celtics relentlessly punished the Slovenian on defense. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla masterfully pushed his players to attack “Luka Legend” almost every time they had possession. Whether it was Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, or Derrick White, it didn’t matter for Mazzulla.

The strategy worked as the Mavericks couldn’t consistently rotate to help on defense. On most occasions, the Boston Celtics generated good shots simply by forcing Doncic to play defense.

Mavs fans will be concerned if the NBA’s scoring champ enters the season out of shape, particularly on the defensive end. That, however, is yet to happen. For now, Doncic and his teammates are having a well-deserved break before training for the 2024 campaign, in which they hope to go one further and win the championship.

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Edited by John Maxwell
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