Don’t be fooled by marvels like herculean Lakers forward LeBron James and his Milwaukee counterpart, musclebound Bucks prodigy Giannis Antetoukounmpo. While the NBA certainly offers its share of physical specimens, for every shredded, impossibly fit player like LeBron, there are at least as many junk-food-loving Zion Williamsons and James Hardens (who Dan Le Batard recently referred to as a “pot-bellied strip club guy”) proudly roaming the league with their dad bods.
Contrary to popular belief, washboard abs and chiseled biceps—though good traits to have—are not required to be a dominant NBA force. Just ask doughy Nuggets big man Nikola Doncic and Chik-fil-A-devouring Sixers All-Star Joel Embiid. Neither will be gracing the cover of Men’s Fitness anytime soon, but both, in spite of their conditioning concerns, remain upper-echelon talents.
Which brings us to the topic of the day, Dallas Mavericks renaissance man Luka Doncic, a first-team All-NBA selection in 2020 and early frontrunner, at least in the eyes of Vegas handicappers, for league MVP. Doncic made a seismic leap last season, ranking among the top 10 in both points (28.8 per game) and assists (8.8) while also pacing the league with 17 triple-doubles. Yet, with the 2021 campaign just a hop, skip and a jump away, all anyone can talk about is his appearance with critics expressing concern over Doncic’s noticeably puffy physique.
Damn Luka has gained some weight 🤯
— LakersOrBusst (@LakersOrBusst) December 13, 2020
pic.twitter.com/CUMGxhQd8L
Doncic is listed at a reasonable 6’7”/230, measurables not atypical of an NBA swingman, though photo evidence from Saturday night’s preseason opener at Milwaukee would suggest that might be a low estimate. Is that a spare tire I see?
Luka Donthicc https://t.co/5TmLj7gNxS
— Greg (@gwiss) December 13, 2020
The former third overall pick elicited similar criticism this summer when Doncic’s own trainer in his native Slovenia admitted the 21-year-old came back from the NBA’s COVID layoff a little thick around the waist. When the subject was raised during Doncic’s post-game press conference Monday night, the former Rookie of the Year was surprisingly transparent, admitting he’s not in peak physical form yet, though in time, he’ll get where he needs to be. “People on Twitter say lots of stuff,” laughed Doncic. “It’s true, I’m not in my best shape. I will get there, for sure. I’ve never been a muscular guy. So what can I say?”
Pudgy or not, Doncic looked dominant Monday night, slaughtering Milwaukee for 27 points and eight boards in a 128-112 Mavs victory. If Doncic can drop 27 on the Bucks—the team with the NBA’s best regular-season record last year (56-17)—with a beer gut, imagine what a beast he’ll be once he loses those love handles.
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