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Luka Doncic is easing into his first training camp with the Los Angeles Lakers after a grueling summer run with Slovenia. The 26-year-old guard admitted Thursday that the plan is to pace himself early in camp to avoid burning out before the season begins.
“Yeah, obviously probably take it a little bit slower than the usual,” Doncic said after the Lakers’ third day of camp, via local media. “I had a busy summer. I think month, month and a half I was with national team. So, it was kind of a lot. But that got me ready for the preseason and obviously regular season. So, for me, I think it really helps.”
Doncic poured in 39 points in Slovenia’s EuroBasket quarterfinal loss to Germany just a month ago, but now the focus is on building toward opening night.
Lakers coach J.J. Redick has emphasized conditioning after the team was bounced in the first round by Minnesota last spring and Doncic says the team has taken note.
“Yeah, we just talked about today,” Doncic said. “It’s not just physical shape. It’s mental shape too. So, that kind of goes both ways. Both are very important. We’re doing practice. It was great. Everybody’s in great shape. Everybody’s running a lot so it’s been great so far.”
Luka’s teammates have already been reminded of his unique impact only hours into training camp.
“Yeah. I think I’m just reminded of his own greatness,” guard Gabe Vincent said. “He sees the floor so well. He could score from anywhere on the floor. He is always a threat. But he does such a good job of commanding defenses. He gets all 10 eyes on him and he sees the floor and he makes a good read nine times out of 10.”
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