The NBA is in the midst of a long offseason, and the EuroBasket is in full swing. Honestly, this year's EuroBasket is packed with big names. Among the top five active NBA players, Dončić's Slovenia, Jokic's Serbia, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greece are particularly eye-catching. Jokic's effortless play was unparalleled in the first three group stage matches. Against Estonia, Jokic only managed 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, yet he led his team to a 34-point victory without even breaking a sweat. Against Portugal, Jokic barely exerted himself, scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds to disarm the opponent. And in the crucial matchup that determined their qualification, with captain Bogdan absent, Jokic dominated, scoring 39 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals to seal their spot. This is the true caliber of the current NBA's top player.

Players like Markkanen, who spent an entire season with the Jazz, and Dennis Schröder, who was traded to the Kings this summer, both shone at the EuroBasket. Dončić, on the other hand, felt increasingly frustrated. His teammates included former NBL (CBA's second-tier league) players, leaving him feeling isolated and helpless. In the first match against a weak Poland, Dončić played 36 minutes, shooting 7-of-14 from the field, scoring 34 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks. Slovenia ultimately lost by 10 points. In the second match against France, Dončić shot 8-of-20 from the field and 19-of-20 from the free throw line, scoring 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. After two games, his 38 free throw attempts led the EuroBasket, but the team struggled to secure a victory until the third game against underdog Belgium. Besides the team's overall weakness, what exactly were Dončić's own shortcomings?

Over the past six months, Dončić has experienced a major turning point in his life. He was abruptly traded to the Lakers by the Mavericks without prior notice. Jeanie Buss said that all the other players were very happy to join the Lakers, except Dončić, who seemed somewhat dejected. The Mavericks' reason for abandoning him was simple: obesity and injury risks. In his first season with James, the Lakers finished third in the Western Conference regular season and were eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. While the Lakers acquired Dončić, they didn't provide him with the tools he desired, such as a center capable of pick-and-roll play or a wing with exceptional mobility. During the offseason, Dončić lost 28 pounds, slimming down considerably. He also signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers and participated in the recruitment of players like Ayton and Smart.

Compared to the NBA, the EuroBasket is more physical, with a slower pace and a greater demand on physical effort. Since Dragic was removed from the roster, Dončić has single-handedly carried the Slovenian flag. The weight loss has helped Dončić address some of his shortcomings, including increased speed, improved stamina, and a fierce desire to win. However, many of his shortcomings have also increased. Let's analyze the media reports one by one. In the friendly match against Serbia, Dončić and his team suffered a crushing 34-point defeat. According to media reports, Dončić stormed into the locker room afterward, expressing dissatisfaction with the team's performance. In the first official game against Poland, Dončić chased the referee at least five times, complaining about fouls, until his own coach finally gave up.

The coach was caught on camera yelling at Dončić, "Shut up!" And in the game against France, at a crucial moment, Dončić snatched the tactical board from his coach and began coaching his teammates, ignoring the entire coaching staff, leaving his teammates feeling extremely embarrassed. Dončić is undoubtedly a strong player, having led the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2002 and the Finals in 2004. However, since entering the NBA, according to commentator Perkins and former star Horry, Dončić lacks the ability to be a versatile player on both offense and defense, while the NBA's top stars—Kobe, James, and Jordan—are capable of both. For example, in his 24th NBA Finals run and four playoff series, Dončić's probability of being passed in isolation was three times, a rate that ranks among the top three in the NBA over the past decade!

His defense is abysmal, and he's very demanding in his lineups. He needs a center to initiate plays and a forward who can handle transitions and patch up defensive gaps. Slovenia lacks these qualities, so Dončić's frustrations grow with each passing game. He can't single-handedly lead a team to victory like Markkanen, Jokic, or even Schroder did in the EuroBasket. And most crucially, his mentality is easily compromised! In the NBA, he's constantly complaining to referees, even arguing with them at the baseline on offensive possessions. It's not uncommon for opponents to play four-on-five. He absolutely needs a star player who can control him, soothe him, and motivate him. Otherwise, he could go astray: his scoring will continue to rise, while the team becomes increasingly vulnerable.

The Lakers may have made the wrong choice to succeed James! In terms of both talent and experience, Dončić should be the Lakers' absolute cornerstone for the next decade. But what will become of Dončić leading the team on his own after James leaves next summer? Even with James, Dončić's fundamental need for a team structure is impossible to achieve. Dončić's excessive ball possession, demanding lineup decisions, and volatile mentality remain unchanged. He can't change his playing style or his temper, so expecting the Lakers to usher in the next dynasty under his leadership seems a bit wishful thinking.

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