Luka Doncic's problem: frustration that goes beyond hurting Slovenia / News - Basketnews.com

In the third consecutive major FIBA competition, Luka Doncic was eliminated from the title race following the outbursts directed at the referees.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Tokyo Olympics, 2021.These were the words reportedly shouted by Luka Doncic in the wake of Slovenia's semifinal loss to France.

Player of the Game EFF 40 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points 31 Accuracy 8-12 Rebounds 10 Assists 4

"FIBA is probably happy!"

"FIBA happened!"

It was a loss that left him deeply frustrated, primarily due to concerns about the officiating, not only in the semifinal but also in the bronze-medal match, where Slovenia ultimately fell to Australia, narrowly missing out on a coveted podium finish.

"This is not the way I should behave," admitted Doncic, who was only 22 at the time, reflecting on the loss to Australia. "I've got to learn from that."

EuroBasket 2022, Berlin.

Luka Doncic found himself fouling out against Poland with just 3:02 remaining in the fourth quarter and Slovenia trailing by four points.

It was a moment that saw Poland pull off one of the tournament's biggest upsets, eliminating Slovenia and securing their spot in the EuroBasket semifinals. Doncic's third foul was a technical, a consequence of his disputes with the referees.

World Cup 2023, Manila.

Luka Doncic received his second technical foul for repeated complaints directed at the referees and got ejected from the FIBA World Cup 2023 clash with Canada with 6:37 to go. This ejection came with Slovenia trailing by 15 points, sealing their elimination from the title race.

For the third consecutive FIBA tournament, Luka Doncic got distracted by the referees, directly influencing Slovenia's fate in national team competitions.

"It's difficult to play and control emotions when you get hit constantly all game long. I know it's not great, it doesn't look good, but it's very difficult and frustrating. That's what makes Luka so special. He is a great player, and it's tough to guard him in a legal way," Slovenia's head coach, Aleksander Sekulic, explained to the media following the loss to Canada.

Slovenia / Schedule

Slovenia Australia91-80 Germany Slovenia100-71 Canada Slovenia100-89 Lithuania Slovenia100-84 Italy SloveniaSat08:45

"Everybody knows what my frustration was. Playing for the national team it's a lot of emotions. A lot of times, I don't control myself, which I've been having problems with. One of the referees told one of our guys, 'We're not going to call a foul on him because he's coming at us.' I think this is not fair. I know I complain a lot, but I don't think it's fair. They've been playing physical with me, but if you say that, it's not fair," Doncic shared his perspective.

For the third consecutive FIBA tournament, Slovenia is fighting the demons around the floor, although the biggest demon exists in their heads.

This becomes clear when you watch the replay or talk to anyone outside the Slovenian national team bubble.

On several occasions during the game against Canada, Doncic visibly gestured toward the VIP tribune where FIBA executives were seated, making the "money sign" and voicing his complaints.

This behavior already began in the first half, indicating that Slovenia, and Doncic in particular, felt they were battling not just their opponents but also larger forces from early on.

But when Doncic was asked about this behavior during a press conference, he offered a brief one-word response: "Nothing."

Such behavior raises concerns, as Doncic's actions imply that he believed the game might be influenced or rigged. But such on-court behavior also demands further explanation on a platform like an official press conference.

Three factors stand between Luka Doncic's Slovenia and success on the international basketball stage.

First, there is the issue of talent. The core players who had helped win the EuroBasket 2017 gold are aging, and Doncic needs more support.

This Slovenia team has never been the most talented, but Doncic's talent, basketball IQ, and playmaking abilities elevated them to medal contention on the biggest FIBA stage since 2021.

This summer, Slovenia was further deterred by the absence of key players such as Vlatko Cancar and their captain, Edo Muric. At the moment, Slovenian basketball can hardly impact talent production other than naturalizing players like Mike Tobey.

However, two other big factors within Slovenia's control could determine its success on the international stage in the near future.

It starts with professionalism, discipline, and their approach to FIBA competitions, and the ability to manage frustration and maintain composure on the court.

The team's fun-loving vibe from 2021 and 2022 is entertaining but can hinder their performance when aiming for medals.

Many of these problems beginwith Doncic, who engages with referees right from the start of the game. This behavior usually translates to his coach and teammates, negatively impacting the team's overall performance.

After receiving an early technical foul in the second quarter against Canada, Doncic was yelling at his head coach to continue putting pressure on the referees.

This whole picture makes us miss Goran Dragic and his leadership of the 2017 EuroBasket.

Addressing these mental aspects could significantly enhance Slovenia's chances on the international stage.

Since no such influential figure has appeared who could guide Luka and help him maintain control in Slovenia, as of now, it's in his hands. The encouraging part is that Doncic is only 24, and maturity will likely bring adjustments.

But it's not just about the results anymore.

While Doncic is frustrated about the calls he and Slovenia don't receive, it's also disheartening for basketball enthusiasts to see their beautiful style of play overshadowed by unnecessary emotions.

When Luka Doncic is in his element on the basketball court, it's akin to experiencing a masterpiece in motion. However, Luka's frustration, his manners, and the overall draining experience of watching his team's games started becoming simply unwatchable.

I say this as both a journalist, a basketball enthusiast, and a fan of Luka and Slovenian basketball.

URBONUS podcast:

Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.