Luka Doncic touched on different issues related to the Slovenian national team, in an interview with spanish AS
He spoke about early elimination by Poland at last FIBA EuroBasket “I let my team down. I let my whole country down. It was my fault,” the Dallas Mavericks star admitted. However, he went on to say that he will always be available to his national team when needed. “I will be back. I will always play for Slovenia if I am not injured.”
This time he has had more rest time because Dallas did not even make the playoffs “It has been a very long summer for me, but I am very happy to be back on track. I haven’t played since April 10, so I’m looking forward to it. The objective is the same as always when I go to a tournament, what I have in mind is to win it. What happens next is something else, but that’s always the goal,” he said.
This summer and this FIBA World Cup would be specific for him, because after Goran Dragić retire from national team, and Edo Murić injury, Doncic is now also the captain of Slovenia. “It’s an honor, a proud moment. It was decided by my coach and teammates. Nothing new for me. I have already been a leader in the locker room, and also at the Mavericks. It will be difficult to replace Edo Muric and Goran Dragic, who was the captain at EuroBasket 2017. They are two great players,” said Doncic about his new role.
The former Real Madrid player doesn’t relate the FIBA World Cup to his NBA tasks with the Mavericks after suffering a disappointing last season. “I don’t think the EuroBasket is a preparation for the NBA. I’m having a good time here with the boys. It’s a pleasure to play with Slovenia. What happens with the national team has nothing to do with what happens with the Mavs.”
“Now I don’t think about Dallas, but I think the right steps are being taken. There may still be some more signing, or maybe not,” he noted.
The FIBA World Cup will be played from August 25th to September 10th in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. Slovenia will play in group F, with Cape Verde, Georgia and Venezuela.