Speaking to reporters after Slovenia’s loss to Canada on Wednesday, Mavericks star Luka Doncic claimed that the FIBA officials said they weren’t inclined to give him foul calls due to the way he was arguing with them all night, as Aris Barkas of Eurohoops relays.
“The refs told one of the guys, ‘We’re not going to call a foul on him because he’s coming at us,'” Doncic said. “I know I complain a lot, but I don’t think this is fair. They were playing physically against me, but that’s not fair, to say something like this.”
Both Doncic and Rockets forward Dillon Brooks were ejected from the game with technical fouls in the fourth quarter — Doncic for objecting to a non-call and Brooks for taunting. Brooks was the primary defender on Doncic and guarded him aggressively for much of the game. However, Doncic said his anger wasn’t aimed at Brooks.
“I respect Dillon, he is very physical,” Doncic said. “People may not like him, but I respect him for what he does. And he does that really good.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- The Mavericks will benefit a little financially from JaVale McGee‘s contract with Sacramento, notes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link). Dallas will receive $697,340 in “set-off” based on McGee’s new deal, and that amount will spread across the five years he remains on the team’s books, reducing his annual cap hits by $139,468.
- Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore, the MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League in July, spoke to Kelly Iko of The Athletic about his experience in Vegas and his expectations for his first NBA season. According to Whitmore, his focus when he reports to the team this fall will be on learning his role. “Whatever the coaching staff wants me to do, I’ll do it,” Whitmore said. “If they mention something to me, I’ll make sure it’s taken care of. I’m all ears in training camp.”
- As he prepares for his second NBA season, Spurs wing Malaki Branham has spent the offseason in gyms in San Antonio, Washington, D.C., and even in Madrid during his first ever trip overseas, part of an NBPA retreat. As Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News writes in a subscriber-only story, Branham is optimistic that the work he has put into improving his game this summer will be readily apparent in the fall. “Even the guys I’ve seen since I’ve been back are like, ‘I see you’ve been in the gym a lot this summer,'” Branham said.
I don’t know how you could determine whether or not a ref actually did say that, but if he did, that seems a pretty serious offense…
“the refs told one of the guys”
Which ref? Which guy?
Probably have to get into a bit more detail than that to be taken seriously.
Also probably deflates Mavs fans who hope Luka will stop complaining and start defending. Doesn’t seem likely watching him in the World Cup. Unless it’s egregious, the number of complaints should always trend towards zero.
Luka…just shut up and play the game.
it’s the exact reason I don’t want Luka on the Mavs. All he does all game long is whine and complain. I don’t watch entire Mavs games because of him. it’s like watching 2 1/2 hours of a 4 year old throwing a fit.
Regardless whether this was said or not it is the sentiment going through every ref’s mind when calling a game involving Luka. He doesn’t need to whine all game while making his team play 4v5 on the defensive end. He should let his game speak for itself because he is a phenomenal basketball player.
Luka, you’re a helluva player but will you please shut the hell up
One of the worst part of the NBA is the way star players get preferred treated by the officials. Luka can’t handle the game being called the right way.
When Branham was drafted. I thought he had good size. And plenty of upside as a 2way player. Definitely needed to get leaner. So it’s good to know he’s been working hard. Spurs have plenty of young talent. This is the yr they should move up.
When Luka first came into the league I thought….this is a kid I’m gonna love to watch play, he’s got it all.
Little did I know he’d turn into such a whiny b***h. Instead of being one of my favorite players, he’s one of my least favorite players. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes the kind if guy that people like to lift up and praise in public but behind the scenes be like…..man I really don’t wanna play with that dude. Too much of a whiny douche bag.
HELLO Everyone. Every player does what Luka does. Tatum, jokic and LeBron are the worst at it so Luka is under them