Luka Doncic transformed his body this summer, but unfortunately his temper still has not changed. Less than two quarters into his first preparation game action at EuroBasket, he was already barking at refs and picking up a technical. The setting did not matter. The habit was still there.
Lakers need Doncic to master his emotions
Slovenia’s 103–89 loss to Germany in a friendly game was not just about the results. It was about seeing Doncic back on the court after a busy offseason. This summer we saw the extension, the workouts, and the public commitment to taking the next step.
Doncic was impressive. He finished with 19 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds in just 24 minutes, which are all solid numbers. Unfortunately, he displayed the same old sideline arguments fans have all come to expect. This is not just a one-time thing.
Even last season, split between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic somehow managed to collect 14 technical fouls, which is enough to be 7th most in the league. He did that despite playing in only 50 games.
Those are not one-off numbers. With him it has been a recurring pattern. His career total now sits at 93, along with five ejections. That is a lot of frustration for someone who has not even turned 27 years old yet.
The reality is Doncic is too valuable to be risking ejections or momentum-killing techs. He is without a doubt one of the most brilliant offensive players of his generation.
He can change a game with his vision, his footwork, his shot-making, and now, his improved conditioning. If he is off the floor, none of that stuff matters. This Lakers team is not built to lose him, even for short stretches.
The Lakers did their job this offseason. They brought him in, extended him, and upgraded the roster. They are chasing banner number 18.
But the details, things like emotional discipline, are what separate playoff teams from champions. Doncic’s next evolution is not about his game. It is about having control. Not silencing his fire, but knowing when and how to use it.
In the NBA, losing your cool can cost you more than just a possession. It can cost momentum at the wrong time, chemistry, or worse, a playoff series. Doncic has already made major changes. But for the Lakers to win big, he will have to make one more.