RIGA, LV. — Luka Doncic being in EuroBasket DPOY discussions wasn’t supposed to exist. Yet here we are. Dončić headlines the first-ever EuroBasket Defensive Player of the Year shortlist. FIBA listed 16 names as favourites. Among them: Adem Bona, Goga Bitadze, Dennis Schröder, and Lauri Markkanen. The award will be digital-only. Fans can vote, though the weight of their ballots remains unclear. Public polls show Doncic tied with Bitadze and Isaac Bonga at 13 percent.
Luka Doncic Emerges As Surprising Favorite For EuroBasket DPOY Award
A Reinvented Body
The buzz started months ago. Doncic’s body transformation became the story of the summer. Reports say he shed 31 pounds. Even whispers of a vertical leap “miracle” made the rounds. What isn’t up for debate? His defense looks new.
Luka Doncic’s EuroBasket DPOY chatter has grown louder because his defense is finally disruptive. For years, people praised his basketball IQ on offense. Now, his body keeps pace with it on defense.
Numbers That Back It Up
Doncic dominates across the board. He leads Slovenia in points (34.0), rebounds (8.3), and assists (7.2). But the difference is defense. He averages 3.2 steals and 0.7 blocks, both team highs.
In past summers, Doncic carried his teams by scoring. This summer, he’s carrying them by defending too. His timing, positioning, and anticipation are sharper. He looks quicker laterally. He looks springier off the floor.
Ripple Effects Beyond Europe
Doncic’s push for the EuroBasket DPOY matters overseas, but its impact may be greater in the NBA. A defensive leap changes everything.
Back in the United States, executives are watching closely. The Lakers loom large in trade speculation. If Dončić sustains this defensive intensity, how long before Los Angeles finally makes a bold move?
The Lakers already added pieces this offseason. Upgrading even more around an all-around Dončić could force a title push.
The EuroBasket award itself is symbolic. But the signal is real. Doncic is no longer just a scorer or playmaker. He’s defending at a level that few thought possible. If he holds this form, Slovenia and the Lakers benefit.
Credit: Boogie via Men’s Health Magazine
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