Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has a knack for being able to adapt and make the most of his experience, even if it means distancing himself from somebody he previously considered a mentor. In this article, we’ll explore what happened between him and Rick Carlisle during his rookie season that led to their strained relationship.
The “where is luka doncic from” is a question that has been asked for some time now. Luka Doncic’s relationship with Rick Carlisle reportedly started during his rookie season, but it wasn’t really about how Rick treated Luka. Luka hated how Rick treated other people.
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During Rick Carlisle’s last season with the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic and Rick Carlisle’s relationship was strained. Rumored feuds between them complicated matters for everyone in the organization, which eventually parted ways with the 2011 NBA champion head coach.
Some speculated that Luka was involved in the decision, but no one said that the Slovenian point guard went against his head coach. However, things between the parties were not always pleasant, even from the start.
According to a recent story, the Mavericks, Doncic, and Carlisle are divorcing, and Carlisle’s attitude toward those who aren’t called ‘Luka’ has given him a negative image in Doncic’s eyes.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon published a full story about the topic and its origins, which go all the way back to Luka’s rookie season. He had formed a connection with Dennis Smith Jr., who was playing in the same position as the former Real Madrid great at the time. Carlisle disliked Smith and tried all he could to undermine him in favor of Luka, which irritated the rookie guard.
Even though it wasn’t a basketball match, Doncic and Smith had built a relationship. Several former players and employees told ESPN that Carlisle’s evident desire to make Smith unhappy during their limited time together was repulsive to Doncic.
Several players were taken aback when Carlisle accused Smith of being envious of Doncic at an early-season team meeting, according to sources. The teammates thought it was unjust to Smith, who wasn’t playing well but was doing his hardest to fit in with Doncic on the floor.
According to club insiders, Doncic was especially enraged by Carlisle’s effort to turn him against his buddy and colleague.
“It wasn’t really about how Rick handled Luka,” a 2018-19 Mavs player stated. “Luka despised Rick’s treatment of others.”
Carlisle was also involved in another dispute before Luka arrived in Dallas. He shouted at Salah Mejri, a former center, after he was expelled from a game. Carlisle always seemed to condemn Mejri more than was necessary, regardless of who was there. He had a strong relationship with Luka, which was ironic.
CENTER FOR THE MAVS IN THE PAST Salah Mejri, a player whose raging emotions were often misunderstood by officials, received two rapid technical fouls in the third quarter of a victory against the Washington Wizards in January 2018. The second tech was a very rapid whistle, and before leaving the court, Mejri argued his case to Carlisle.
“You’ve only got two f—-ing points, so get out of here!” Carlisle yelled at Mejri, gesturing toward the locker room tunnel, in an altercation seen on video by television cameras.
According to a team source, Mejri felt belittled by Carlisle, who believed the coach targeted him with unduly harsh comments — often in front of the squad.
Doncic never tried to have Carlisle fired, and he didn’t have to, according to MacMahon. The head coach was not given a contract extension, and Mark Cuban said that the team will be going in a new path beginning this season. Now that the Mavs have a new head coach in Jason Kidd, the club is trying to establish a rhythm as a result of injuries and the league’s covid-19 outbreak.
This is still Kidd’s first season, and the former Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach seems to have everyone on the same page. Still, only time will tell whether Luka can lead his club through the first round of the playoffs this season.
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