In an interview with Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning Information, Dumont strongly implied that the departed Doncic wasn’t like all-time greats Michael Jordan, Larry Hen, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, who “labored actually onerous, on a regular basis with a singular focus to win.” He added, “If you do not have that, you should not be a part of the Dallas Mavericks.”
It is the newest remark from Mavericks administration, who’ve criticized Doncic’s weight, consuming and poor protection since sending him to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. However Dumont selected curious examples of gamers he believed have been singularly dedicated to profitable.
Shaquille O’Neal was infamous for “playing himself into shape” yearly after reporting to coaching camp out of form. Coming off of back-to-back championships within the fall of 2001, the 335-pound O’Neal informed the New York Occasions,
“I gave it plenty of thought, after which I made a decision, I am not going to lose 30 kilos and be a skinnyhead. I like being huge. I am the NBA’s finest NFL participant. I received a soccer physique, child.”
The Lakers gained their third title in a row that season.
Larry Hen injured his finger in a bar fight in the course of the 1985 Jap Convention Finals, and his Boston Celtics went on to lose the NBA Finals with Hen capturing below 45% (he was at 52.2% within the common season).
“I’ve made plenty of errors,” Hen informed the Los Angeles Occasions after the season. “I wish to drink beer and exit and have a great time.”
Hen and the Celtics went on to win their third NBA championship the following season, and would attain the NBA Finals once more in 1987. Even when Hen did do an low season coaching program in 1987, he told the Chicago Tribune, “Solely factor I needed to ensure of is that I might drink beer once I play golf after exercising.”
Even Jordan, the relentless competitor, as soon as took a 100-mile limo trip to Atlantic Metropolis and gambled till 2:30 a.m. on the evening earlier than Sport 2 of the 1993 Jap Convention Finals. The Chicago Bulls misplaced that recreation earlier than occurring to win the sequence and their third straight NBA title.
The Mavericks might properly haven’t needed to commit over $300M to Doncic and make him the long-term way forward for the franchise. However their fixed criticism of their former participant after sending him away is distasteful and petty.
Plus, Dumont has proved together with his ignorance of basketball by utilizing Hen and O’Neal as examples of singularly-focused gamers. If Dumont thinks Shaq took care of his physique and solely cared about profitable, it is secure for Mavericks followers to query his basketball judgment in different areas as properly.
Just like the knowledge of buying and selling a 25-year-old, five-time All-NBA guard.
