Doncic: I don’t know if the Lakers and Warriors are rivals, but this opening game will definitely be fierce.

After completing daily training during the training camp, Los Angeles Lakers backcourt star Luka Doncic accepted an interview with reporters. In the interview, he also talked about the opening game against the Golden State Warriors and the situation related to Stephen Curry. When asked if he would regard the opening game between the Lakers and Warriors as a duel between rivals, Doncic said: I don’t know if the Lakers and Warriors are considered rivals, but obviously, everyone will pay attention to the game between Stephen Curry and LeBron James, so it will make everyone very excited. From my point of view, I don’t know if this game is considered a duel between old enemies, but one thing is for sure, it will definitely be an exciting game. Both our teams have very good personnel, so it will be a very fierce game.

When asked if Curry was also a player he paid attention to and admired, Doncic continued: Of course. As an opponent, I have played against him often, so I know his situation very well. Obviously, he's a very difficult player to guard because, you know, he's running all the time and he can shoot from anywhere. So, I think guarding him is a very challenging thing, but facing an opponent like this, it can also make you excited, you know? It’s exciting to play against a player like that, and it’s the first game of the new season, so it’s bound to be a good game.

In the middle of last season, the Mavericks completed a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and sent Doncic to the Lakers. After joining the Lakers, Doncic played a total of 28 times for the team in the NBA regular season, averaging 35.1 minutes per game. He averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. He also had 3.7 turnovers and 2.4 fouls. He shot 43.8% from the field, 37.9% from the three-point range, and 79.1% from the free throw line. In the playoffs, Doncic played a total of 5 times, averaging 41.6 minutes per game. He averaged 30.2 points, 7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1 steal, and 0.6 blocks per game. He also had 4 turnovers and 3.2 fouls. He shot 45.2% from the field, 34.8% from the three-point range, and 89.1% from the free throw line.

In the previous preseason, Doncic played a total of 2 times, averaging 27.4 minutes per game. He averaged 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. He also had 4 turnovers and 3 fouls. He shot 48.4% from the field, 52.6% from the three-point range, and 76.2% from the free throw line. Doncic performed quite well during the preseason and showed good personal condition. I don’t know what kind of performance Doncic, who is playing for the Lakers for the first time in the opening game, will perform against the old rival Warriors in the next opening game. Can he lead the team to victory?