When pictures of a noticeably thinner Luka Doncic emerged this previous weekend, it felt like Groundhog Day once more.
Practically each offseason, pictures of a slimmer Doncic emerge to nullify the discourse surrounding his poor conditioning and health ranges. Who may neglect the movies of Doncic running up a flight of stairs earlier than the 2023-24 season? That video was meant to scare the rest of the NBA, no? Additionally, let’s not neglect when Doncic’s trainer spoke glowingly about his new exercise and routine earlier than the 2022-23 season.
Nonetheless, as Doncic’s NBA season begins to wind down, a lot is alleged about his lack of conditioning — each single 12 months. This recurring sample raises the query: Are American eating places or quick meals guilty?
Former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal had a somewhat attention-grabbing tackle the matter.
“You realize what’s loopy? If you happen to watch him play together with his nationwide crew [over the summer], he all the time appears thinner,” O’Neal informed the “Nightcap” podcast. “Then he comes again to the USA, and it is like he is consuming yeast rolls and pasta.”
Podcast host Shannon Sharpe agreed with O’Neal’s take.
“If you happen to take a look at Europeans, they are not as large as Individuals. There’s something concerning the meals,” Sharpe mentioned.
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith believes the 82-game gauntlet of an NBA season might be stopping Doncic from staying in form.
“It is onerous to keep up good habits throughout a season,” Smith mentioned. “Within the offseason, you do not have to journey, so your exercise routine is on level and also you’re extra disciplined along with your food regimen.”
Doncic’s Lakers teammate, Markieff Morris, supplied extra context on why it is tougher to remain in form throughout an NBA season on “First Take.”
“You’d suppose we’re in higher form throughout a season, however whenever you’re consuming lodge meals, getting in at 3 o’clock within the morning in several cities, you need to eat at 4 o’clock within the morning after which go back-to-back. All that stuff takes a toll in your physique,” Morris defined.
It is value noting that many NBA gamers journey with private cooks and nutritionists for this particular cause. They like consuming meals ready by their crew somewhat than eating out at eating places.
So, will Groundhog Day strike once more within the 2026 offseason?
In line with Slovenian outlet SportKlub [h/t BasketNews], Doncic is decided to make sure that “Skinny Luka” is not only a fad, however a actuality.
Solely time will inform if Doncic’s so-called “physique transformation” lasts into March, April and Might of 2026.
