Luka Dončić starts 2024-25 season as a villain
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Sometimes he smiles. Sometimes he yells. Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Luka Dončić loves hearing chants in the arena, especially from fans who hate him.
Why it matters: Luka draws disdain. He wants to be fouled, he embellishes hits, and he trash-talks other players — and sometimes even fans of the other team.
- But mainly, he gets a lot of hate because he's good.
Catch up fast: Oklahoma City fans booed Dončić during the semifinals. He said he loves it.
- "When they chant, 'Luka sucks,' it gets me going. It's even better," he said with a smirk during a postgame news conference in May.
- Minnesota Timberwolves fans, in particular, loathed Dončić during the Western Conference finals. He goaded the players and their fans.
Flashback: Dončić complained about the refs after fouling out of Game 3 in the NBA Finals, saying the Mavericks "couldn't play physical." It was his first time fouling out in 48 playoff career games.
- The Boston Celtics — and eventual NBA champs — targeted the Mavs star throughout the series.
Reality check: Though Dončić was criticized for fouling last season, the stats show he was actually fouling less often than in previous seasons.
- He had 2.1 personal fouls per game last season — his lowest tally since his first season in 2018-19, when he averaged 1.9 fouls per game, per Basketball Reference.
What they're saying: "Luka Magic's real — the way he throws no-look dimes, he throws the ball over the defender's head," new Mav Klay Thompson said.
Why we love him: Dončić plays with joy. It's clear he's there to have a good time.
- Plus, he seems to love Dallas back. He understands the fans and respects Dirk's legacy.
The other side: Timberwolves fans quickly grew tired of Luka's incessant whining to officials during the Western Conference Finals, despite being used to that kind of thing after cheering for Karl-Anthony Towns for nine years.
- "Is Luka a great basketball player? Yes. Is he fun to watch? Not in the least," says our Axios Twin Cities colleague Nick Halter.
Game recognizes game: Our Axios Chicago colleague Justin Kaufmann — and very serious Bulls fan — has the perfect reaction to Dončić: "What's not to love? Dude is a baller, he's quirky and funny, and he is just the right amount of out-of-shape that gives all of us hope!"
The bottom line: Don't hate us because you ain't us.