‘Tell him about Barça’ – Jason Kidd reveals what upsets Luka Dončić

In a thrilling climax to Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, Luka Doncic nailed a game-winning shot to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 2-0 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The young Slovenian star’s heroics have once again placed him at the center of the basketball world’s attention.

Following the game, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd offered some light-hearted yet insightful comments on Doncic’s motivation and mentality. Kidd revealed a unique tactic he used to fire up the team’s cornerstone player before the critical match.

“If you want to make Luka talk, talk to him about Real Madrid. If you want to make him angry, tell him about Barcelona,” Kidd said with a smile. “If you know about the rivalry, you know how to provoke him. So today I told him: ‘Man, I think I’ll take the Barça job. Did you see they fired their coach?'”

Doncic’s deep connection with Real Madrid stems from his formative years with the storied Spanish club.Before his transition to the NBA, Doncic spent several successful seasons with Real Madrid, where he developed into one of the top prospects in the world. His time there fostered a fierce loyalty to the club, making any mention of their archrival, Barcelona, a surefire way to ignite his competitive spirit.

Take a moment to watch Luka Doncic’s game-winning shot against Minnesota on Saturday.

LUKA GAME-WINNER.
ABSOLUTE CINEMA.

Mavs take a 2-0 series lead in the West Finals 🐴 pic.twitter.com/3eIVAByldy

— NBA (@NBA) May 25, 2024

The playful yet strategic jab from Kidd seemed to pay off, as Doncic delivered a stellar performance, capped by his dramatic game-winning shot. The Mavericks now find themselves in a commanding position, largely thanks to the dynamic play of their star guard and the clever motivational tactics of their experienced coach.

As the series progresses, the Mavericks will continue to rely on Doncic’s exceptional talent and Kidd’s savvy leadership. With the team firing on all cylinders and morale high, Dallas fans have every reason to be optimistic about their chances of advancing to the NBA Finals.