Slovenia head coach Aleksander Sekulic came into Luka Doncic’s defense as emotions got the best of the star guard that led to his premature exit in their eventual loss to Canada in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 quarterfinals,
“It’s difficult to play a game [where] you get hit constantly. All game long. It’s difficult to control the emotions,” he said moments after their 80-71 defeat at the Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday night.
“We work a lot on it this, but it’s very difficult.”
The 24-year-old met their opponents at center court shortly after the final buzzer sounded but was already in slippers. He got booted out of the game still with 6:37 remaining in the affair after incurring his second technical foul of the night.
Doncic, who left with a game-high 25 points, did admit that he “complained a lot” to the referees, but felt that they became unfair.
“A lot of times I don’t control myself which I’m having problems with but you know, the referees told one of the guys ‘we’re not gonna call a foul on him because he’s coming at us.’ I think this is not fair,” he alleged,
“I know I complained a lot but I don’t think it’s fair. They’ve been playing very physical with me, but if you say that, it’s not fair.”
Sekulic understands where his main man’s frustrations comes from.
“He has the ball a lot in his hands, and it’s frustrating for Luka,” he said.
“You get tired from this. It’s very difficult. I don’t know if you could be in this situation and understand this, but it’s very difficult. That’s why the emotions come out. I know it’s not great, it doesn’t look good, but it’s very, very difficult,” continued Sekulic.
“And that’s why it makes Luka so special because he’s a great player and it’s tough to guard him in a legal way.”
Doncic, though, refuses to pin the blame solely on how the calls went, saying that everything starts from him if they are to place themselves in a position to be successful, which, unfortunately, they weren’t able to do against the Canadians.
The loss kept Slovenia in search of its first semifinal appearance in the World Cup, which Canada has accomplished for its own program following the victory.
“It starts with me and I got to be better for my team,” said the Dallas Mavericks’ centerpiece.
“With all the emotions, like I say, playing for your country, you’re gonna give your best and you wanna die out there. It’s starts with me for sure.”
