Luka Dončić challenges Rudy Gobert: "I like when a center defends me"

Luka Doncic recently returned to Dallas, where he was honored by his former team with an emotional tribute video. Among the images, there was one that particularly impacted him: his game-winning three-pointer over Rudy Gobert in last year's Western Conference Finals. Now, the Los Angeles Lakers star is gearing up to open his first playoff series with the L.A. team, facing off against the Minnesota Timberwolves this Saturday in the series opener.

Doncic doesn't hide his excitement at the prospect of facing the French center again. "Since I entered the league, I like playing pick-and-roll. I enjoy being guarded by a center," the Slovenian stated. Gobert, with his 7'1" height and four Defensive Player of the Year awards, represents exactly the kind of challenge that Doncic relishes.

The Lakers' head coach, JJ Redick, knows well how his star player thinks. "He believes that there's no one in the world who can defend him. And he takes those matchups very seriously," he explained. Throughout the week, the team has worked intensively to prepare for the series. On Tuesday, the players gathered at the immersive theater Cosm Los Angeles to watch the play-in tournament game between the Warriors and the Grizzlies. Prior to the game, Redick delivered a motivational speech that didn't go unnoticed.

"JJ turned into the inspiring coach. I asked him how many times he rehearsed it, and he said zero, he spoke from the heart," Austin Reaves recounted. Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent highlighted the coach's clear message: "It's time to take everything to another level."

Doncic shares that vision. Averaging 30.9 points per game in the playoffs — surpassed only by Michael Jordan's 33.5 — he feels at home during this time of the year. "I like the important games. In the playoffs, everyone plays at 100%. It's very fun to be there."

Despite switching teams since last season, Doncic hasn't overlooked the changes that Minnesota has undergone, such as trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. "Obviously, they've added two players who can play very well, and they have Ant (Anthony Edwards). They have many capable players, many who can defend. They are a very interesting team," he analyzed.

But the Wolves aren't the typical opponent in a series between the third and sixth seed. They closed the season with a record of 17-4 in their last 21 games, reaching 49 wins, just one less than the Lakers. Now, Los Angeles will need to win four games in a best-of-seven series.

However, Doncic remains confident. "I think we have a great team. There are players willing to give it their all. We're all united, the chemistry is excellent. I'm convinced that we have a real chance to win the championship."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Luka Doncic desafía a Rudy Gobert: “Me gusta que un pívot me defienda”