Why Dallas Mavericks fans cannot miss Luka Doncic and Slovenia for the next 3 weeks

The Dallas Mavericks will have a close eye on European basketball over the next three weeks as Luka Doncic leads the Slovenian National Team. Slovenia starts with two World Cup qualifiers before heading to EuroBasket in September. Luka has placed them among the favorites, but that is not why their games cannot be missed.

Anybody who has been watching the friendly contests leading into these games that count knows there is plenty of drama. Basketball talent across the globe is up, and nearly every game goes down to the wire. Fans are starved for action, and the next three weeks will be a special treat.

Doncic lifted the Slovenian National Team into the Olympic semifinals before they fell to France and Australia to finish fourth in Tokyo last summer. The 23-year-old superstar is motivated to get them to the World Cup and to win EuroBasket this year. For the nation of just over 2 million people, those are massive accomplishments, but why should Mavericks fans watch?

Why Dallas Mavericks fans cannot miss Luka Doncic and Slovenia for the next 3 weeks

The Slovenian National Team has fantastic chemistry, and fans will see number 77 playing with pure joy. That alone makes it fun to watch. Luka is not afraid to pull out the highlight reel pass or put on a show with his dribbling. He knows his entire country is watching, and Doncic has no plans of disappointing.

Slovenia has a skilled team that is a joy to watch for several reasons. They will space the floor and try to play five out like the Dallas Mavericks do, and here are three reasons for every fan to tune in and enjoy their upcoming slate of games, which kicks off on Aug. 25.

Why Luka Doncic and Slovenia will be cannot miss basketball: 3. Defending their crown

Slovenia is motivated for both upcoming competitions. They failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2019, and these will be their final two qualifiers with Luka Doncic as the final two windows happen during the NBA regular season. The top three teams from each group advance and two wins are likely enough to lift Slovenia into the World Cup. Expect Doncic to be motivated to push his team into next summer’s competition.

Slovenia won EuroBasket back in 2017. It was the country's first basketball medal, and they were the smallest nation to qualify for last summer’s Olympics. What they are doing is historic, but Luka and company have no plans of stopping.

Defending their crown in EuroBasket will not be easy. Slovenia was drawn into the toughest group featuring France, Lithuania, Germany, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The top three teams from the group advance to the knockout stage. Serbia, Greece, and Spain present difficult challenges in the next phase as Slovenia attempts to repeat.

There will be plenty of wild and entertaining games for Luka Doncic and company over the next three weeks. He could play 11 times between Aug. 25 and Sept. 18. The game against Germany at EuroBasket will be special as Dirk Nowitzki will likely be on hand to watch. Expect plenty of talk between Doncic and the Tall Baller from the G as Slovenia looks to defend their crown.

Why Luka Doncic and Slovenia will be cannot miss basketball: 2. Goran and Luka

Goran Dragic is back with the Slovenian National Team for the first time since EuroBasket 2017. He retired from international competition, but Luka Doncic and his brother, Zoran, helped convince him to return for another ride. Dragic played in the two World Cup qualifiers earlier this summer, and he featured in the friendly contests leading up to Thursday’s showdown with Estonia.

Slovenia has never lost with both Luka Doncic and Goran Dragic on the court. They won EuroBasket 2017 and five games already this summer with the country's dynamic duo. Dragic was the superstar back in 2017, but he is embracing the sidekick role this year. Expect a few monster performances from the 36-year-old guard as defenses sell out to stop Luka.

Dallas Mavericks fans can dream of what could have been. Dragic has been interested in joining the team for two straight years, but the Mavs front office failed to make it happen. This summer, they failed to offer a consistent role, so the Dragon signed with the Chicago Bulls on a veteran minimum deal.

Luka Doncic and Goran Dragic have been an unstoppable duo in FIBA play. Can some team upset them in EuroBasket or does Slovenia win their second straight crown? Fans won’t want to miss a second of the action to find out.

Why Luka Doncic and Slovenia will be cannot miss basketball: 1. Luka

Watching Luka play basketball is a joy, and he brings a different energy with the Slovenian National Team. He is playing for his country, and the 23-year-old has tremendous joy to be on the court. Fans can see him smiling and laughing on the court with plenty of goofing off on the bench and in his downtime.

Doncic loves to pull out the trick shots. He does one almost daily during Slovenia’s practice, and fans can see the latest one below.

Luka makes history for his country too. He scored 48 in one game at the Olympics, which was the second-most all-time. The 23-year-old puts up massive numbers while leading his team to victories, and fans should expect nothing less over the next three weeks.

What will Doncic do that leaves fans shaking their heads? Will he have his hook shot on full display? Do fans see a new wrinkle in his game? Does he drop 50 points as he wills Slovenia to a win? Luka will produce something unbelievable that Dallas Mavericks fans will not want to miss.

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Slovenia kicks off their slate with a World Cup qualifier against Estonia on Aug. 25, and they will be busy in the weeks ahead. Do not miss a game as Luka Doncic and company look to get to the World Cup and defend their EuroBasket title.