“Imagine that,” Luka Doncic recalls playing against ‘crazy’ European crowd ahead of facing hostile Boston Celtics fans

TD Garden is a hostile environment for opponents, but should not be a problem for Luka Doncic.

“Imagine that,” Luka Doncic recalls playing against ‘crazy’ European crowd ahead of facing hostile Boston Celtics fans

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic played against crazy EuroLeague fans, set to face hostile Boston Celtics fans in NBA Finals

Luka Doncic knows that the Boston Celtics fans are some of the most hostile in the NBA. So much so, that one needs to have the ability to shut out the noise in order to play well at TD Garden. However, the Dallas Mavericks superstar came to the NBA from the EuroLeague. Where, according to him, the crowds are on another level.

He expanded on the question from reporter Grant Afseth in the press conference today, about facing hostile crowds by saying;

Yeah, it was I remember it, it was quarterfinals of EuroLeague against Panathinaikos in Panathinaikos. The crowd went crazy. They started winning 20-0. Imagine that.
Luka Doncic in the press conference today

The Panathinaikos fans that he referred to are one example of how hostile it can get in a basketball stadium in Europe. His own Real Madrid fans are no slouch.

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In Europe, especially in the playoffs, the atmosphere is at its extremes. Way before the games begin, fans pack the arena and sign their team’s anthems and light flares while waving flags and banners. Especially for away opponents, it is a daunting task as those fans will be loud when an opponent does something to offend them.

In comparison, the maximum that happens in NBA arenas is taunts and trash talk. Or at the max booing. But Luka Doncic has experienced much more as a teenager. It seems Boston Celtics fans will be a cakewalk for him in comparison.

Luka Doncic is embracing his first NBA finals appearance

For Luka Doncic, this is his first trip to the NBA Finals. At 25 years old, the former EuroLeague champion and MVP has made it to the hallowed grounds. He expressed that feeling in words when Houston Rockets forward Jabari Parker Jr. asked him how he felt.

Amazing. First time here, hopefully it’s not the last time. But never take it for granted. You never know if you’re gonna come back, so just enjoy the experience.

Luka Doncic in the press conference today

Doncic knows that this feeling of being in an NBA Finals is itself making history. Considering his age, he would like to return to it in the future.

Luka Doncic knows he has his championship-winning superstar, Kyrie Irving alongside him. He also knows that he has his championship-winning head coach, Jason Kidd to give him advice as the game goes on. But he also knows that he has to bring his EuroLeague winning gameplay against the Boston Celtics.

Then only can he finish this season as an NBA Champion. Add a Finals MVP to that and he will be regarded as one of the best players to ever play the game. The Dallas Mavericks superstar will etch his name in the record books.

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