By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
“This is what dreams look like, apparently”. Luka Doncic must have thought about this for quite a while now, being only one day away from the friendly game against the team that has given him the opportunity to demonstrate his talent to the world, playing for his current team in the NBA.
Tomorrow at 20:45 CET the Dallas Mavericks will play one of their preseason games against Real Madrid in the WiZink Center, where the Slovenian phenomenon started to make his basketball steps. On the eve of such an anticipated appointment, Luka Doncic has been praised by Real Madrid‘s prominent figures.
To present the friendly encounter, an event featuring Director of Institutional Relations of Real Madrid Emilio Butragueño, Chus Mateo, Rudy Fernández, Felipe Reyes, Dallas Mavericks‘ General Manager Nico Tyrone Harrison, and Luka Doncic was organized.
Emilio Butragueño opened up the speech. “It is a great honor for Real Madrid to be able to face one of the biggest clubs in the world of basketball. It causes great emotion for all Real Madrid fans and all of us who love basketball. It’s going to be a very special day for all Madrid fans. One of the great idols of basketball and world sport, our beloved Luka Doncic, returns home”, Real Madrid’s legend said.
“Thank you for becoming Real Madrid’s ambassador in the United States and around the world. We get excited when you share our football and basketball triumphs. You have grown, you have been trained and you have taken with you the values that are transmitted at Real Madrid forever. Today you are one of the great references of the NBA. You know very well how much we love you and tomorrow you will see it when you go out on the field. Tomorrow we will welcome you as a legend and honorary member of Real Madrid”, he then directly said to the former Real Madrid player.
Despite the excitement about the appointment, Kyrie Irving won’t be part of the game as announced by Dallas Mavericks’ head coach Jason Kidd. As reported by Marc Stein, the former Brooklyn Nets guard “missed the second of two games in Abu Dhabi due to left groin soreness and will be rested again Tuesday night”.
👋 ¡Bienvenido a casa, @luka7doncic! 🏠 pic.twitter.com/bhf3Mdbk8Y
— Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) October 9, 2023
PHOTO CREDIT: Real Madrid Baloncesto / Helios de la Rubia