The Slovenian player Luka doncic, author of 48 points that equal the second best individual record in a game in the history of the Olympic Games In the match in which Slovenia won 100-118, he said that he is not worried about records, but that his goal was to win.
“I’m not worried about the records, we wanted a victory and that’s what we came for. It doesn’t matter, I think we had already won the match, it doesn’t matter,” said the Slovenian outsider after the match at the Saitama Super Arena, when asked if he had preferred to stay longer on the court to break the record.
The 48 points that Doncic endorsed the Argentine team equal those that the Australian Eddie palubinskas scored before Mexico in a game of the Games of Montreal 1978 (120-117).
The maximum record so far was that established by the Brazilian Oscar Schmidt, who scored 55 points in a match against Spain of the group stage of the Games of Seoul 1988, finished with 118-110.
Doncic I consider that Argentina he was a “difficult” opponent. “We played a good game, we watched a lot of video, they have great players, it was a tough game, and I think we did a good attack and also a great defense,” he analyzed.
Today’s match marked the Slovenian national team’s debut in the Olympic basketball tournament. “It is a very special moment, not only for me, but also for our team, they are our first Games, we won the first game and it is very special for everyone,” he added.
Doncic was asked whether, as a result of the victory on Sunday in France against United States (83-76), teams from the rest of the world have lost respect for the American team.
“Of course we respect them, but I think everyone comes to win at this tournament, in the end only one does. Everyone wants to win,” he said.
For the Slovenian player of the Dallas mavericks playing in the Games “is not the same” as doing it in the NBA, but his attitude is. “It’s a game, I try to do everything to win, you have to give everything, sometimes you will play better, sometimes worse, but that is the goal,” he said.
Doncic it is one of the stars of these Olympic Games. “I feel good, it is amazing to see all the sports that compete in the games, there are a lot of people. I feel good, I am delighted to be among the stars of the games,” he replied.
Asked if he is one of the players that the rest of the athletes stop the most to be photographed in the Olympic Village, to the point that some of his teammates have said that they need two hours to eat because of the number of people who try to photograph themselves with him , Doncic assured that it is not the most required of his building.
“I think I’ll be the second most asked for photos, behind (Novak) Djokovic“he said with a laugh Doncic. Slovenian and Serbian athletes share a building in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Village.