For those who tuned in to “The Last Dance” during the long days of the pandemic in 2020, the level of competitiveness required to achieve greatness was on full display. The documentary famously captured Michael Jordan engaging in a friendly wager with a United Center employee, showcasing just how intense the drive to win can be.
NBA players, known for their competitive nature, often partake in friendly bets amongst themselves, whether it’s high-stakes card games on the team plane or impromptu challenges on the court. This was exactly the case for Dallas Mavericks’ star Luka Doncic during the recent “Fan Jam” open practice at the American Airlines Center.
Doncic’s jaw-dropping hook shot from nearly full-court range left his teammate, Dereck Lively II, in disbelief. In fact, the shot was so impressive that one social media user speculated that Lively had lost a hefty sum of money to Doncic on the shot. Doncic jokingly responded, claiming that Lively had lost a whopping “100k” on the bet.
While the thought of wagering such a large amount on a practice shot may seem extravagant to most, it’s important to remember that Doncic’s multi-million dollar salary puts things into perspective. With earnings exceeding $43 million this season, Doncic’s per-minute income surpasses $16,000, making $100,000 a relatively modest sum for the young star. On the other hand, Lively, still on a rookie contract, is set to earn just over $5 million in his second season with the Mavericks, making the $100k loss a more substantial hit to his wallet.
Despite the jesting banter between Doncic and Lively, their camaraderie and team chemistry remain strong, a crucial element that propelled the Mavericks to last season’s NBA Finals. While friendly bets and challenges are common among NBA players, it’s all in good fun as long as the stakes don’t get too out of hand. It’s safe to say that this won’t be the last time Doncic engages in a friendly wager with his teammates, continuing to showcase his competitive spirit both on and off the court.
following sentence in a different way:
“The cat jumped over the fence.”
“The fence was jumped over by the cat.”