Australia Seeks to Speed Up 'Mastermind' Luka Doncic in FIBA World Cup Match

When Australia takes on Luka Doncic and Slovenia, the goal will be clear: speed up the pace. The ability to do so could have major FIBA World Cup implications.

OKINAWA, Japan — After advancing beyond the first portion of group play at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Slovenia and Australia will face off to begin competition in Group K, involving Dallas Mavericks teammates Luka Doncic, Josh Green, and Dante Exum. The outcome of the game could have a major consequence for which team eventually advances to the quarterfinals. 

While there are important elements of each team's roster that are different from when they faced off at the Tokyo Olympic Games for the bronze medal, Slovenia's attack led by Doncic must be better than it was in the 107-93 loss. 

"They're one of the teams that will compete for a medal," said Slovenia coach Aleksander Sekulic of Austalia. "They have the athleticism and experience — I think nine NBA players — so it's going to be a very interesting game. I'm looking forward to this game."

There is no team in Okinawa with more NBA talent than Australia, requiring a diligent effort by any opponent. Slovenia is well aware of the test that lies ahead. Following the injury to Vlatko Cancar, Slovenia is down to only having Doncic in terms of active NBA players. 

"They are a very good team, great players," said Doncic after Thursday's practice when asked about Australia. "They play tough, it will be a very difficult match."

FIBA

Doncic, who is averaging 30.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 3.0 steals at the World Cup, will pose a major test for Australia. The team is confident in its game plan, but how the film room translates to the hardwood will be something to monitor. The execution of Doncic's Mavs teammate, Josh Green, will be vital as Australia's top on-ball defender.  

"We know who Luka is, and how good of a player he is," Green said, following Australia's win over Japan. "But, at the end of the day, we're gonna do our work and make sure we do our film, and we're gonna follow the game plan. There's history, but that's in the past. It's about what's gonna happen on Friday, and I think we'll be ready to go."

Australia is well aware of having to attempt to contain Doncic, but remains confident in the team's defensive versatility in order to do so. As a big guard with elite scoring and passing ability, he can pick apart a defense in pick-and-roll, by attacking mismatches, and has been used more in off-ball actions than he tends to be with the Mavs. 

"In any situation, he seems controlled in his pace, and then just absolutely skilled in any aspect of the game," Australia coach Brian Goorjian said. "He gets to the foul line, he can play in the low block, he gets everybody else involved, he can score off his own, he's powerful, he's strong — as good as it gets."

Australia hasn't had to handle a talent of Doncic's caliber yet at the World Cup, but the team has had to contain Lauri Markkanen and Yuta Watanabe. It will take a greater effort and execution, but Australia is confident in its ability to hone in on a major talent and contain it, even if it's Doncic. 

"He carries a heavy load for Slovenia, so a lot of our game plan is gonna revolve around him, just like it did with Lauri [Markkanen] and Yuta [Watanabe] tonight," Josh Giddey told ESPN Australia.

"We've had the opportunity to play against these teams where they have a superstar or an NBA player, so Luka is obviously on a different level, but we've got Josh Green, Matisse [Thybulle] — those types of guys — for that job. We'll be ready for it. Just one game at a time, and keep moving forward."

The matchup involving Australia and Slovenia is a contest between two teams with contrasting styles. Doncic is a savant in the half-court controlling the pace. Meanwhile, his next opponent likes to use its athleticism to push the tempo. 

"He's a mastermind," Patty Mills said of Doncic. "His ability to control the tempo and pace of a game is what he's good at. We must make it uncomfortable for him and get up and down the floor as quickly as we can. It's going to be 40 minutes of every possession counts."

Australia is coming off a game against Japan in which the tempo was undoubtedly in its favor. However, the team understands the challenge of managing to do so against teams with a mastery of controlling it, particularly with a talent like Doncic. 

"If we can play like we did tempo-wise and pace-wise [against Japan]. which we couldn't do against Germany — and these European teams are hard to get like that — that's our challenge tonight," Goorjian said. 

"If it can be that kind of game, our offense, it takes pressure off running plays and system and it's more free-flowing," Goorjian explained. "We need that right now where we are so far as a team."

If Australia gets stuck in the half-court, they risk being at Doncic's mercy. However, forcing Slovenia to run would take them out of the setting they operate best by forcing them to adapt on the fly. Which team will manage to prevail in managing the pace? The answer could determine the winner.