Nobody is talking about anything else in the NBA. Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers has caused a real stir in the American league. Many are speculating about the reasons why Dallas decided to send its franchise player to another team. Among so many rumors, the physical issue is the one that has gained the most weight.

Journalists and experts close to the Texas club have suggested that Doncic’s physical condition was a matter of great concern to the club’s management. Not only because of the injuries he was accumulating, but also because of his weight. In recent days, some figures have been leaked about what the former Real Madrid player might currently weigh. Something that the player has not hesitated to deny in his presentation with the Lakers.

However, he is clearly not in the best physical shape. This is a situation that is reminiscent of the one the Slovenian point guard went through a few years ago, after the start of the 2022 season.

The magic recipe

At that time, Luka Doncic was coming off a fairly intense season, culminating in the Olympic Games. This meant that he arrived somewhat overweight for the following campaign. “I had the Olympics, I took three weeks off and I relaxed a little bit. Maybe too much. I just have to get back to normal,” Luka himself admitted.

Said and done. Doncic got down to work and began a diet that, together with regular physical activity, made him lose 12 kilos (from 120 kilos at the beginning of the season to 108 in the run-up to the playoffs). The diet was as effective as it was simple. It focused on three main ingredients: chicken, rice and vegetables. This is because the Slovenian is not a big fan of fish or seafood. He also increased his strength training and added cardio sessions to his daily workouts. “I’m just eating healthier, that’s been the key for me,” explained the player when asked about his physical change.

The rice and chicken diet, which Luka Doncic followed, is one of the most popular among athletes because of its great effectiveness in losing fat and gaining muscle mass. On the one hand, chicken is a source of lean protein and rice provides constant energy for training. In addition, despite being caloric, both foods are very healthy and can help control appetite and keep the metabolism active.