Jazz alum says the quiet part out loud about Luka Doncic

There's been a lot of hype surrounding Luka Doncic and his newfound physique. Doncic is already one of the NBA's best players, so his slimmed-down body could be a massive break for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Utah Jazz alum Kyle Collinsworth said something that everyone should keep in mind this coming season about Doncic: he has to prove he can maintain his slimmed-down figure.

Collinsworth didn't say that verbatim, but he compared Doncic's new physique to Ben Simmons' offseason workout videos of him making threes.

For context, Simmons would face regular criticism for his outright refusal to shoot threes for years. To try to silence the doubters, there would always be offseason workout videos where he would show off his three-point shot. This tradition has only continued this summer.

The dirty little secret is that Simmons can actually hit three-point shots, but chooses not to when he takes the floor in the NBA because he lacks confidence in taking them. Just because Simmons can hit them in an empty gym does not mean he can automatically do the same when he's facing an NBA defense.

While Doncic losing weight isn't the exact same thing as Simmons' three-point mental block, it's not too far off from being the same problem. Collinsworth's words emphasize that while the Lakers star can get in shape, staying in shape is a different beast altogether.

That's because it's true. There have been NBA players who struggle with weight issues that get themselves into excellent shape, but when the season begins, for some reason, they struggle to maintain their good shape throughout the season. Doncic isn't exactly under the same umbrella, as he's simply never consistently taken his conditioning seriously. It's only been exposed to be a problem now.

Karl Malone vs. Charles Barkley debate is a good example of Doncic's problem

Recently, the debate of who was better between Malone and Barkley resurfaced when Richard Jefferson said Malone was the best NBA player to never win a title. Regardless of who was better, what is undeniable between the two sides is that Malone's prime lasted longer.

That's because Malone took his conditioning seriously from start to finish while Barkley struggles with maintaining his weigh throughout his career. When Malone won his first MVP in 1997, Barkley finished 16th in MVP voting. Malone went on to win another one in 1999, while Barkley was on his way out of the league.

That's the problem with stars who don't take their physical fitness seriously on a consistent basis. Their teams don't reach their full potential or their primes are cut short. Barkley may have been more talented than Malone, but Malone stayed among the league's best for as long as possible.

Doncic will have the same challenge for the rest of his career. Good for him for committing to a tougher exercise regimen and a stricter diet, but Collinsworth is right to point out that the Lakers star now have to prove it will stay that way.