LeBron James, Luka Dončić are thinking about the first season of Lakers: “ I have never played with a guy like this ”
The first year of the LeBron James and Luka Doncic partnership did not end the way the Lakers would have liked when they fell in the first round of the Timberwolves in Minnesota qualifiers. But that did not harm the fact that always has an incredibly brilliant future in front of him with Dončić wearing purple and gold.
Dončić was exchanged shocking with the Lakers in February of the Dallas Mavericks after having led this team to the NBA final in 2024. It was a discordant adjustment for the Slovenian superstar, although it was better when he was adapted next to James, someone he said for a long time that his favorite player grew.
“It’s great, I have never played with a guy like this,” said Dončić in an episode of the Podcast Mind The Game with James and Steve Nash. “Being exchanged in Los Angeles was different, but to be able to play with guys like him, it’s incredible. I can learn so many things, first out of the field, everything he does to be ready for the game. And obviously on the field, everyone knows what kind of player he is.”
Dončić joked saying that one of the greatest things he has noticed since he played with James is how much he is attentive in his preparation for each match.
“First of all, he presents himself as 10 hours before the match,” said Dončić. “It was really the essential, as I said to myself:” What? “I came to the arena and he had already finished working.”
It was this level of dedication of James who allowed him to play for 22 years in the NBA while operating at a level all leagues. But the admiration goes in both directions, James showing an appreciation of the ability of Dončić to manipulate the defense, no matter who is forced to keep it.
“It’s always his rhythm, and it has always been his rhythm,” said James. “He moves at his own pace, and he was never on the ground where he allowed someone to dictate where he will put him on the ground. It is always the opposite, and for us, we all work. We must remain ready.”
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James then detailed how special the ability of Dončić.
“Obviously, we have seen throughout his career, there are pieces and passes that only some guys in the history of the League have ever been able to do, and for us, we must simply make sure that we continue to stay ready,” said James. “Especially when you go against the comfortable teams, the sports teams and the teams trying to accelerate you. We must always keep your head on a pivot, because you never know when the ball can find you, and it’s a good thing. It’s keeping the unbalanced defense, and it’s a good thing to have that.”
James’ chemistry with Dončić did not take long to train after the 26 -year -old joined the Lakers. With him in a trailer, the Lakers climbed in the ranking in the West to finish with a file of 50-32 for place n ° 3 in the playoffs. Although the Timberwolves have spoiled the dreams of the Lakers to win a championship this summer, it was a perfect introduction into what next season and the years beyond will look like Dončić in the team.
James can only be there for a few more seasons before deciding to retire, but the quantity of knowledge that he can lend to Dončić will help him and to the Lakers for many years beyond when the quarter of champion decides to retire. We have already seen part of this this season, and Dončić seems to take note of the additional work that James puts to stay at peak performance levels.
We will see if this part of James’s habits detect on Dončić. If this is the case, this will only make his game at a different level.
