Jeanie Buss is part of a legacy that saw the NBA reach its pinnacle in popular culture and social acceptability. The Los Angeles Lakers have played a pivotal role in shaping the league that fans adore today.
A significant part of the Lakers’ success has been their ability to consistently attract the biggest stars or develop the most talented players in the league. The latest entrant, Luka Doncic, also has the same expectations on his shoulders, and the Lakers owner sees him achieving them in style.
“He just looked comfortable… His focus was on basketball instead of something else being in the back of his mind. He’s less burdened; he’s got clarity. …He knows where he wants to be. He knows where he is now,” the 63-year-old owner told The Athletic.
According to Buss, Doncic will recreate the magic that previous superstars have done with the storied franchise.
“The idea that he is a Laker— it connects us. It’s a global thread… I can’t think of a better representation of Laker basketball than Luka and what he brings to the game. To see it in a different context, a European tournament, it just feels very similar to Kobe or LeBron in the Olympics or Magic Johnson with the Dream Team,” Buss added.
Johnson, who won five titles with the Lakers from 1980 to 1988, averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and a whopping 11.2 assists in his LA career.
Kobe Bryant also won five titles with the Lakers, averaging 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists through 20 seasons in LA.
LeBron James, the most recent superstar to win a ring with the Lakers, arrived at the franchise towards the latter phase of his career. But even he has won them a championship, while averaging 26.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists during the regular season.
Bryant was more of a pure scorer and took matters into his hands whenever required. Johnson was, and James is, more of a facilitator than a scorer, and their passing abilities and court vision have been elite.
Doncic falls somewhere in the middle of all three legends. He’s a fantastic scorer and iso-player, but he’s also shown glimpses of passing greatness. Doncic also has the opportunity to impact James’ legacy with the Lakers.
Decades ago, Magic Johnson did a similar collaboration with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was also towards the tail-end of his career. But still one of the best centers in the game. James might be able to enhance his standing amongst the Lakers’ greats with another championship win.
Doncic was traded to the Lakers on February 2, 2025, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. Having played a part of the last season, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists over 28 games. Surely, it is a trailer for what is to come in Los Angeles.
The three legends that Buss has named have had stellar careers with the Lakers, and to put that pressure on Doncic is fair, given his ability to take over games, but whether he’ll actually be able to do it remains to be seen.
