LeBron James is giving Luka Doncic major credit for his offseason work. On the latest episode of Mind the Game, the Lakers star said he’s noticed big improvements in Luka’s conditioning and recovery after watching him compete at EuroBasket this summer, even joking that he might take a few training tips from his new teammate.
“He looks good,” LeBron said. “I watched a lot of EuroBasket this summer and I watched his team a lot. He looks a little quicker, a little more functional. More importantly what I think a lot of people won’t see is the recovery now. When your body is in top-tier shape and you feel so much better… it’s not like Luka’s game is gonna change. Obviously I’m proud of him but he doesn’t need to hear it from me. It’s what he wanted to do for himself and that’s the only thing that matters. I need to get on his regimen a little bit, I’ma take some tips from him.”
James and Doncic became teammates last February, in the trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. It was an unexpected partnership that set big expectations right away, but they’ve embraced the challenge so far. In their first stretch together, Doncic and James led the Lakers to the third seed in the West (50-32) before being eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round.
Going into next season, the Lakers are expected to take a big step up with Doncic leading the way. After being blamed and exposed for being out of shape and overweight, Luka has committed to getting himself in peak physical form and the results have been impressive so far. In EuroBasket this year, he ranked first in scoring with averages of 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game on 45.5% shooting. Teammates and coaches raved about his game while lauding his growth as a leader and competitor.
He’s lighter, slimmer, and quicker on the court and that means his game is more lethal than ever as a five-time all-star, five-time All-NBA player, and former scoring champion. While his game will likely stay the same, his newfound commitment to conditioning will ensure he can play longer and perform more consistently over the long regular season. So far, while a Finals victory has eluded him so far, Doncic is hopeful to return there next summer with his new body, new team, and new approach to the game itself.
For their part, the Lakers have already gone out of their way to try and build up the roster. With signings such as Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia, they have the pieces in place to help Doncic have his best season ever and LeBron James will be ready to step up as his overqualified sidekick. Only time will tell us how this saga ends, but the feeling in Los Angeles right now is hopeful.
The bond between LeBron and Luka is quickly becoming one of the NBA’s most fascinating storylines. Both players are at different stages of their careers, yet they share the same obsession with improvement and winning. If Luka’s offseason grind really pays off, this Lakers team might be more dangerous than anyone expects. And if LeBron’s praise is any indication, he believes it’s only a matter of time before Doncic takes his place among the game’s all-time greats.
