The Los Angeles Lakers comfortably won their matchup, 121-111, against the Charlotte Hornets as the purple and gold franchise went down to Spectrum Arena in North Carolina. Luka Doncic led the team with 38 points, along with six rebounds and seven assists, shooting 50% from the field and 33% from the three-point line.
Doncic’s rise to superstar status in the NBA is no coincidence, given how hard he’s working to get to the next level. But it is his off-court behavior that is making him a fan favorite on the internet.
Mychal Thompson, a two-time championship-winning Lakers center and also the father of Doncic’s former teammate, Klay Thompson, was among those astonished by Doncic’s gesture for fans.
Before the Lakers’ game against the Hornets on Monday night, the former Dallas Mavericks point guard was seen giving autographs and signing articles for fans standing outside the Spectrum Center.
Thompson saw this and was thoroughly impressed with the way Doncic handled this moment. He posted a video on X showing Doncic outside the arena and appreciated his humility.
“Look at Luka…he’s doin’ it AGAIN…The dude is RIDICULOUS…Ridiculously KIND…I mean…Wat other NBA…No…SPORTS SUPERSTAR, take the time to do THIS for the fans? Name ONE,” the former Lakers’ center posted.
Thompson was also seen interacting with fans, who agreed with his sentiment and even put a stamp of approval on his future with the Lakers.
“I can almost guarantee this dude is gonna go down in the same class as the elite of the elite Laker legends. Magic, Kobe, Shaq, Kareem, those kinds of guys. Hope he wins on the same level as those guys, too,” said an X user.
“Oh, he will for sure be a Laker Legend,” said the 70-year-old former center.
Again, his positive impression of the former Mavericks player comes not just from his on-field prowess, but also from the way he’s carried himself off the court.
Doncic has always gone a step ahead to make sure he can be there for his fans in whatever capacity necessary. When he had just moved to the Lakers, the LA Fires had ravaged the city, and he was among the first players to pledge a sum to help the cause.
The Slovenian superstar donated $500,000 towards the wildfire relief fund via his foundation. It was specifically aimed at rebuilding courts, playgrounds, and fields for kids.
Even when Kobe and GiGi Bryant’s mural was vandalized in LA, Doncic came forward and donated $5,000 to restore the famous cultural tribute for the Lakers fanbase.
Now all he needs to do for the city is bring it back to winning ways. After the championship win in the bubble, the team has struggled to make a deep playoff run, and with LeBron James getting closer to retirement each season, fans want them to get it done sooner rather than later.
