Luka Doncic got the shock of his life when the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. Doncic had not seen the move coming and now had to adjust to living in Los Angeles. It was a big culture change, and the Slovenian spoke about what he likes and dislikes about Los Angeles on the Mind the Game podcast.
“This is the first city I’ve played in that has the ocean, and I really like the ocean,” Doncic said. “After a couple of days, that was the first thing on my mind. I like it very much. The only thing is the traffic.”
Co-host LeBron James co-signed on traffic being a big headache. That would be a common complaint for anyone who lives in Los Angeles. Steve Nash, the other co-host, wondered if a character like Doncic disliked the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, but that’s not something he’s bothered by.
“Every time there is famous people watching the game sitting courtside, that’s amazing to see,” Doncic stated.”
James revealed that the first thing Doncic told him when he asked him how he was adjusting was, “I like the beach.” If there is one thing Los Angeles isn’t lacking, it’s beaches.
The Lakers also did their best to ensure that Doncic was comfortable after the move. They were very supportive and included him in various processes as well.
Despite all this, though, there was concern that Los Angeles might not be the right city for him. His father, Sasa Doncic, however, allayed those fears. Sasa stated that Doncic was born to play in Los Angeles.
“We know that Luka plays better when the pressure is bigger,” Sasa said. “I just believe that he is born for this city and this city is made for him. I won’t say literally but it fits with his character. I believe he’ll succeed there.”
Doncic has done well, for the most part, in his short time with the Lakers. The five-time All-Star averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game after being traded by the Mavericks.
Doncic helped the Lakers get the third seed in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record. They entered the playoffs with a lot of momentum, but didn’t end up going too far.
The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Lakers in five games in the first round. Doncic was criticized for his play in the series, especially on the defensive end. The 26-year-old was still the Lakers’ best player on offense, though, and finished with averages of 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
You’d expect better things next season once Doncic is fully settled in with this group, and he’s apparently been hard at work. His conditioning and weight have been big talking points, and he looked to have slimmed down when he attended a Real Madrid game in May.
That is reportedly down to Doncic modifying his diet and undergoing special training. He appears motivated to bury all the negative narratives about him next season and lead the Lakers to glory.
