Luka Doncic has played with some fantastic teammates over the years, ranging from Jalen Brunson and Kyrie Irving to Klay Thompson and Austin Reaves. Still, out of all his former co-stars, it seems LeBron James has left the biggest impression.
In a chat with former NBA point guard Steve Nash, he explained the experience in terms everyone could understand. James, unlike anyone else Luka has seen, sets the bar high in terms of work ethic. According to Doncic, James would show up 10 hours before a game to start his routine, outworking all of his much younger teammates.
“First of all, off the court, you know, all the things he does just to be ready for the game,” said Doncic on Uninterrupted. “And obviously on the court, everybody knows what kind of player he is. He shows up like 10 hours before the game. So I mean that was really the main like — I came to the arena, he was already done working out. I was like, what?”
Every player has their pre-game ritual, and it usually involves some mix of mental and physical preparation. While LeBron is hardly the first to take the process seriously, he takes it to another level by showing up much, much earlier than anyone else. In true Kobe-esque fashion, LeBron holds himself to the highest standard, and it’s likely what has allowed him to prosper for over 20 years (and counting).
For his part, Luka is no stranger to hard work, and he’s shown that on the Lakers, where his game has improved tenfold. Alongside LeBron, he thrived in the backcourt, averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 47.6% shooting and 36.6% shooting from three. But before Luka could follow it up in the playoffs, he went down with a season-ending injury that spelled the Lakers’ doom.
With LeBron now out of the picture, Luka can only look back and reflect on the experience of being his teammate. And, like all of LeBron’s other teammates, he cannot deny the impact he had both on the floor and in the locker room. In fact, LeBron’s championship habits are still ingrained in this Lakers team, and he will also pass them to his next team, wherever it may be.
Even at 41, regardless of where he is, James sets the example for his teammates, and he’s the ultimate leader. Besides devoting countless hours in the gym to prepare his body before games, he pays millions to ensure he doesn’t lose a step on the court. That’s not to mention his unmatched IQ of the game, giving him a mental advantage over his peers. The result is sustained greatness over 23 years, culminating in one of the greatest careers in NBA history.
The hope for Doncic is that he follows in LeBron’s footsteps. As someone who has been criticized for being out of shape in the past, using LeBron’s methods to extend and maximize his own career isn’t such a bad idea. In the process, he can lead the Lakers to contention in the West alongside Walker Kessler, Austin Reaves, and head coach JJ Redick.
