When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic, one of the biggest questions was how he would coexist with LeBron James. Both are ball-dominant superstars with similar playing styles, but so far, that concern hasn’t been much of an issue.
The Lakers are 3-2 in games Doncic has played, and in those matchups, he’s averaging 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists on 38.1% shooting. His numbers aren’t at his usual level yet, but in their last two matchups against the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks, he looked more comfortable and started to resemble his usual self.
LeBron was previously recorded telling Doncic during his debut to fit out and not fit in, essentially encouraging him to play his own game without overthinking adjustments. Now, LeBron is doubling down on that mindset, making it clear that it’s on him and the rest of the team to adapt and let Doncic be Doncic.
Per ESPN:
“Just want him to be himself — when he gets back to himself,” James told ESPN. “Obviously, he’s been out since Christmas and I think he told me or said it to us, that’s the most he’s ever been out since he started playing basketball — because of an injury. Obviously, it’s not going to happen overnight, but I believe that in order for us to ultimately be the team that we want to be with him here, he has to have the ball, he has to be able to put us all in position, he has to be him. The seven years that we’ve seen in the NBA with Luka, we want that Luka.
“So we all have to transform our game for the betterment of him, obviously. But it’s not going to happen overnight. We know that. But my message has been, ‘Just be you. You don’t have to confine [your game] to us. We need to figure it out with you.’ Whatever he needs, I’m here. So, whatever he needs.”
LeBron knows how to play with other stars, having teamed up with players of different styles and winning championships with most of them. Now, he’s learning to play alongside Doncic and adjusting once again. This time, he’s emphasizing his outside shooting to fit seamlessly with him.
“I’ve worked on my outside shot and my catch-and-shoot game for quite a while now to be able to sync up with someone like Luka,” James told ESPN.
