Luka Doncic entered the NBA in 2018, viewing LeBron James as his idol. During their first matchup, Doncic was eager enough to ask James for his jersey on the court. After that game, he made his way to the Lakers’ locker room to collect it, a memorable moment for the young player. James had inscribed a message on the jersey: “Strive for greatness,” a phrase that has long represented his philosophy in the league.
Fast forward nearly seven years, and both players are poised to achieve even more greatness together. The recent trade that brought Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers while sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks has established a dynamic new duo for James. Throughout his career, he has forged powerful partnerships with other stars, including Kyrie Irving, Dwyane Wade, and Davis. Now, Doncic joins that exclusive group. The question remains: Will this partnership flourish? The ultimate judgment will come from whether they can translate their talent into championships.
James has already experienced success with previous teammates. He and Irving secured a title in Cleveland, while he and Wade captured two championships in Miami. Together with Davis, James also clinched a championship for the Lakers during the 2020 season in the Orlando bubble. As Doncic steps into this arrangement, there’s an implicit expectation for him to contribute significantly to their pursuit of a championship.
Reflecting on his first encounter with James back in 2018, Doncic expressed the significance of that moment. “It was something special for me, for sure. I looked up to him as my idol,” he reminisced, highlighting the importance of that experience in his career. The Lakers are undoubtedly hopeful that the combination of Doncic and James will lead to many more memorable moments in the future.
The trade was finalized shortly after a standout performance from James at Madison Square Garden, where he scored 33 points, delivered 12 assists, and grabbed 11 rebounds, leading the Lakers to victory against the New York Knicks. James accomplished this remarkable feat, becoming just the second player in history to reach that stat line at MSG, joining the legendary Oscar Robertson, who did so in the 1960s.
Even at 40 years old, James continues to demonstrate an unparalleled level of skill and resilience, tying Michael Jordan for the most games scoring 30 points or more since turning 40. He has averaged 25 points per game during this period and is creating history by holding more triple-doubles at this age than any other player in their 40s in NBA history.
Now, he gains a versatile 25-year-old teammate in Doncic, whose style of play resonates with James. “I love everything about his game,” he stated in 2022. “We’re just triple threats. We rebound. We pass, which is the No. 1 thing on our mind… And we will put 40 on you, too, if you disrespect us.”
Doncic’s talent is exceptionally unique, as he has achieved records that are nearly unprecedented in the league. He is one of only two players in NBA history to record a triple-double while scoring 60 points, along with James Harden. Additionally, he is among just four players who have netted at least 73 points in a single game and ranks third in all-time scoring average behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.
Now, as teammates, James and Doncic form what could be considered a Batman and Robin dynamic, united to chase immediate success. James’ impressive longevity in the league can be attributed to his rigid focus on fitness and discipline. The Lakers hope that some of James’ work ethic inspires Doncic to elevate his approach to physical conditioning, given that Doncic has appeared less consistently in peak shape despite his outstanding statistical output.
Interestingly, James seemed to hint at this connection over the years, as he often selected Doncic for his All-Star teams, affectionately dubbing him “Luka Magic.” Their camaraderie grew during those games, as they sat together and warmed up side by side. Doncic has consistently acknowledged his admiration for James, stating, “He’s the best.”
When Doncic went to retrieve that signed jersey years ago, he didn’t quite make it into the Lakers’ locker room. Today, however, he is welcomed inside as a member of the team. A new jersey awaits him, bearing a different name and number than the one from 2018, yet the message remains unchanged. The Lakers have brought Doncic on board to strive for greatness alongside LeBron James.
