There should be no surprise; rust and comfortability play a part when a player returns to an NBA floor after a hiatus of several weeks. Luka Dončić‘s start with the Los Angeles Lakers has not exactly hit the ground running. If you’ve watched the first three games Luka has laced up for, there has been no takeoff whatsoever. The former Maverick’s superstar pinpoints it to rust, and rightfully so. Dončić has not played real basketball since December 25th, the same day he got injured. However, while rust certainly plays a role in the sluggish start, there are other factors that LeBron James pointed to that should be considered.
LeBron James Pinpoints Luka Dončić’s Slow Start With Lakers
Luka Dončić’s Rough Beginnings with Lakers Come Down to Time and Adjusting
After the 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night, the Lakers first game following the All-Star break, Luka admitted to still feeling rusty. You can see it in his game—the second game against the Utah Jazz and then against Charlotte—his legs are just not there. This was something that ESPN’s NBA senior writer Brian Windhorst highlighted on First Take this morning. He pointed to the fact that Luka is standing around on the floor and continuing to give the ball up to either LeBron or Austin Reaves. However, while the legs are a definite issue, there are others that LeBron highlighted in the postgame media session (Twitter link).
“It’s his 3rd game since Christmas, and it’s his 3rd game with us. He still doesn’t know all the plays, all the defensive coverages, and all the signals that we’ve built since September. Obviously, we’re trying to fast-track it on the fly. He’s coming back from his injuries, getting back into form, so we’re all working through it together.”
“It deflated us a bit, losing a big piece like that.”
LeBron James speaks with the media on Austin Reaves’ ejection, and some other topics after the Lakers’ 100-97 loss to the Hornets. pic.twitter.com/c5Amq4Ck8g
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 20, 2025
Fast-Tracking With Tough Schedule Ahead
LeBron’s isn’t wrong about “fast-tracking” the process. The Lakers currently hold the fifth seed in the West, sandwiched between the Clippers and Rockets. The goal is obviously to make the playoffs, entering as a mid to top-seed. The greater hope, or at least it should be their greater hope, is to finish with a seed that avoids the Denver Nuggets for as many rounds as possible. That said, integrating Luka into the fold—the plays, signals, coverages, etc.—that LeBron mentions will have to happen without much time to stop and linger over any of them. Luka is in a position where learning on the fly is the only option.
Losing to the Hornets was a disappointment, and the Lakers draw the Portland Trail Blazers tonight on the road. The next stretch of matchups includes the Nuggets, Mavericks, Timberwolves, Clippers (twice), Knicks, and the Celtics. Suffice it to say that it will be tough sledding ahead. To make it tougher, the month of March isn’t kind to the Lakers either. They face the Bucks twice, Nuggets twice, Warriors, Grizzlies, and the Rockets.
The Rust Has to Fall Off
Whatever rust buildup Luka carries with him needs to start falling off soon. To further Windhorst’s point, Luka must accept being the number one option. With no disrespect to LeBron, but with Anthony Davis gone, LeBron alone is not enough. Luka has to step into the role the Lakers brought him there to fill: the number one option. In the playoffs, they’ll go as far as he takes them.
© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
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