LeBron James lost his 2020 NBA championship team’s partner, Anthony Davis, in a blockbuster trade that brought one of the best players in the NBA, Luka Doncic, to Los Angeles.
In return, the the Lakers are enjoying having an offensive threat in Doncic to terrify defenses night in and night out.
James explained what makes having Doncic as a teammate so exciting in another clip of the upcoming first episode of his revamped “Mind The Game” podcast. Co-host Steve Nash, another former Dallas Mavericks player, asked the big question.
“Because he plays the game how I’ve always wanted to inspire the next generation to play the game,” James said. “There’s nothing predetermined. If you have two guys on you, there’s a number’s game.
“If you have the advantage and it’s a guy that you know can’t guard you or you’re able to beat him and then the guy traps the box or another guy sinks, I’m able to make the passes, to make the reads before they happen.”
Some guys just breathe confidence. Luka has that.
Episode 1 drops TOMORROW, 9am ET.
📺: https://t.co/MTZFWW4SfT pic.twitter.com/NZTl1A6Nul— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) March 31, 2025
This duo shares a notable similarity: their ability to make other players better. Their playmaking and passing abilities open up more options for the Lakers’ offense.
After 22 years in the league, 10 trips to the NBA Finals and four championships, James is, for the first time, the second option on his team. Doncic is the star of the present and the future of this team.
The Slovenian guard was given the keys to the car by James himself. He urged Doncic to be himself instead of trying to change his game for his teammates. Doncic has a 13-8 record as a Laker, as the team is trying to get things back on track after losing four of their last six matchups.