The Los Angeles Lakers have been building around Luka Doncic since the moment they traded for him, but things will be different with LeBron James gone. King James was the face of the Lakers. He helped LA win a championship in 2020 and is one of the all-time greats. Luka is taking over as the best and most popular player, and fans will finally get to see why Mavericks supporters adored Doncic so much.
Luka as the alpha fits differently. His joy on the basketball court and desire to make everyone around him better is contagious. There are no better moments than when number 77 is smiling after a made basket or dishing out some playful trash talk. LeBron is a showman who energizes an entire building, but Luka's big moments hit different. There is an added level of drama created by his joy and ability to get the opposing team on edge.
The Lakers built the roster around Doncic this summer and plan to do so as long as Rob Pelinka is in charge. Eight players departed, including LeBron, this summer. This is Luka’s team, and everyone is just now seeing what hooked Mavericks fans so deeply.
Luka Doncic is already showcasing his leadership with the Lakers
Doncic paid for the entire team to visit his home country of Slovenia. It is not uncommon for NBA teams to have a summer minicamp to bond before the long season, but this one hit different. Every player was invited, and Luka wanted an overseas trip, as it helped the 2024 Mavericks bond into a Western Conference champion.
He is already showing all his teammates that he cares about them and wants them to succeed. King James spent years bringing back role players he knew and had success with. Luka is comfortable taking players to the next level.
Luka Doncic enhances his role players
Mavericks fans loved that he turned Dorian Finney-Smith, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber, and Dwight Powell into playoff difference-making role players. None of these players were the same after leaving Luka. His ability to create open looks and use his next-level basketball IQ to read the game helped every one of them reach a new level.
Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, and Quentin Grimes all feel like players who could reach new heights playing off Luka. He will create wide-open looks and put them in positions for their defense to shine.
Mavericks fans fell in love with these role players, and they felt like their guys because of Luka. He gets the most out of everyone, which lets his team be greater than the sum of their parts.
Luka Doncic gives his team a shot to win every night
Fans got a glimpse of this in March when the Lakers went 15-2 and looked like one of the best teams in the NBA. Sadly, Doncic and Austin Reaves were injured in the same game after this incredible stretch, and Luka missed the rest of the season.
Doncic has led the NBA in scoring two of the last three years. He is a walking bucket, but Lakers fans haven’t seen the otherworldly passing as much. Doncic is not afraid to bust out the no-look or the behind-the-back pass to find an open teammate. The flair coupled with his skill made Mavericks fans fall in love.
Luka made Dallas exit a rebuild in his second NBA season. They reached the NBA Finals in 2024, played in two conference finals, and made four playoff appearances in five years with Doncic as their alpha. The moment he left, the Mavericks went right back into a rebuild.
Doncic was the straw that stirred their drink. He made everyone better and could single-handedly win a game if he had to.
Mavericks fans still love Luka Doncic
Many Mavericks fans abandoned the franchise after the Doncic trade. Even franchise GOAT Dirk Nowitzki pulled back from the only franchise he ever played for. It wasn’t just making a bad trade. It was parting with a superstar that fans loved.
Lakers fans will finally see that player. It is difficult to describe how Luka Doncic can just touch fans' hearts differently. You learn to love his brilliance, trash talk, scoring, playmaking, and joy for the game. Even when he’s barking at the referees or missing a defensive assignment, fans will defend him because he’s their guy. Doncic becomes your ride-or-die. The only one you want to go to bat with or to take the final shot with the game on the line.
Los Angeles Lakers fans are just starting to see a different Luka Doncic. He is unquestionably the best and most important player this season. LeBron James is gone, and Luka’s new franchise will find out exactly why Mavericks fans loved number 77 so much. Things will hit different in the best way possible.
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