It took him a few weeks, but finally, he started to smile, to enjoy what would have been a dream come true for anyone, playing for the Lakers. The trade to Los Angeles caught Luka Doncic off guard, he couldn't hide it even during his flashy presentation next to the mastermind behind it all, General Manager Rob Pelinka. He didn't even suspect it, as it meant leaving what he already felt like home, the team he had led to the NBA Finals, and because the move raised doubts about his physical condition and work ethic.
But once he processed it, it was only a matter of time before everything started to flow, before two geniuses like Luka and LeBron James met on the court. His fourth night, facing the Nuggets last Saturday, seemed too perfect. A resounding victory on the court of Nikola Jokic's team, the one that had been frustrating them so much, the same team that had eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs in the first round (and also in the previous ones: the record was terrible, with 13 losses in their last 14 encounters). Doncic scored 32 points (plus 10 assists, seven rebounds...), something he hadn't achieved since December 15, all in just 30 minutes.
"I finally felt like myself, that's why I was smiling," confirmed the Slovenian. This little Big Bang has a backstory. Emotional, with JJ Redick's advice on Doncic's attitude on the court, the "blackout moment," in the coach's words. And physical: as revealed by guru Sams Charania, during the All-Star days (which Luka didn't participate in due to missing more games than expected because of his calf injury), he worked diligently on his body. That week of focus in a venue in the Mexican town of Cabo San Lucas (Baja California) was accompanied by Scott Brooks, a 90s NBA point guard and one of the Lakers' assistant coaches. The goal was to be ready for the remainder of a season with only one objective: "Winning the championship."
Against the Nuggets, Doncic not only showed his usual self in the numbers (four three-pointers out of nine, after missing 21 out of 24 in his previous three games). "That's the Luka I know. The killer," praised a impressed Redick on how his new player has connected with his teammates. From the very beginning, there seems to be a chemistry between Luka and LeBron: "We have a lot to improve on that, but every day will be better." "I'm a natural open receiver, and he's a natural quarterback, so it fits perfectly. I've been running on the court all my life, and he's been throwing great passes all his life. It's not hard to get into a rhythm when you have that kind of connection. It's all about eye contact," explained James.
Everyone was pleased to see the unleashed version of the former Real Madrid player, celebrating, gesturing, and even arguing with the referees. "Once he started hitting those step-back threes, he started yelling and barking, whether at the fans, us, or himself," LeBron congratulated.
The Lakers, fourth in the West (competing to finish second, as the Thunder are already out of reach), aim to secure their third consecutive victory and this Tuesday they host a Mavericks team without Anthony Davis at the Crypto Arena. It will be one of the most special nights in Doncic's career, the first time in his life facing a former team (beyond the friendly match of Dallas at the Palacio de Madrid). A moment to verify if the momentum is real, if Doncic is truly himself now. Will the feelings towards Kyrie Irving and the former teammates he worked so hard with prevail, or will the desire to prove himself against the singled-out Nico Harrison, the General Manager who chose his departure instead of offering him a historic and lucrative renewal, be stronger?
A duel in which LeBron, at 40 years old, will get even closer to another historic milestone. With 49,894 points (including regular season and playoff points), he is only 106 points away from becoming the first player to reach 50,000 in history. Just a matter of days.