Luka Doncic embraced by LeBron James and L.A. in his memorable Lakers debut

[ad_1]

Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, gets a hand slap from Dorian Finney-Smith during the first half of a 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night. Doncic finished with 14 points in 24 minutes. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

It wasn’t any other night, not in the story of this season, not in the history of this franchise.

Before Luka Doncic played his first second as a Laker, his name and number were on a T-shirt draped over every seat in the building. His aura was inescapable, from the Slovenian pregame music to the buzz in the building each time his face appeared on the scoreboard.

It’d been more than a week since the Lakers shocked everyone by dealing for Doncic, a move that secured the organization its future. This was what people wanted to see.

Read more: Team Luka: A look at the people who are part of Doncic’s inner circle

And among those people? LeBron James.

Someday, this will be Doncic’s franchise, but Monday’s Lakers debut was as much about the partnership between their two best players, No. 23 and No. 77 turning the building’s energy all the way to 100.

Before the Lakers’ 132-113 win against Utah, James and Doncic gathered in the team’s huddle after introductions. Notably, Doncic, instead of James, heard his name last. And if Doncic needed another reminder of how he was being embraced, James gave it to him.

“Don’t fit in,” James told Doncic while addressing the team. “Fit the f— out. Be yourself.”

Lakers guard Luka Doncic scores on a layup in front of Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George in the first half Monday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

James’ enthusiasm for this was obvious. Pregame, he warmed up in one of the Doncic No. 77 giveaway shirts. On the court, he didn’t shoot for nearly the first six minutes, setting the stage for the kind of team basketball the Lakers want to play despite having two of the game’s best individual scorers now in the same uniform.

In totality, Doncic’s individual debut went predictably — moments of brilliance like the stepback three for his first bucket, the full-court laser to James for the pair’s first connection and…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/luka-doncic-embraced-lebron-james-061300849.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2025-02-11 06:13:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.