Synopsis
LeBron James discusses the special addition of Luka Doncic to the Lakers after their 122-97 win over the Clippers. James expresses excitement over Doncic's talent and what he brings to the team, acknowledging the emotional moments surrounding the recent trade of Anthony Davis from the Pelicans.Key Takeaways
- LeBron James believes Luka Doncic's addition to the Lakers will be special.
- Doncic has already established himself as a top player in the NBA.
- Anthony Davis's trade to the Lakers was an emotional experience for both players.
- Doncic has led the Mavericks to significant playoff success.
- James and Davis formed a strong duo that secured a championship in 2020.
Los Angeles, Feb 5 (NationPress) After the Los Angeles Lakers' commanding 122-97 victory over the Clippers, LeBron James shared his thoughts on the exciting addition of Luka Doncic to the team during a post-game interview at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday (IST).
The 40-year-old James, who was recognized as the Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday for averaging 27.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game, feels that Doncic's presence will be truly special.
"It's going to be special. We're going to draw a lot of attention. Luka is a phenomenal player. At just 25 years old, he hasn't even hit his prime yet, and he's already achieved remarkable feats in our league. I'm thrilled to have him here, and LA is excited as well. To be honest, it still feels a bit surreal," James remarked to reporters.
Doncic, drafted by the Mavericks in 2018, has emerged as one of the league's elite talents. In his 422 games, he’s averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.
Under his leadership, the Mavericks advanced to the 2022 Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals, where they faced the Boston Celtics.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis was traded to the Lakers in 2019 from the Pelicans, with the Pelicans receiving Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks, including the fourth overall pick in 2019.
Davis developed a strong partnership with LeBron and played a pivotal role in their championship victory in 2020.
Upon learning about the trade, the 21-time NBA All-Star expressed that his emotions were overwhelming and he immediately reached out to his former teammate via FaceTime.
"My emotions were all over the place, obviously. We had just come off a significant win. A huge victory in the garden. I was out with my family when I received the news, and initially, I thought it was a hoax or some kind of prank. But when AD FaceTimed me, I talked to him for quite a while, and even after our conversation, it still felt unreal," he shared.
When asked about the video call with Davis, James said, "It was definitely a strange, uncomfortable moment for us. Just knowing he would be leaving was very challenging. I could see the shock on his face, and he probably saw it on mine as well."