Last night as the basketball world stood still watching the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center with a score of110-116, two icons of the sport provided a performance that will be remembered. LeBron James and Luka Doncic proved once again that together they could create one of the most dominant duos the league has ever seen.
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Not only the win, but doing so against his former team was special for the Slovenian in so many ways. Close to a year since the trade, Doncic returned to Dallas to deliver an outstanding performance, finishing with 33 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists. Right after the game, it was LeBron James himself who fully praised the young star.
“A new level to his game”
While speaking to the media in the locker room, James gave his honest opinion on how Doncic has developed his game since he arrived in California, claiming that adapting to a new city and team is not an easy job but Luka has done it perfectly:
“A new level to his game, I think the most important is just his comfort. Obviously, when you get traded midseason, and him spending his first 7 or 8 years here. Obviously, it was shock to everybody. Everybody that was involved, everybody that wasn’t involved in this whole sports world. Obviously him and the guys that was involved in the trade, but I think the biggest thing this year it’s just more comfortable. Understanding the system, understanding the city, the city embracing him. Understanding that this is his team. We’re all rallying around him. Obviously, we know it’s kind of an emotional/big game when you come back and play your former team. He showed who he is tonight
This is not the first time LeBron has publicly praised Luka, as he often notes that the young star understands the game with a basketball IQ that is unreachable for most players. For Bron, having someone like Luka alongside him is a privilege that must be enjoyed.
The James-Doncic duo representing the league
As the NBA continues its transition into the next era, the chemistry between LeBron and Luka serves as the perfect bridge for young generations to enter the league. One represents the history and the standard of excellence, while the other represents the limitless future of a global game that cannot stop evolving.
Seeing them together is what many fans needed to re-engage with the sport. After these outstanding performances of both, the gap between them and other players as idols widens a lot. There are other figures that could be the image of the NBA, but none is at the level of the legendary 23 and the future G.O.A.T. of basketball.
This level of basketball that reminded everyone why we watch the game. If this is what we can expect from the future of the sport, the NBA is in very good hands.
