After dropping a 32-point masterclass against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, it increasingly appears as if the sky might be the limit for Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers. It is clear that the Lakers‘ incumbent megastar LeBron James only has so much time left in his legendary NBA career, and the stunning acquisition of Doncic is helping the Lakers prepare for a future without LeBron — a future in which continued championship contention is possible.
After recovering from a calf strain and enduring a tough game in an upset loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Doncic put his new teammates on his back during Saturday’s 123-100 win in Denver, which has inspired James to “crown” his eventual successor with a new, film-inspired nickname.
“The Don” eyes revenge on Dallas
In reference to the character of Don Vito Corleone in the 1972 classic “The Godfather“, James has taken to calling Doncic “The Don“, which highlights how important the Slovenian star has become to the Lakers’ fortunes in his short time in Los Angeles.
“Hey, Don, where are you going tonight?” James asked Doncic following the win over the Nuggets.
“Sleep,” Doncic humbly replied. “I got to get some sleep.”
The Lakers (34-21, 4th in the Western Conference) host Luka‘s former team, the Dallas Mavericks (31-27, 8th) on Tuesday night in the teams’ first meeting since Dallas dealt Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis. There is no doubt that Doncic will be highly-motivated to show his old team what it is missing as a consequence of the blockbuster trade — and James is prepared to cede control over the Lakers so that Doncic can shine.
“I believe that in order for us to ultimately be the team that we want to be with him here, he has to have the ball, he has to be able to put us all in position, he has to be him,” James said. “The seven years that we’ve seen in the NBA with Luka, we want that Luka.”
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