Luka Doncic could not contain his joy at the end of the game, visibly moved by the reception he received from the 18,997 fans who gathered at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and by the support he received from all his teammates and staff: “It was special. The way everybody received me: teammates, the front office, everybody that’s here. I heard a lot of noise when I was introduced… So I appreciate it a lot, it was a special moment,” he told ESPN right after the game.
JJ Redick and LeBron told me: “Be yourself.”
The Slovenian said the message he received from his coach JJ Redick and LeBron James was simple: “Be yourself”. He also thanked Dirk Nowitzki for traveling to Los Angeles to support him on his debut and praised him as “a great friend” and “a great mentor”. The German watched the game from the stands, like any other fan, alongside Luka’s father, Sasha Doncic
Thanks to Dirk Nowitzki for traveling to Los Angeles to support me, he is a great friend and a great mentor
He was also optimistic about the game played by his team: “We can be a very dangerous team, tonight we moved the ball very well in attack”. It is true that they hardly found any opposition from the Utah Jazz, who almost played in their favor.
LeBron’s great gesture
Doncic explained how the presentation of the Lakers’ starting five came about, in which he occupied the last place, an honorary space initially reserved for LeBron, who was the one who decided that the Slovenian should receive the affection of his new fans.
LeBron texted me this morning and he said, ‘Whatever you want.’ For me, for him to text me that is just amazing. It shows the type of person he is. He let me have my moment and I really appreciate that
“He texted me this morning and said, ‘Whatever you want’. For me, for him to text me that is incredible. It shows what kind of person he is. He let me have my moment and I’m very grateful for that,” he said excitedly.
Nerves aplenty
Those emotions may have had him a little on edge in the run-up to the clash: “I was a little nervous before the game, but once I stepped on the court it was fun and playing again was amazing. I hadn’t played in a long time. And it’s a new team, a new everything,” Luka added.
I have a lot of respect for what Pau did with the Lakers, let’s see if he comes to see me
He also had words for Pau Gasol, the other illustrious European who played for the Lakers, when asked about being the second European franchise player on the Los Angeles team:“I really respect what Pau did with the Lakers, let’s see if he comes to see me,” he said before concluding his appearance before the media by again thanking the support he had felt in all areas of the franchise
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