LeBron James says Luka Doncic ‘plays the game how I’ve always wanted to inspire the generation to play the game’

NBA legend LeBron James says Luka Doncic “plays the game how I’ve always wanted to inspire the generation to play the game.”

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February. 

Some guys just breathe confidence. Luka has that.

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The Lakers are 10-6 when LeBron and Doncic are in the lineup. 

LeBron is averaging 23.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists next to Doncic, while Doncic is averaging 26.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists alongside LeBron. 

The Lakers are 45-29. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings under first-year head coach JJ Redick, who played with Doncic in Dallas and used to be podcast partners with LeBron. 

Los Angeles defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on March 29 thanks to LeBron, Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Lakers’ “Big 3” combined for 85 points and 25 assists.

Redick called a meeting with LeBron, Doncic and Reaves before the Lakers-Grizzlies game. 

“We challenged all three of them when we get to their three-man actions to play with a little more force and a little more thrust and a little more creativity,” Redick said. “We played as well as we’ve played so far offensively.”

Added Reaves: “I think the meeting was just still trying to build that chemistry amongst the three of us to help the team be successful. Tonight, it just showed that when we play the right way and trust one another, especially offensively, we can have open looks on almost every possession. … It was really just a conversation about how bad all of us want to win and win at a high level.”

The Lakers are 19th in the NBA in points per game, 12th in points per game allowed, 12th in offensive rating, 14th in defensive rating and 14th in net rating. 

With LeBron, Doncic and Reaves leading the way, Los Angeles hopes to make a run at this year’s championship.