Luka Doncic has revealed what surprised him the most about LeBron James after joining the Los Angeles Lakers.
The NBA world was stunned when the Dallas Mavericks traded the Slovenian superstar to the Lakers in February, with Anthony Davis heading in the opposite direction.
They helped the Lakers finish third in the Western Conference standings but were knocked out in five games in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The pair appeared alongside Steve Nash on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast, which was posted on Sunday evening.
Luka Doncic reveals what surprised him about LeBron James
Luka Doncic was asked about working with LeBron James during their appearance on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast.
“It’s great, I’ve never played with a guy like this,” Doncic said. “Being traded here, to LA, it was different, just to play with guys like him, it’s unbelievable.
“I can learn so [much] stuff, first of all off the court, just things he does to be ready for the game, and obviously, on the court, everyone knows what kind of player he is.”
Nash then asked if there was anything specific that surprised Doncic about his teammate.
“First of all, he shows up like ten hours before the game, that was the main thing,” Doncic responded, almost in disbelief. “I was like, ‘What?’ I came into the arena and he was already done working out.”
The 26-year-old, though admitted that there is still work to do to improve their on-court connection, following their playoff defeat to the Timberwolves.
“I still think it’s a work in progress. When we two are out there and AR [Austin Reaves], you know he’s been playing unbelievable. I think it’s just still a work in progress. I think we’re getting better and better every day.”
James explains how Doncic has impressed him
LeBron James also had praise for Luka Doncic during the interview with Nash.
“It’s always his pace, and it’s always been his pace. It’s never been – a game be – ‘Okay, you can speed me up. He can speed me up. This bigger guy, he can be more physical, okay. This smaller guy can get up underneath me.’
“He moves at his own pace. And he’s never, ever, been on the floor where he’s allowed someone to dictate where they’re going to put him on the floor. For us, we’re all working off of that. We just got to stay ready.”
James is likely to pick up his player option for $52.6 million to stick it out with the LA Lakers next season.
It will be his 23rd season in the NBA and there is speculation over whether it will be his last, given he will turn 41 in December.
Last season, he became the first player to record 50,000 NBA points in NBA history.
