"He shows up like 10 hours before the game" - Luka Doncic on what surprised him the most about playing with LeBron James
The blockbuster trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers sent ripples across the NBA, changing the landscape of the league. He was seen as the final piece to complete LeBron James' quest for another championship late in his storied career.
But even though everyone knew this would be a dynamic duo on paper, no one could have predicted how well they would mesh on the court. When asked about his experience playing alongside LeBron on the "Mind The Game" podcast, Luka shared what surprised him the most.
Emphasis on physical preparation
James' pronounced emphasis on taking care of his body is the stuff of legends and is a significant part of why he continues to play at such an elite level despite already being 40 years old. From nutrition to recovery, je is meticulous in his approach to physical preparation and Luka was amazed when he saw it firsthand.
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"First of all, he shows up like 10 hours before the game. So, I mean, that was really the main — like, I was — what?" the Slovenian revealed. "I came to the arena, he was already done working out. I was like, what?"
While some players arrive at the arena a few hours before the game's tip-off, James prefers to be at the long before everyone. He has a rigid approach to his pre-game routine, which includes a carefully planned out workout and stretching session.
Once that is done, James moves on to shootaround and uses deep tissue massages and other recovery methods to ensure his body is in top shape for the game.
Luka disclosed that seeing how LeBron pay so much attention to every detail of his preparation hit home. It showed him the level of commitment and dedication required to be one of the greatest players in the league.
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"I've never played with a guy like this and, you know, just being traded to here to L.A. — I mean, it was different. But just to play with guys like him, like, it's unbelievable. Like, I could learn so many stuff, you know. First of all, off the court, you know, all the things he does just to be ready for the game. And obviously, on the court, everybody knows what kind of player he is," Doncic added.
Related: Michael Beasley shares why he hates the narrative that Luka Doncic is out of shape: "When I'm scoring 50, tell me then to get in shape"
A work in progress
The show's co-host Steve Nash discussed how similar Luka's and LeBron's games are. From the precision passing to scoring to creating shots for their teammates, there are striking similarities between the two players.
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"You guys are so similar. You know, obviously different stages of your career, but you're so similar — the way you see the game, the way you process the game, the way you can, you know, abuse bigger defenders, you can bully smaller defenders. You're both computers, the way you read the game," Nash, who was a two-time league MVP during his time in the Association, remarked.
Doncic, though, asserted that his partnership with James remains a work in progress. They haven't played a full season together, so it's safe to say they are still working out the kinks and figuring out each other's tendencies.
But even with that, their chemistry on the court has been undeniable.
"It's been great. But just, you know, I think — I still think it's a work in progress. You know, when we two are out there and they are — you know, he's been playing unbelievable, and I think it's just still work in progress," the 26-year-old shared.
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As their first-round exit in the 2025 NBA Playoffs showed, Luka, LeBron and the Lakers have a lot of work to do to truly elevate themselves to championship contender status. But it's undeniable that with the two megastars on the roster for the foreseeable future, the team has the potential to become a dominant force in the league.
Related: "We have a long summer ahead of us" - Luka Doncic reveals he is focusing to be the best version of himself with new indoor conditioning and modified diet
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