3 takeaways from Luka Doncic’s Lakers debut that show franchise could contend for NBA titles
A less than 100% Luka Doncic played twenty-three minutes in his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Utah Jazz.
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Luka Doncic and LeBron James can combine to make the Los Angeles Lakers NBA title contenders
After more than a week, it finally dawned upon Los Angeles Lakers fans that Luka Doncic was indeed a part of their franchise. He suited up in purple and gold threads as he hopped on to the court alongside LeBron James to start his next chapter in the NBA.
The game was hyped enough that fans ended up spending a lot more than what they would have. They were not deterred by those prices and packed the Arena to watch their next major superstar score his first points.
Doncic did not disappoint in what was his first game back from the calf strain he suffered on Christmas Day. He ended up scoring 14 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists. Those are not the numbers fans are used to seeing from him, but he is not 100% healthy and is playing in a new system.
The 23-minute run was not his usual efficient best. However, those few minutes showed that the Lakers might not be far off from being NBA title contenders. Let us explore how in just one game, Luka Doncic gave enough indications that he can win titles for the Lakers.
Luka Magic in the passing game
The first points for his new team was off a step back three. However, that was not the highlight play of the night. Instead, his playmaking showed how his style of basketball could suit the team very well. He has not played with them one full game, but he found open teammates to thread the ball to.
His awareness of his team’s positioning was enough as he drew double teams to then zip the ball out to an open player. That court awareness saw him send out a full court pass to a streaking LeBron James. Court awareness, vision and IQ are not something that can be taught.
Once James retires, the Los Angeles Lakers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Luka Doncic is not far behind. Other than these two, the only other player with such elite awareness is Nikola Jokic. But he is the sole playmaker for the Denver Nuggets. At least for this season and the next, the Lakers have two.
Their combined playmaking could offset the team’s lack of a solid interior presence they had with Anthony Davis. That playmaking will also help them probe openings in the opposition defense which can help their fellow teammates thrive on open shots. Doncic is a magician as a playmaker, but his magical skills do not stop with his passing.
Luka Doncic plays at his own pace
The Slovenian plays at his own pace. It may look boringly slow for some, but the Lakers could actually benefit from it. In the third quarter, he drove to his left and as he took off of his right leg, he drew contact and finished the basket for an and1.
LeBron James was grinning cheek to cheek watching what his new teammate did to the Utah Jazz. Doncic slowed the pace down on his drive so that he could get his shot off cleanly. All while drawing two defenders and baited them to commit a foul.
In playoff situations, that three-point attempt and an opposition crippling foul could be a major advantage. At the same time, Doncic was not injured nor was he physically destroyed the way other athletically gifted players face.
James knew Doncic had craftily slowed the game down to draw contact. If the Los Angeles Lakers can mix that with the speed of James, Rui Hachimura and other athletic players, the team could make it difficult for opponents.
Lakers as a playoff threat
After the trade, NBA legend Charles Barkley mentioned that the Los Angeles Lakers are not an NBA title contending team. He believes the team needs time as well as a couple of more pieces to be ready. He might have a point considering the team do not have a legitimate interior threat.
When combining the playmaking, scoring and game managing skills of two of the best in the league along with the athletic ability of young, fast and hungry to make an impression players, the combination could be a problem.
They are uniquely capable to changing the pace of the game. That change of pace can hoodwink teams who focus a lot on athleticism, a la the Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder etc. In the playoffs, Luka Doncic and LeBron James can make short work of such teams.
The only teams that could counter those are the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and possibly the Boston Celtics. But overall, the Lakers could make their deficiencies their strength. James mentioned it would not be a problem for them to figure out how to make this system work. Once they do, the team could become a legitimate threat to the NBA’s throne.
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Joseph Varghese
(2455 Articles Published)