LeBron James’ Presence Will Help Unlock Luka Doncic’s Championship DNA, Says Rich Paul

Lakers teammates LeBron James and Luka Doncic are hoping to win an NBA championship together before the veteran retires.

LeBron James’ Presence Will Help Unlock Luka Doncic’s Championship DNA, Says Rich Paul

Luka Doncic needs LeBron James' mentorship (Image via FirstSportz)

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One of the most important aspects that led the Dallas Mavericks to send Luka Doncic to join LeBron James at the Los Angeles Lakers was their questions on whether the guard had it in him to lead them to a championship.

They felt that, as good as the 5-time All-NBA 1st-teamer was on offense, his lackluster effort on defense was not the way to lead a team hoping to win a battle at the pinnacle of basketball.

The Mavericks felt they were better off with someone such as Anthony Davis, who was a proven winner both in college and in the NBA.

Back at the Lakers, their recent inconsistency since LeBron James returned had many of his critics citing that the franchise was better off without the 41-year-old.

Luka has the talent, but he hasn’t won a championship yet… But there also hasn’t been talk of ‘let’s help you understand what it’s like or how to win a championship.’… How are we putting people around this young man in the locker room… I can tell you something, when LeBron was 26 years old, there was no ‘LeBron’ next to him in the locker room.

Rich Paul said on the Game Over Podcast

The super agent believes the Lakers ought to utilize the time LeBron James has left in his career to use him as the mentor who can turn Luka Doncic into a winner.

This was Rich Paul‘s clapback at social media critics who have been harping about the King slowing down whatever the Slovenian and Austin Reaves had going before his return from injury.

NBA Star revels in LeBron James’ conditioning at age 41

LeBron James‘ chemistry with Luka Doncic has improved to the tune of them hammering out three straight wins to start January. In the last of them, the Akron native went off for a few spectacular dunks.

LeBron James dunking on a lob
LeBron James dunking on a lob (Image via Bleacher Report/X)

Clips of those plays went viral, and the folks at Run it Back decided to talk about how James continues to bring about exceptional athleticism for someone who is 41.

We all know how much time and money he spends. He literally spends almost $2M on his body… It’s paying off. More guys should be investing in their bodies like he is.

Chandler Parsons said

The former NBA star then remarked that at age 37, his body felt ‘brittle’ when compared to the Los Angeles Lakers superstar. Then, Parsons mentioned that other players should follow the King’s lead.

Hearing that, DeMarcus Cousins mentioned that there aren’t many players in the NBA, even though some earn more than $50 million a year, who can afford such investments.

Jeff Teague believes LeBron James’ influence could impact All-Star game

In those three straight wins, LeBron James averaged 29 points and 8 each in rebounds and assists. When looking at those statistics, Jeff Teague mentioned on the Club 520 Podcast that the Lakers’ superstar should be in the All-Star game.

Bron is the NBA. If LeBron wasn’t in the All-Star game, they might not have the All-Star game.

Jeff Teague said

The former NBA champion was speaking in reference to Draymond Green‘s plea to commissioner Adam Silver to ensure the four-time league MVP was in the 2026 All-Star game.

Teague then went on to claim that in the event James either does not become a part of the All-Star game or declines to participate, it could have a corresponding effect on the rest of the players.

He believes LeBron James has enough influence to stop other players from showing interest in the All-Star game, just like the best dunkers declined to participate in the dunk contest when he did not want to compete.

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