LeBron James and Luka Doncic have the Lakers looking like serious contenders again. Just over two months ago, on his 40th birthday, James candidly evaluated the Los Angeles Lakers, questioning their championship potential.
“Are we at a championship level?” he asked on December 30. “Can we win a championship right now? No, I don’t think so. But that’s good because we have so much room for improvement.”
Since that moment, the landscape has shifted dramatically. The Lakers made a bold move, trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, a player often ranked among the top three in the NBA. This strategic acquisition has sparked a remarkable turnaround, with the team winning eight consecutive games for the first time since their 2020 championship run. They have surged from a potential play-in team to an impressive second place in the Western Conference, boasting a record of 40-21. During their last 14 games, they have showcased the league’s best defense.
James’s perspective has shifted as well. “With a full group, we can go out and compete versus anyone,” he stated on Tuesday, signaling a renewed confidence.
The King is back, and the Lakers, one of the NBA’s premier franchises, are on a roll.
In recent weeks, the Lakers have captured attention, highlighted by their thrilling 113-109 overtime victory against the New York Knicks. Overcoming a 13-point deficit, James delivered a stellar performance with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, while Doncic contributed with 32 points, seven rebounds, and 12 assists.
Throughout this hot streak, the Lakers have faced off against formidable opponents, with all but two of their eight wins coming against teams with winning records.
The Lakers’ transformation has been remarkable. They improved from a 26th ranking in defensive rating during their first 23 games to leading the league in that category over the past month. This shift was fueled by the addition of Dorian Finney-Smith and Doncic, which allowed James to focus more on defense. It’s impressive that this defensive improvement occurred without Anthony Davis, a perennial candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
This evolution illustrates what can happen when two of the game’s elite talents join forces. They elevate each other’s performances and inspire one another.
When the trade was announced, few anticipated such a positive outcome. There were genuine concerns about how well they could coexist, given their shared desire for ball control.
James, not consulted about the trade, faced the challenge of saying goodbye to his close friend Davis and adjusting to a new dynamic within the team. For a player accustomed to having significant control over his teams, this was a difficult adjustment.
Meanwhile, Doncic experienced a mix of emotions after being traded. The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to part ways with their then-25-year-old superstar was unprecedented, leaving him to navigate the fallout from media narratives regarding his conditioning and discipline.
Despite initial concerns, the partnership between James and Doncic has been seamless. James has embraced Doncic, who is already making his mark in Lakers history. He became the only player alongside James, Jerry West, and Magic Johnson to achieve a 30-point, 15-assist game in a win over New Orleans.
James likened their synergy to that of a wide receiver and quarterback, stating, “I’m a natural-born wide receiver and he’s a natural-born quarterback, so it fits perfectly.”
The arrival of Doncic has reignited James’s passion for the game. After facing criticism for a shooting slump in December, he is now a legitimate MVP contender on a team with championship aspirations.
Since turning 40, James has defied expectations, averaging 26.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, numbers that closely mirror his MVP-winning stats from 2013. He has also emerged as a key defensive player, with Lakers coach JJ Redick noting his All-Defensive Team caliber performance.
Doncic, for his part, is enjoying his new life in Los Angeles, even joking about traffic like a true Angeleno. He has moved past the emotional turmoil of his trade and is now reveling in the camaraderie with his new teammates.
“I think we’re all well-connected,” Doncic said recently. “So I’m excited to be a part of this team.”
Together, James and Doncic create a dynamic that leaves opposing defenses scrambling. Both players draw double teams, opening opportunities for their teammates and complicating game plans for rivals.
James relishes the chaos they create for other teams. “I think there was one play against the Clippers where they blitzed Luka at the top of the key and he swung it to me,” he recounted. “I started to make the reads and was able to find Gabe [Vincent] for a wide-open three because they were blitzing. It was a numbers game.”
“So, it’s kind of a pick your poison when you have two brainiacs when it comes to the game of basketball on the floor at the same time.”
The Lakers now appear poised to contend for the championship, injecting excitement into a league that has faced challenges in viewership. The 17-time champions have revitalized the NBA, transforming the atmosphere from muted tones to vibrant colors.
As the season progresses, questions arise about how this success might influence the longevity of James’s career. He has stated he likely has only a season or two left before retirement. However, if the opportunity for a fifth or sixth championship arises, would he really step away?
The answer seems clear: No chance.
James has a proven track record of success, having secured four championships with three franchises: the Miami Heat (2012 and 2013), Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and Lakers (2020). He has also made 10 NBA Finals appearances, including eight consecutive from 2011 to 2018.
Now, he believes the Lakers can compete against any team in the league.
For the other 29 teams in the NBA, this development is undoubtedly unsettling.
