For the first time in over nine years, the Los Angeles Lakers opened Media Day without the outsized presence of LeBron James.
As a new era dawns over Tinseltown, franchise guard Luka Doncic is more than ready to embrace the challenge of being the lone centerpiece of the Purple and Gold, expressing immense excitement at taking on the helm as the team’s newest leader.
“It feels great… I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me, but I feel great, I feel excited… It’s been a long time since I played basketball so I’m ready,” Doncic said.
The 28‑year‑old enters his ninth NBA season as the league’s scoring leader, after averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists en route to a 53‑29 season, as the Lakers eventually bowed to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round—sans Doncic throughout the entire playoffs.
Doncic Welcomes Aboard New Teammates
As the Lakers enter the season with an entirely reshaped roster following the departures of multiple core pieces, Doncic underscored their minicamp in Slovenia during August as a key factor in building off‑court chemistry before training camp begins in the following weeks.
“I like everybody that we signed, I think there’s a lot of underrated guys. I got to spend some time with them. The training camp is gonna help us a lot, focus on basketball… I’m very excited to play with all of them.”
Doncic also commented on his excitement about playing with big man Walker Kessler, whom the Lakers successfully acquired through a sign‑and‑trade, and expect to be their defensive anchor and lob threat for the coming future.
“It was always tough to play against him. I really wanted him. I think it’s an amazing feat for us… Amazing rim protector, on offense he improved so much… He’s gonna help us a lot,” Doncic said.
Doncic Stresses Leadership and Accountability
Entering the season, Doncic remains confident in holding his own as the lone leader of the Lakers, but also stressed the importance of the team having a next‑man‑up mentality when the 6‑foot‑8 guard is sidelined.
“I’ve been in this situation before, even when I was really young, so I’m kinda used to it. There should be many leaders. We should be able to hold each other accountable,” the six‑time All‑Star said.
With Doncic ready to unleash firepower on the rest of the league, one thing remains certain—the Lakers remain one of the best in the West, with or without The King.
