Until now, we knew a smile could be infectious. But after watching the Lakers slicing the Nuggets (123-100), we know that smile can also spill disaster on the other person (read team) across. Especially if that is Luka Doncic! Yes, that is THE Luka JJ Redick wanted to see when he said before the tipoff that he just wanted Luka to have a “blackout episode” against the Nuggets where he “screams at no one in particular.” “That’s the Luka I know,” Redick said. “That’s the killer.” Indeed, he killed right from the beginning- 16 of his 32 points came in the first quarter itself! And if we have to single out the highlight of that killer run, it has to be Luka’s connection with LeBron James.
Ever since Luka was traded to the Lakers, the fanbase made a narrative viral: Luka 77+LeBron 23= 100! Saturday night added more relevance to the narrative. Together they contributed 57 points (Luka 32 and LeBron 25) to the Lakers’ score. Less than two minutes into the game on Saturday, Luka grabbed a rebound, immediately turned his head, and without even dribbling threw a perfect full-court outlet pass that hit LeBron in style for a slam. In the rest of the play, they would connect for three more baskets. One beauty came 55 seconds before the halftime.
After grabbing his 5th rebound, Luka staged a perfect alley-oop to LeBron- his first ever to the King! Numbers tell us, of the 23 assists that Luka has dished out in his first four games with the Lakers, eight have gone to James. And of those eight, five have been for transition baskets. LeBron knew Luka was in his element against the Nuggets. In Denver, he said, he saw that version of Luka that led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last year. “Once he started hitting those stepback 3s, he could be yelling or barking, either at fans, or us or himself,” James said. But turns out, Luka still thinks that they have yet to become that “100”-worthy duo.
During the post-game interview, ESPN’s Lisa Salters asked, “There’s been so much talk about you fitting in with the Lakers, about you fitting in with LeBron James. Just how were you able to find a rhythm with LeBron tonight?” Luka replied, “I think we still got a lot of improvement. I just can’t play, this is my fourth game, so you know chemistry takes time. You see today after three games, you saw today that it’s getting better. So, every day it’s gonna get better.” As great as Luka looked tonight, he probably still needs some time to be completely at peace with the new Lakers environment after his sudden 1,435-mile move from Dallas to LA. Luka did not hide that feeling.
On being asked how the past three weeks have been for him, Luka honestly said, “Hard. Different. But you know I’m happy to be playing basketball. So, like I say, every day is going to get better to me, I’m happy to be here.Playing with these guys it’s been incredible, so I’m happy for the new journey.” But what was the reason for that sublime smile throughout the night?
Salters asked, “Mike just said it you’ve been smiling all night long. Just what has felt better tonight?” Once again, wearing that killer smile, Luka replied, “Finally felt like myself a little bit you know… That’s why I was smiling the whole game.” Yes, he is gradually getting into that old self after struggling to find his footing in his first three games with Los Angeles—averaging just 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. The night brought up several instances of that.
