Move over LeBron James: how the Lakers have already started making Luka Doncic the face of the franchise
James and Doncic will hope to lead the Lakers to NBA success together in the short term, before the Slovenian takes over LeBron’s mantle.
Luka Doncic made a relatively modest debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, recording 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 24 minutes on court as the Californians defeated the Utah Jazz 132-113 at Crypto.com Arena.
Having just returned from an injury layoff, there is plenty more to come from the Slovenian, who didn’t quite “fit the fuck out” as much as LeBron James had ordered him to before tipoff.
How Doncic links up with James, seen by some as the greatest NBA star of all time, will be key to how successful the Lakers are in the short team. But it is how the Slovenian eventually replaces the 40-year-old veteran that will likely determine the franchise’s long-term success.
Lakers' Doncic marketing ploy
The Lakers, and indeed the city of Los Angeles, have already taken a big step to endear Doncic to fans of the team, just in case it was necessary. The former Mavericks man had already done his bit by donating a huge sum of money to victims of the LA wildfires.
Before the 25-year-old’s debut against the Jazz, the Lakers laid out complimentary ‘Doncic 77’ t-shirts on every single seat at Crypto.com Arena, referencing their new star’s jersey number.
While not every older fan may be sucked in by such a marketing ploy, the younger generation are more likely to succumb. After all, we all remember that feeling of wearing a jersey with our favorite player’s name and number on it in our youth, and pretending to be him, or her, out on the court/field.
77 for everyone at tonight’s game 😎 pic.twitter.com/tEGUKXHhPq
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 10, 2025
LeBron James shows support for Luka Doncic
The Lakers will hope the move can help establish Doncic as the ‘new’ face of the franchise among younger fans, especially once James inevitably retires. Not that he is going anywhere just yet.
LeBron finished the game against the Jazz as the Lakers’ leading scorer with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, and will have a key role to play as JJ Redick’s team look to win their first NBA championship since 2019/20, James’ second year with the team.
But the 21-time NBA All-Star appears to be keen to help the transition from one superstar to the next. James warmed up for Monday’s game wearing a ‘Doncic 77’ shirt, showing his support for his new teammate, who praised the warm welcome he had been given by everyone in Los Angeles.
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