Why LeBron James is “super-duper proud” of Luka Doncic: “I have to follow him”

Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic are set to play their first full season together, with championship ambitions and a chance to tie the Boston Celtics’ record of 18 titles. One of the biggest stories this summer was Doncic’s physical transformation, following the Lakers’ first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in last year’s playoffs.

LeBron recently praised the 26-year-old Slovenian for shedding roughly 30 pounds during the offseason and how it could help the Lakers reach their goals. Speaking on the latest episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast, LeBron highlighted Doncic’s improved conditioning, which was on full display during EuroBasket with Slovenia.

Doncic’s physical transformation paying off

“Yes, absolutely. I watched a lot of EuroBasket this summer. I followed his team closely, obviously, since he’s my teammate, and seeing how he elevated Slovenia to that level was impressive. They came so close to beating Germany in the semifinals,” LeBron said.

“You can see it, he’s obviously a little faster, a little more functional. But even more important, and a lot of people don’t notice, is his recovery. When your body is in top shape and you feel that good, it’s not just about the game itself. Luka’s style isn’t going to change, he’s still going to drop 30 or 40 points, dish out 15 assists, or grab 10-12 rebounds. That’s not changing.”

LeBron on the “new” Doncic

“But personally, what will change for him is how he feels the day after playing three games in four nights. He’ll feel it. He’s built this body, and it’s going to help him recover faster and maintain high energy,” LeBron added.

“I’m super-duper proud of him. Obviously, he didn’t need me to tell him that; this was something he wanted to do for himself, and that’s what matters most. But now I might have to follow a bit of his routine, I’ll be taking some notes,” LeBron concluded.

Date set for LeBron and Doncic’s next game

The Lakers opened preseason in Palm Desert with losses to the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. However, neither Luka Doncic nor LeBron James will see action until the 2025-26 season opener. The goal is to avoid injuries ahead of the Oct. 21 matchup at Crypto.com Arena against Stephen Curry and the Warriors.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.