Lakers’ LeBron James hugs a crying Luka Doncic after tribute video

It’s been two months since the trade between Doncic and Anthony Davis rocked the NBA to its core.  From his reaction to the tribute, it was undeniable that Doncic appreciated the Mavericks and their fans, who still hold a place in their heart for him. 

While the Mavericks are dealing with the negative ramifications of the trade, the Lakers have been on the upswing. Doncic has been averaging 27.1 points, 7.6 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game. All the while the Lakers hold onto the third spot in the Western Conference, and the playoffs are rapidly approaching. For all that Doncic has gone through, he has seemingly found his groove in Los Angeles. 

He also has the benefit of having James in his corner. 

The bond between LeBron James and Luka Doncic

From the moment Doncic joined the Lakers, James welcomed him with open arms. Since then, they have established a strong on-court connection. 

James has referred to Doncic as a “natural-born quarterback” and himself as a “natural-born receiver.” That football metaphor specifically referred to their ability to work in tandem on fast breaks, resulting in scoring opportunities. In transition, Doncic can get the rebound and heave it to the other end of the floor so James can easily score. Both have complimented each other regarding their strengths and have wanted to get the best out of one another. 

When Doncic got ejected from the Lakers/Thunder game on Tuesday for exchanging words with a fan, James went to bat for him. 

It goes without saying that James is to Doncic what Kobe Bryant was to Pau Gasol.