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The Los Angeles Lakers get to build their team around two of the greatest offensive masterminds in league history with Luka Doncic and LeBron James at the helm. At age 26, Doncic is the future of the franchise, while James has made it clear that, at 40, it’s on him to adjust his game to his new co-star.
But the combined IQ of the Luka-LeBron pairing has been incredible to watch through its first few months. The Lakers did not get the result they wanted in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, losing in the first round in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they saw great things from both Doncic and James that make this an exciting summer to try and build a championship contender.
Luka has been one of LeBron’s favorite players for several years now, and the latter explained exactly what he loves about Doncic and what is required of him and his Lakers teammates sharing the floor with him on the latest episode of “Mind the Game” with Steve Nash:
“It’s always his pace. It’s always been his pace. It’s never been a game where it’s like ‘you can speed me up, he can speed me up, this bigger guy can be more physical, this smaller guy can get underneath me.’ It’s like, he moves at his own pace. And he’s never ever been on the floor, where he’s allowed someone to dictate where they’re going to put him on the floor. It’s always been the opposite. And for us, we all working off of that, we’ve just got to stay ready. We’ve seen throughout his career, there’s plays and passes that only certain guys in league history have ever been able to make. And for us, we just have to make sure that we continue to stay ready, especially when you’re going against handsy teams, athletic teams and teams that try to speed you up. We always have to keep our head on a swivel, because you just never know when the ball may find you. And that’s a good thing, that’s keeping the defense off balance and it’s a great thing to have that.”
Doncic can manipulate a defense as well as any player in league history, and the last player to be able to do that the way he does is his teammate, James. And that’s certainly part of the reason why LeBron is able to adjust his game to fit Luka, because he is likely thinking 10 steps ahead the same way Doncic does.
The first full season of Doncic and James together should only increase their chemistry, and with that, the offensive ceiling of the Lakers as a team.
Luka Doncic calls it unbelievable to play with LeBron James
Luka Doncic never wanted to be dealt by the Dallas Mavericks, and he believed that Texas would be his home for the entirety of his NBA career.
However, Dallas management felt otherwise and traded him to the Lakers. In a shocking turn of events, Doncic formed an intriguing pairing with LeBron James, but also an educational relationship.
As James nears the end of his career, Doncic is next in line to lead L.A. in whatever is next. He can use this time to learn from a 22-year veteran but also play alongside an ‘unbelievable’ teammate that is one of the greatest of all-time.
More must-reads:
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TODAY'S BEST
Report: Celtics struggling to trade away 1 player
The Boston Celtics have already made two big trades this offseason, but they are apparently getting stiff-armed in their quest for a trifecta. Boston is struggling to find a trade partner for guard Anfernee Simons, Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com reported on Wednesday. Afseth notes that the Celtics continue to be focused on shedding salary this offseason. Simons, the 26-year-old former Dunk Contest champion, was just acquired by Boston last month as part of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Celtics then managed to create some more financial flexibility by trading away Kristaps Porzingis shortly thereafter. With multiple 20-ppg seasons already under his belt, Simons has obvious value as a scorer. But he lacks efficiency and defensive chops and also has a bloated salary for next season at $27.7 million. Though the Celtics managed to get under the second apron of the luxury tax by trading away both Holiday and Porzingis, 2025-26 will effectively be a punt year for them due to star player Jayson Tatum, who will likely miss the entire season as he recovers from an Achilles rupture. With Tatum owed $54.1 million next season, Jaylen Brown owed $53.1 million, and Derrick White owed $28.1 million, it doesn’t make much sense for Boston to have their cap tied up beyond that if they are not going to be competing for a championship. On the bright side for the Celtics, Simons is on an expiring contract next year, which could be especially appealing to rival teams come the February trade deadline. But at least for now, it looks like Boston may have to prepare to open up the new season with Simons still on their roster.
Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely
Oregon wide receiver Jurrion Dickey has struggled to live up to expectations in his first two seasons with the Ducks, and he is now in a terrible position heading into 2025 as well. Dickey has been suspended indefinitely by Oregon, head coach Dan Lanning announced on Tuesday. Lanning also suggested that Dickey may not play for the Ducks again. "We have two team rules; that’s respectful, be on time,” Lanning said, via James Crepea of The Oregonian. “There’s some pieces of that where I felt like he needed a break from us and we needed a break from that so we could focus on what’s in front of us right now. "Wishing him nothing but the best, as far as success and want to see him get back to where he can be a contributor somewhere; that might be here that might be somewhere else.” Dickey was a five-star recruit and rated as one of the top wide receivers in the country when he came out of Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California, in 2023. He suffered an injury in his senior year in high school and redshirted as a freshman at Oregon. Dickey has two catches for 14 years during his time with the Ducks. Oregon went 13-1 in Lanning's third season with the program last season. The Ducks lost to eventual national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Bengals rookie learns important Joe Burrow rule
Cincinnati Bengals rookie EDGE Shemar Stewart learned an important rule Wednesday: Don't hit the franchise quarterback during practice. In the 11-on-11 period of practice, Stewart knocked down Bengals QB Joe Burrow, a perennial league MVP candidate. A scuffle then ensued between Stewart and the offensive line. After practice, Bengals center Ted Karras said he likes Stewart's intensity but reminded him not to hit Burrow. "Just be smarter," Karras said, via Charlie Clifford of WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. "Great player. But, come on, man. That's all our hopes and dreams right there. And we got to be better, too. That's on us." Without Burrow, the Bengals' Super Bowl hopes would evaporate. He already carried Cincinnati to the big game during the 2021 season and is coming off a career year. Last season, he led the league in touchdown passes (43 in 17 games) and passing yards (4,918), winning Comeback Player of the Year for the second time. Not to mention, Burrow can be injury-prone. He suffered a season-ending left knee injury during his rookie season in 2020. Then in 2023, he tore his right wrist, sidelining him for the season's final seven games. The Bengals subsequently finished 9-8 and failed to make the playoffs. Burrow didn't suffer an injury after Stewart hit him, but the Bengals don't want to put their most important player at risk. "We've gotta protect No. 9," Bengals right guard Lucas Patrick said, via Jay Morrison of Cincinnati Bengals on Sports Illustrated. "It starts with me up front. I've got to play better, protect better. Can't let No. 9 get hit." The Bengals need their O-line to provide Burrow with much better protection for the rest of the season. And they need Stewart to follow the critical rule.
Justin Jefferson Injury Update Leaves Minnesota Vikings Fans With A Mixed Bag Of Emotions
The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for the 2025 NFL season, with fans eager to see how the team will perform under JJ McCarthy’s leadership. However, one storyline dominating training camp is Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury. Arguably the best wide receiver in the league, Jefferson has been sidelined with the hope of a full recovery by Week 1. While updates on his rehab bring positive news, there are still concerns about how this will affect the Vikings’ season, particularly his chemistry with the team’s new quarterback. Here’s a deep dive into the positives, the challenges, and what it all means for the Vikings. The Good News: Justin Jefferson Is Progressing Head coach Kevin O’Connell recently provided an update on Jefferson’s recovery, noting that the receiver is progressing well and will be reassessed next week. For Vikings fans, this is the silver lining. The organization appears to be taking a cautious approach to ensure Jefferson is fully healed, as lingering issues with hamstring injuries have derailed seasons for even the best NFL players. O’Connell’s deliberate pacing suggests the team is focusing on the bigger picture—a healthy Jefferson navigating a 17-game season. After missing seven games in 2023 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, the emphasis now is on preventing a repeat of that scenario. Leaving Jefferson out of practice and preseason games may seem frustrating, but it’s the smarter move considering his value to the team. With his track record of success, Jefferson doesn’t need extra reps to get up to speed and should be as dominant as ever once he returns to the field. The Concerns: Lingering Effects of the Injury Hamstring injuries, while often non-catastrophic, can be notoriously tricky. The soft tissue requires a delicate balance of rest and strengthening to avoid re-aggravation. The fact that Jefferson has dealt with hamstring issues before raises questions about whether this injury could linger. Given the missed time in training camp, Jefferson’s absence could even extend into the opening weeks of the season if the Vikings feel the need to be extra cautious. The team has a tough early schedule, and missing Jefferson against formidable defenses would significantly impact the offense’s explosiveness. Another concern is how Jefferson’s recovery might affect his usual sharpness. For a player who relies heavily on quick bursts, precise route-running, and agility, even slight discomfort could have an impact on his performance. Jefferson’s ability to separate from defenders makes him elite—any limitation in that department could be costly. The Chemistry Question with JJ McCarthy This offseason marked a monumental change for the Vikings with JJ McCarthy stepping in as the team’s quarterback. Developing chemistry between a quarterback and wide receiver duo is crucial, and every lost practice rep makes that process harder. McCarthy is a dynamic young talent, but he’s coming off a season-ending injury in 2024 and is still adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. While early preseason snaps have shown promise, the connection between McCarthy and Jefferson hasn’t been stress-tested enough to give fans full confidence yet. With Jefferson on the sideline and rookie receiver Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games, this puts even more pressure on McCarthy to adapt. Doubling down on their connection during training camp was a priority, but Jefferson’s absence forces a delay in that process. For now, McCarthy will build rapport with other playmakers like tight end TJ Hockenson, but it’s undeniable that Jefferson is the centerpiece of the offense. The earlier McCarthy and Jefferson can get meaningful reps together, the better the Vikings’ chances for a seamless start to the season. Why the Vikings’ Cautious Approach Is the Right Move While the concerns are real, this situation showcases the Vikings’ long-term thinking under Kevin O’Connell. Hamstring injuries demand respect—rushing back too soon can trigger setbacks that derail seasons. By prioritizing Jefferson’s long-term health over preseason scrimmages, the team is protecting its most valuable offensive asset. O’Connell has reiterated that the Vikings intend to compete for postseason success, not just early-season wins. This strategy, though frustrating for fans hungry to see Jefferson dominate, could help the team build toward sustained success over the course of a grueling season. Final Thoughts Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury is a double-edged sword for the Vikings. On one hand, the careful management of his health inspires confidence that he’ll be ready to deliver highlight-reel performances when the games matter most. On the other hand, the lack of chemistry-building reps with JJ McCarthy raises questions about how quickly the offense can hit its stride. The Vikings are playing the long game, and that’s the right call. If Jefferson returns at 100% for Week 1, this moment of preseason adversity will feel like nothing more than a brief hiccup. If the injury lingers, however, it could magnify challenges for an offense that’s already adjusting to new leadership. For now, patience is the name of the game. Vikings fans should trust the organization to strike the balance between caution and urgency, as the ultimate goal remains deep postseason success with Jefferson as the team’s unstoppable playmaker.
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