Insider claims LeBron is saying something he's never said before

LeBron James. Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Insider claims LeBron James is now saying something he's never said before

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network | By Dan Coombs | Last updated Mar 2, 2025 11:01 PM ET

LeBron James and Luka Doncic are already silencing the doubters who feared they might not be able to play together.

When you combine two of the smartest minds in basketball, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, don’t be surprised when they produce spectacular on court displays.

The pair are just getting started on the Los Angeles Lakers, following the Slovenian’s shocking trade to the team away from the Dallas Mavericks.

Charles Barkley had claimed the pair could not play together, but what he might not have counted on, was the level of deference James is showing for Doncic.

And this should not really be a surprise. LeBron is 40, and Luka is 25. And through this season, the Lakers veteran has tried to conserve his energy to make the biggest impact late in games.

James’ message to Luka for his first game was ‘fit out’, to be himself. And this has set the tone for the star’s integration into the team.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

In conversation this week to The Herd, Los Angeles Times reporter Dan Woike explained how LeBron James is speaking about a teammate like never before.

It fits claims Luka Doncic might be LeBron’s most talented ever teammate, while also being partially influenced by the timeline of the four-time champion’s career.

Woike explained: “In Cleveland, as great and skillful as Kyrie was, he ended up being an off guard a lot. And I would argue Kyrie is as skilled as any player I’ve ever seen with the ball in his hands.

“This [with Doncic] is a little bit of LeBron saying, OK, I’ve met my equal at initiating offense.

“Being around him now, basically every day since he’s been to Los Angeles by and large, I’ve never heard him say that somebody is better than him at stuff. Like that’s just not how he’s built.

“He said, Luka Doncic does the same stuff as me and some of it better. And I think at this stage in his career, having somebody who can do that, it does sort of shift LeBron into, I call it like Olympics. Like the version of him we saw in Paris, where you’re controlling the game, but maybe you don’t have the ball all the time.”

Charles Barkley’s argument was that Doncic and LeBron are too ball-dominant to work — but the claim falls apart when considering the huge respect between the pair, combined with their desire to win.

LeBron is desperate to win a fifth NBA title, while Luka is motivated to win a first, and embarrass former team Dallas Mavericks in the process.

It is hard to speak highly enough of LeBron James for the way he has gone out of his way to welcome Luka Doncic to LA, similar to coach JJ Redick who visited his hotel immediately.

The superstar said: “The seven years that we’ve seen in the NBA with Luka, we want that Luka. So we all have to transform our game for the betterment of him, obviously.

“But it’s not going to happen overnight. We know that. But my message has been, ‘Just be you. You don’t have to confine [your game] to us. We need to figure it out with you.’

“Whatever he needs, I’m here. So, whatever he needs.”

Former star Kevin Garnett said he suspected the move has energized LeBron and could extend his career.

Watching LeBron at 40, he does not look like a player close to retiring. And instead of being five years removed from his last championship in 2020, he might feel closer to the next one.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: