It wasn’t every other evening, not within the story of this season, not within the historical past of this franchise.
Earlier than performed his first second as a Laker, his title and quantity had been on a T-shirt draped over each seat within the constructing. His aura was inescapable, from the Serbian pregame music to the thrill within the constructing every time his face appeared on the scoreboard.
It’d been greater than every week because the Lakers shocked everybody by dealing for Doncic, a transfer that secured the group its future. This was what folks needed to see.
And amongst these folks? .
Sometime, this will likely be Doncic’s franchise, however Monday’s Lakers debut was as a lot in regards to the partnership between their two greatest gamers, No. 23 and No. 77 turning the constructing’s vitality all the way in which to 100.
Earlier than the Lakers’ in opposition to Utah, James and Doncic gathered within the staff’s huddle after introductions. Notably, Doncic, as a substitute of James, heard his title final. And if Doncic wanted one other reminder of how he was being embraced, James gave it to him.
“Don’t slot in,” James informed Doncic whereas addressing the staff. “Match the f— out. Be your self.”
“Chills,” Doncic stated of the second.
James’ enthusiasm for this was apparent. Pregame, he warmed up in one of many Doncic No. 77 giveaway shirts. On the courtroom, he didn’t shoot for almost the primary six minutes, setting the stage for the type of staff basketball the Lakers wish to play regardless of having two of the sport’s greatest particular person scorers now in the identical uniform.
In totality, Doncic’s particular person debut went predictably — moments of brilliance just like the stepback three for his first bucket, the full-court laser to James for the pair’s first connection and the lockdown defensive possession on Jordan Clarkson. Others had been indicators of amassed rust, Doncic lacking six threes and 9 discipline targets in his first recreation since Christmas due to a calf pressure. Earlier than the sport, coach stated Doncic can be on a minutes restrict because the Lakers “ease” him again into NBA motion. Monday within the blowout, he logged simply 23 minutes.
“Particular,” Doncic stated of the second. “The way in which they obtained me, all people, it was superb to see. I used to be a bit of bit nervous earlier than. I don’t bear in mind the final time I used to be nervous earlier than the sport. However as soon as I stepped on the courtroom, it was enjoyable. And simply being on the market once more felt superb.”
He completed with 14 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists — properly under his season averages.
“I believe he dealt with it properly,” Redick stated. “And, you understand, understanding Luka, whether or not he’ll admit this or not, like there was in all probability a bit of little bit of nerves taking part in for the Lakers for the primary time. And the anticipation that our followers have, this constructing had, his teammates had, our teaching workers had. He kinda will get that, he sees that.
“And I assumed he’s dealt with it rather well and he performed rather well tonight. He couldn’t make a 3 outdoors of the primary one, however he simply, once more, it goes again to all our guys, they only performed agenda-free basketball. What tonight was not, he didn’t make it about Luka. He made it about taking part in good basketball and taking part in Laker basketball.”
Round him, the Lakers (32-19) had been the type of glorious they’ve been for the final 14 video games. Throughout that stretch the Lakers have received 12 occasions, dropping solely to the Clippers and the 76ers, discovering a toughness on either side of the ball that’s pushed them 13 video games over .500.
Monday, James was once more terrific on either side, scoring 24 however taking part in with unimaginable defensive vitality. , recent off , scored 22 on solely 10 pictures whereas grabbing 9 rebounds. , the Lakers’ new beginning middle after his bodily, scored 12 factors on good six-of-six taking pictures. And had 21 factors and 6 rebounds in a recreation the Lakers led by as many as 34.
Reserve guard Jordan Goodwin, taking part in in simply his second recreation since signing a two-way contract with the Lakers, scored 17 factors and grabbed eight rebounds whereas taking part in terrific protection — an actual want on the perimeter after the staff dealt Max Christie.
“He is aware of what we’re attempting to do,” Redick stated. “And albeit, he’s type of the prototypical man that we would like in a kind of spots as a result of he performs onerous, he crashes the offensive glass, he has a toughness about him, he has a team-first perspective. I simply assume it speaks volumes to the kind of individual that he’s, that he was ready and is prepared to go to battle with these guys.”
Battle is an effective phrase for the way in which the Lakers have performed, exhibiting extra battle and toughness of their closing house recreation earlier than the All-Star break. Doncic, who has been watching the staff win all three of its video games since he joined the staff, noticed the template. Slot in, match out, no matter.
The actual takeaway Monday was that with the NBA’s hottest staff, the No. 77 gold jersey seemed like a giant a part of all of it.
“Since I got here right here, I simply needed to play with them,” Doncic stated. “So each recreation I noticed, they performed superb, very linked, and for me, it was simply I wish to be there with them.”
The wait is over; Doncic is right here. He’s a Laker.
“It was superior,” Reaves stated. “I assumed the vitality from that time ahead was nice. His introduction within the beginning lineup was one of many loudest I’ve heard since I’ve been right here.
“Lakers nation, proceed to try this as a result of he deserves it.”
