Luka Dončić hasn’t been a Laker for a full month but, however they’re already reaching heights that they haven’t seen since their final championship. After beating the Los Angeles Clippers for a second straight recreation on Sunday, March 2, their sixth consecutive win, the Lakers have now improved their document to 38-21, which now has them in second place within the Western Convention. None of this could have been attainable if it wasn’t for the Luka Dončić commerce and the way it modified the dynamic of the Lakers roster.
For the primary time in possibly LeBron’s basketball life, he’s not the perfect participant on his workforce, and there isn’t even actually a debate about it. LeBron continues to be the chief and face of the Lakers, however the perfect participant mantle has lastly been given to a teammate, one thing LeBron really needed to do almost half a decade in the past. When Anthony Davis was first traded to the Lakers in 2019, the very first thing out of LeBron’s mouth was that he would comply with Anthony Davis’ lead and let him be the primary choice. That by no means materialized. Anthony Davis by no means elevated his play, and there have been questions if he would ever. The most important query mark got here the next season in 2021. After profitable the ring within the bubble, everyone was anticipating it to be Anthony Davis‘ breakout MVP 12 months. As a substitute, he got here into coaching camp out of practice, and at that time LeBron realized he must carry the Lakers if Davis was his teammate.
It took one other three years, however LeBron lastly bought a teammate who can carry the load in Luka Dončić, and there isn’t a query about that. In Luka’s six seasons, he has been All-NBA First Workforce 5 occasions, greater than the legendary Stephen Curry. He has the second highest playoff scoring common, trailing solely Michael Jordan. There aren’t any questions on Dončić’s means, and in contrast to Davis, his play leaves no questions on whether or not he needs to be the highest canine. In Luka’s final 5 video games, he has scored 30 twice and recorded a triple double. That is the consistency anticipated from Davis that by no means materialized. Luka has solely been a Laker for eight video games, however you already see how the dynamic has shifted every part for the workforce.
As soon as Luka joined the Lakers, he turned their greatest participant, even over LeBron James. This in flip shifted LeBron to the workforce’s second choice, which suggests the Lakers now have the perfect quantity two choice within the league. LeBron shifting to the second choice makes Austin Reaves an elite third choice at the moment averaging 19 factors, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Lakers now have the perfect large three within the league, and this win streak proves it.
The Los Angeles Lakers captured their 18th win of their final 22 video games and their sixth straight win on Sunday. There have been fears that Luka and LeBron wouldn’t have the ability to work as a result of each of them wanted the ball, however that concern has shortly been squashed. Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reaves work greatest when Luka controls the stream of the offense. Luka has been a Laker for lower than a month, however already they’re of their highest seeding place since 2020. This would be the first time in three seasons they gained’t be within the play-in, and it’s not a coincidence this occurred when LeBron’s function was lessened. Luka turned LeBron into a task participant, and it may be the cheat code to LeBron’s fifth championship.