LeBron James is undeniably one of the greatest players in NBA history — and receiving praise from him is no small feat. Even at 40 years old, the Los Angeles Lakers’ icon remains one of the league’s elite talents. Now, sharing the court with Luka Doncic, James hasn’t missed the opportunity to shower his new teammate with admiration.
With Doncic appearing on James’ Mind the Game podcast, the four-time NBA champion spoke candidly about what makes the former Mavericks star so special. Since the blockbuster trade that brought Doncic to Los Angeles, the two have spent half a season building chemistry — and one particular trait immediately stood out to James.
“It’s always his pace, and it’s always been his pace,” James said. “He moves at his own speed, and he’s never been the type of player to let someone dictate where he goes on the floor. It’s always been the opposite. And for us, we’re just working off that — we just have to stay ready.”
Rightfully so, Doncic is regarded as one of the most gifted offensive players in the NBA. It’s no surprise the Lakers aggressively pursued him and celebrated his arrival. Now seen as the future face of the franchise, Doncic is absorbing wisdom from one of the most decorated players in league history — and being groomed for greatness.
As Doncic continues to showcase his love for the game in L.A., James is hopeful their partnership can lead to a title. But he acknowledges that the front office still has work to do in the offseason. Even so, LeBron made it clear: Doncic’s skill set is rare — historically rare.
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“Obviously, we’ve seen throughout his career there are plays and passes that only certain guys in league history have ever been able to make,” James said. “And for us, we just all have to make sure we continue to stay ready. Especially when you go against handsy teams, athletic teams, teams that try to speed you up.”
That level of unpredictability, James explained, is a weapon in itself. “We always have to keep our head on a swivel, because you never know when the ball may find you,” he continued. “And that’s a good thing. It keeps the defense off balance — and that’s a great thing to have.”
Despite finishing the season with an impressive 50–32 record, good for third in the Western Conference, the Lakers were eliminated in the NBA playoffs by the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves. Still, with James and Doncic leading the charge, Los Angeles appears ready to reload and aim higher next season.
