Eight consecutive victories clearly illustrate the Los Angeles Lakers‘ significant improvement in recent weeks. A major factor in this evolution has been Luka Doncic, who, since his arrival, has infused the team with his immense talent, even prompting LeBron James to adjust to a different position. This shift was noted by two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis.
“We’re starting to see LeBron fall into a comfortable number two,” Davis said on The Draymond Green Show. “We’ve only seen LeBron as the number one. There was never a ‘1A’ or a ‘1B’—LeBron has always been Numero Uno.”
Baron further reflected on how James’ mentality has been a key factor in the success he has enjoyed throughout his career. “LeBron, he could have come into the league and said, ‘I want to be a scorer,’ and had a totally different game with the same outcome, just because of who he is,” he explained.
“To see LeBron as the number one guy now being the number two guy is very scary,” the former Charlotte Hornets guard added. “Because it puts him back into his number one position when he was young.”
Former Charlotte Hornets star Baron Davis.
Finally, Davis praised the Lakers star’s abilities: “When you talk about his scoring, I say he’s a mechanical scorer—he scores when necessary. ‘Oh, you’re about to go up 10? No, I’m taking that shot.’ He is a scientist when it comes to how he plays the game.”
see also
Stephen A. Smith sends clear message to LeBron James after shocking courtside confrontation
Carmelo Anthony also sees a change in LeBron
Baron Davis isn’t the only one to notice the shift in the 40-year-old superstar’s role. Carmelo Anthony recently asserted that LeBron James has taken over Anthony Davis’ role since Doncic joined the Lakers.
“All the passes that LeBron was throwing to AD, Luka is capable of making those exact same passes. The roles is reversed now. He’s AD right now, and Luka is him,” Carmelo explained on 7PM in Brooklyn. “So now Bron knows, ‘All I have to do is run the court, I’m gonna get a mismatch, if Luka throws it, I can go get it.’”
The Lakers continue their momentum
This Thursday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Lakers secured a crucial victory over a major rival, the New York Knicks, with a 113-109 win. The win was largely fueled by stellar performances from both LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Together, the duo combined for 63 points, in addition to making significant contributions in rebounds and assists during the more than 43 minutes they were on the floor. This was a clear demonstration of the potential the Los Angeles Lakers possess when their two star players are motivated and the game demands their influence. With this performance, they are steadily establishing themselves as formidable contenders in the Western Conference.
