LUKA DONČIĆ, the global basketball superstar, is prepared to create his own mark with his new team, the Los Angeles (LA) Lakers, as the dust settles from a dramatic weekend caused by the blockbuster trade.
After the blockbuster trade, Dončić addressed the media at the Lakers’ training facility, ushering in a new era for the NBA and the entire landscape of basketball worldwide.
Photo Courtesy: @lakers | Instagram
While the 25-year-old Slovenian star continues to process the event, he admits that he is more than ready to wear the purple and gold uniform and lead the team alongside NBA All-Time Scoring Leader LeBron James.
Hollywood Luka
When we talk about Hollywood, we all know it’s a destination for stars. By adding Luka, the California residents would definitely enjoy another series of nightly showtime performances.
“I’m just excited to be here, to start this new journey. And obviously, at some point, I knew this was gonna happen. I always take the high road. I had my amazing moments in Dallas, and it was an amazing journey,” said Dončić.
“I mean, everybody was surprised. So you can imagine how surprised I was. I was almost asleep when I got the call, so I had to check if it was April 1st. I didn’t really believe it at first.”
“It was a big shock and a hard moment for me. It was home [Dallas], so it was really a hard moment for me. With that said, I get to play for the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this journey,” he added.
A Surreal Feeling
Dončić, who grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, considers his move from Dallas to be a significant milestone, despite the shocking outcome.
“First of all, I remember that exact moment. It always stayed in my mind. It was an amazing moment, just for Kobe to know my name is amazing for me. I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment,” said Dončić.
Dončić remains excited to play with his NBA idol, despite the fact that the Lakers are preparing for a post-LeBron era.
“It’s like a dream come true. I always looked up to him, there’s so many things I can learn from him, and I’m just excited. To learn everything and get to play with him is an amazing feeling,” he added of playing with LeBron.
“It’s a motive. It’s a big motive for a long run here. To win the championship. You don’t come here for anything else. I have everything left to prove and the goal is to win the championship,” he added.
LeBron and the Lakers currently lead the Los Angeles Clippers 73-50 at halftime, with Dončić watching from the sideline. Time will tell how powerful this team will be once the international superstar returns and is healthy.
Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka stated that the 25-year-old had yet to fully recover from his calf issue. We’ll see how this team works once Luka is confident in his ability to play and in good shape.
For the time being, Pelinka and the entire organization are still working out how to fill Anthony Davis’ front court void, but all moves must be made for the Los Angeles Lakers’ long-term success.
