From the moment the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić, this franchise became his. However, it was challenging to establish that, given that he was acquired right in the middle of the NBA season. Now that he has
a full season in a Lakers uniform, we are seeing his leadership more and more.
In the summer, he did things like take the team to a Porsche Driving Experience
and now that basketball is well underway, he’s leading on the court.Currently, Luka is averaging 40 points, 11 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. He is also averaging 39 minutes per game, leading the team in that category, as well as in points and rebounds. Austin Reaves is just a decimal point ahead of him for the highest assist average on the team.
With the Lakers having to play all season so far without LeBron James and Reaves and Luka missing time themselves, LA has had to find ways to win while shorthanded.
They’ve done a great job of that currently with a 7-2 record, good for the third-best winning percentage in the NBA.
Their most recent win over the Spurs is a prime example of this.
The Lakers had plenty of excuses they could’ve gone with against the Spurs. San Antonio is a good team, playing without Austin is tough, Luka was having a poor shooting night, and with so many foul calls, getting into a rhythm was difficult.
Instead of using those reasons as justification for a failure, Luka led the charge, and the Lakers found a way to win an ugly game.
After the Lakers’ victory, Redick credited Luka and his team for their resilience.
“I would say for him, and for the group, the word of the day is resiliency. I thought he showed that in the second half, playing through some foul trouble, playing through what, quite honestly was a frustrating, abnormal offensive night for him. He stayed with it. I thought the focus level with both the referees and just the focus with his teammates and just getting on to the next play, without Austin, without LeBron, his teammates are looking to him to kind of keep that resolve and keep that positive disposition and he was able to do that throughout the game. Which, look, that’s an area of growth and I thought he was great with that tonight.”
Last season, it felt like Luka did more leading by example. But this year, we’re seeing him being more comfortable speaking up and directing his team.
“[I’m] definitely more vocal, just trying to help the guys,” Luka said. “But I think the leadership, it shouldn’t be just one player. It should be more players and I think we have that. Everybody talks a lot of the time. I feel like everybody’s on the same page.”
From Luka to LeBron, Austin and even vets like Marcus Smart, LA has plenty of vocal leaders. However, the stars will always be the loudest, even if they say the least. Los Angeles needs Luka to take charge and help establish the culture, and by talking more, he is doing just that.
This is his team and they will go as far as he takes them. Currently, he is doing a great job of leading them and finding ways to win, even against tough teams like the Spurs.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
