Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic has already proven himself to be one of the most talented players in this era of NBA basketball and that has been on display from the moment he came over from Slovenia. Of course, Doncic began his career with the Dallas Mavericks under one of the best coaches of all-time in Rick Carlisle, and even he immediately realized how special the superstar was was.
Carlisle recently spoke about this, talking about how Doncic looked like Lakers legend Magic Johnson during his first pickup games with the Mavericks and calling him the most unique player he’s ever worked with.
“You know when Luka came, he came in the fall and the first day of pickup games, he’s playing and we have a pretty good veteran team,” Carlisle said during an appearance on The Draymond Green Show. “We had DeAndre Jordan, we had Wes Matthews, we had Harrison Barnes who won a championship with you, and some other really good players. And Luka’s playing with these guys, and he is playing like Magic Johnson. He is rebounding and he is throwing dimes like all over the place. He wasn’t even really looking to score. And I’m like, ‘guys this guy is like a Magic Johnson-type player.’
“And then we get into the season and I wasn’t really sure what position he was gonna be. I thought he was probably gonna be a 3-man because he was almost 6’8. But he kept saying he’s a point guard and after eight or 10 games we put him at point and put Dennis Smith off the ball and the rest is pretty much history.
“He had a historic first three years. And I said this during the year, from a talent standpoint, ability and everything else, he’s the most unique player I’ve ever worked with. He’s just so so good and he’s a killer. He’s a killer competitor too. You put the right guys around him and I defy you to figure out a way to beat him because he is smart as hell and he knows every trick in the book and he knows how to win.”
Words like this mean a lot coming from anyone, but especially a legendary coach like Carlisle who has won a championship and coached some Hall of Famers himself. But Doncic is such a special talent and it was apparent to Carlisle and everyone else who was present for those first practices.
Now, Doncic is looking to lead the Lakers to that ultimate goal of winning an NBA Championship and as long as he’s at his best, his team will always have a chance.
Luka Doncic hosting Lakers roster for minicamp in Slovenia
With LeBron James now gone, the Lakers are truly Doncic’s team and he will need to step up as a leader. And the superstar is already taking those steps as he will host the entire Lakers roster for a four-day minicamp in his home country of Slovenia.
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