The partnership of LeBron James and Luka Dončić has commenced in Los Angeles. Can they elevate the Lakers’ position in the Western Conference?
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There’s a noticeable camaraderie developing in Los Angeles, particularly if you’ve been keeping up with NBA news. LeBron James and Luka Dončić are determined to rejuvenate the Lakers’ performance — not just in the near future, but this very season.
For Lakers supporters, witnessing James and Dončić collaborating to score points is a thrill that used to be exclusive to the All-Star Game, but that is no longer the case!
Speaking of the MVP race, while the fanfare around the Dončić trade is captivating, one should not overlook how impressive LeBron has been both before and after the move. At 40 years old, James is achieving levels of performance typically unseen at his age. He’s seemingly defying age with averages of 24.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and nine assists per game, currently ranking No. 6 in the Kia MVP Ladder this week.
This week marks his best ranking on the ladder; however, Dončić’s injury means the Lakers will only have one contender in the mix for these honors this season. But Dončić’s future looks bright for more opportunities ahead.
On a related note, Anthony Davis’s ongoing abdominal injury could jeopardize his candidacy for end-of-season awards if he remains sidelined for an extended period.
Upcoming Events
All-Star Weekend is approaching quickly, with critical matchups set for Sunday’s All-Star Game. It will be exciting to see Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—butting heads for MVP recognition as teammates, even if just momentarily.
Noteworthy Stat
Anthony Edwards from the Timberwolves has made headlines by recording three consecutive games with 40 or more points, marking him as the first player to achieve this feat this season.
Player Quotes
“He let me have my moment.” — Dončić reflecting on James’s decision to let him be introduced last during his Lakers debut.
