In the latest episode of his podcast Mind The Game, now co-hosted with Hall of Famer Steve Nash, LeBron James opened up about what he values most in the playing style of his new Lakers teammate, Luka Doncic.
The four-time MVP didn’t hold back in his praise for the Slovenian guard, highlighting a rare leadership trait that, in his eyes, only a select few legends have ever possessed.
The Ability to Elevate Teammates
What sets Doncic apart, LeBron says, is his exceptional ability to elevate the players around him—not just through skill or court vision, but by making them believe they’re capable of more than they thought possible.
“Luka makes guys believe they’re better than they actually are,” LeBron said. “That’s something only a few greats in the history of the game have been able to do.”
It’s a rarefied quality, and LeBron was quick to name the others he believes share it. “I’ve always admired players who can lift others like that,” he told Nash. “Steve, you did it. Chris Paul did it in his New Orleans days. Luka’s in that same class.”
With that comparison, LeBron placed Doncic among a group of players known not just for individual brilliance, but for transforming the team dynamic through confidence and trust—an endorsement that says as much about LeBron’s respect for Luka as it does about Luka’s impact.
Shared Respect and sending a clear message to the rest of the league
LeBron’s admiration for Luka Doncic didn’t start when they became teammates. Even before Doncic arrived in Los Angeles via a February trade with Dallas, James had consistently praised the Slovenian guard’s game and mentality. Now, with two months of on-court experience together, LeBron has seen firsthand what sets Doncic apart.
To highlight Luka’s impact, LeBron reflected on his own path. “I wouldn’t have been able to carry Cleveland to the Finals in 2007 if I hadn’t convinced my teammates they were better than they actually were,” he said.
LeBron clearly sending messages to the rest of the league, with Doncic carrying his team, the finals and his 5th Championship can be a reality.
That kind of maturity, James believes, comes from Doncic’s unique journey. “He grew up in Slovenia, then moved to Madrid and was playing professionally by the time he was 13 or 14,” LeBron explained. “That mindset—of making others around you better—he brought it with him to the NBA from day one.”
