Luka Doncic is not the strongest in the NBA. He is definitely not the fastest, not the tallest either. Still, the Los Angeles Lakers star is currently in the Top 3 best players heading to the 2025-26 season. His fellow superstar Lebron James has one simple explanation about his game.
James and Doncic turned from foe to friends after the February 2025 blockbuster trade. The former knows what the former Mavericks star is capable of and with them on the same side now, he also knows what makes the Slovenian great.
They are totally different players in terms of style of play but for James, they are similar when it comes to the way they read games. Lebron thinks Doncic is a savant.
“I just love the way he approaches the game,” James said in an interview with Wall Street Journal.
“I love the way he plays the game. More importantly, man, he’s just a great f—ing guy.”
LeBron with high praise for Luka 🤝
“I JUST LOVE the way he approaches the game. I love the way he plays the game. More importantly, man, he’s just a great f—ing guy. … Big-time savant of the game. I always use IQ as a measuring point in basketball—guys who can think the game.… pic.twitter.com/KU0yqzT0Fp
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) September 17, 2025
Lebron James praises Luka’s basketball IQ
Although they are of different specimen, they produce almost the same numbers. Lebron is a do-it-all guy who can affect the game in various ways. He can rebound and serve as a playmaker.
There’s a reason why Doncic was at one point was seen as the inheritor of James’ crown.
King James thinks Luka Magic meets the criteria he personally sets as determinant of one’s greatness – basketball I.Q.
“Big-time savant of the game. I always use IQ as a measuring point in basketball—guys who can think the game,” he added.
“There are so many guys in our league who can play the game, but to be able to think the game as well puts you at another level.”
Lakers are entering their second year with Doncic. They had a remarkable run heading into the last day of the regular season but were tripped by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of playoffs as a higher seeded team.
Team feels bullish about their new season as they not get more acclimated with Doncic and the Slovenian’s strong showing in EuroBasket and body transformation.
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