Luka Doncic embraced by LeBron James and LA in his memorable Lakers -debut

It was not any other night, not in the story of this season, not in this franchise story.

Before Luka Doncic Playing his first second as a lacquer, his name and number were on a t-shirt killed over each seat in the building. His aura was inevitable, from the Serbian First Name Music to Brummer in the building every time his face appeared on the scoreboard.

It had been more than a week since Lakers shocked everyone by dealing with Doncic, a step that secured the organization its future. This was what people would see.

And among these people? LeBron James.

Read more: Team Luka: A look at the people who are part of Doncic’s inner circle

One day this will be Doncics Franchise, but Monday’s debut was just as much about the partnership between their two best players, No. 23 and No. 77, turning the building’s energy all the way to 100.

Before Lakers’ 132-113 Win Against Utah, James and Doncic gathered in the team’s hug after introductions. Especially Doncic, instead of James, heard his name last. And if Doncic needed another reminder of how he was embraced, James gave it to him.

“Don’t take care,” James told Doncic while addressing the team. “Mount f -ud. Be yourself. “

“Chills,” Doncic said of the moment.

James’ enthusiasm for this was obvious. Prior name he warmed up in one of Doncic No. 77 -Giveaway shirts. On the field, he did not shoot for almost the first six minutes, seting the stage for the kind of team basketball that Lakers will play despite having two of the game’s best individual scores now in the same uniform.

In total, Doncic’s individual debut predictable moments of brilliance as stepback three to his first bucket, full court laser to James for the couple’s first connection and lockdown defensive possession on Jordan Clarkson. Others were signs of accumulated rust, Doncic missed six triangles and nine field goals in his first game since Christmas due to a veal. Before the game, coach JJ Redick Said Doncic would be on a minute limit when Laker’s “lighten” him back in NBA action. Monday in the blow -out he logged only 23 minutes.

“Special,” Doncic said of the moment. “The way they received me, all, it was amazing to see. I was a little nervous before. I can’t remember the last time I was nervous before the game. But when I stepped on the field, it was fun. And just being out there felt amazing again. “

He ended with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists – well during his season average.

“I think he handled it well,” Redick said. “And you know to know Luka if he will admit this or not, as if there were probably a little bit of nerves playing for Lakers for the first time. And the expectation our fans have this building had his teammates Had, our coaching staff had it.

“And I thought he had been handling it really well and he played really well tonight. He couldn’t make a three out of the first one, but he just, again, it goes back to all our guys, they just played agenda free Basketball.

Around him, Lakers (32-19) was the kind of excellent they have been in the last 14 games. During this stretch, Lakers has won 12 times, lost only to Clippers and 76ers and discovers a toughness on both sides of the ball that has pushed them 13 games over .500.

On Monday, James was fantastic on both sides again and scored 24 but played with incredible defensive energy. Austin ReavesFresh of A 45-point game Saturdayscored only 22 on 10 shots while grabbing nine rebounds. Jaxson HayesLakers’ new starting center after Mark Williams failed His physical, scored 12 points on perfect six-of-six shooting. And Rui Hachimura Had 21 points and six rebounds in a game Lakers led by as many as 34.

Reserve Guard Jordan Goodwin, who played in just his second game since the signing of a two-way contract with Lakers, scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds while playing a fantastic defense-a real need on the circumference after the team treated Max Christie.

“He knows what we’re trying to do,” Redick said. “And, frankly, he is kind of the prototype guy we want on one of these spots because he plays hard, he goes down in the offensive glass, he has a toughness about him, he has a team-first attitude. I just think it speaks bind to the type of person he is that he was prepared and is willing to go into battle with these guys. “

Battle is a good word for the way Lakers has played, and shows more match and toughness in their last home game before the All-Star break. Doncic, who has seen the team win all three of his games since joining the team, saw the template. Fit in, fits out no matter what.

Read more: Luka Doncic gets Laker’s debut shortly after giving a $ 500,000 Fire Aid Donation

The real takeaway Monday was that with NBA’s hottest team, 77 Gold Jersey # 77 looked like a large part of it all.

“Since I came here, I just wanted to play with them,” Doncic said. “So every game I saw, they played amazing, very connected, and for me it was just I want to be there with them.”

The wait is over; Doncic is here. He is a lacquer.

“It was fantastic,” Reaves said. “I thought the energy from that time was big. His introduction to the starting lineup was one of the highest I’ve heard since I’ve been here.

“Laker’s nation, continues to do it because he deserves it.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.