The message coming out of the Lakers camp to Luka is simple be yourself and LeBron doesnt want him to forget it.
Just want him to be himself when he gets back to himself, James told ESPN. Obviously, hes been out since Christmas and I think he told me or said it to us, thats the most hes ever been out since he started playing basketball because of an injury. Obviously, its not going to happen overnight, but I believe that in order for us to ultimately be the team that we want to be with him here, he has to have the ball, he has to be able to put us all in position, he has to be him. The seven years that weve seen in the NBA with Luka, we want that Luka.
So we all have to transform our game for the betterment of him, obviously. But its not going to happen overnight. We know that. But my message has been, Just be you. You dont have to confine [your game] to us. We need to figure it out with you. Whatever he needs, Im here. So, whatever he needs.
Brons message of Luka being himsself was clear from the outset.
Before tip off of Lukas first game with the Lakers against the Jazz, James could be heard saying in the team huddle, Luka, be your f***ing self. Dont fit in, fit the f*** out.
In his last game for the purple and gold, Luka was certainly looking a lot more comfortable and put out a scoreline the NBA world is familiar with.
After the game, the theme of staying true to yourself came up, as Doncic said,Just finally feeling like myself a little bit, Doncic said. You know, playing this game, this is all I love, so Im just finally being myself a little bit. Thats why I was smiling the whole game.
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