Dave McMenamin
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers turned over on Monday night, making their debut for the franchise that Luka Donsic traded for him, and for the franchise, who has been waiting for more than a week for the 25-year-old basketball genius. LeBron James, which appears in the lineup, had a message to deliver.
“Luke, your f — inf self,” James said in a pre-match huddle that he was picked up by an ESPN TV broadcast. “Don’t fit, f—out. It fits you.”
When asked about the moment, Donsic was honest only when booking a 132-113 victory for the Utah Jazz and wearing a purple and gold uniform for game action.
“It’s amazing that he says something like that,” Donsic said he first played Christmas while he was with the Dallas Mavericks after scoring 14 points in 24 minutes. “It gives me confidence, and after that speech it was a chill. I was happy to be a part of it.”
Editor’s Pick
2 Related
He wasn’t the only smile.
Crypto.com Arena has an euphoric vibe, with sold-out crowds waiting in seats to spot 18,997 gold No. 77 t-shirts, while Donsic’s favorite Serbian music came out of the sound system. Their mobile phone records every move he makes. Don Sic’s former Mavs, whose last season in the league matched Don Sic’s first season, travelled to support him by sitting in the stands with Don Sic’s father Sasha.
“He came out…and clearly the place went crazy,” Austin Raves said. “It was great. I thought the energy from that point on was great. His introduction in the starting lineup was one of the loudest things I’ve heard since I’ve been here.”
James supported his new teammate there, texting the 6-foot-6 guard earlier in the day, saying he would do whatever Donsic wanted. So, in a public speech for the Lakers, he saved Donsic for the last time when Lawrence Tanter rattles off the LA starter. This is usually reserved for James.
“He let me do my moments and I’m really grateful,” Donsic said. “I mean, he lent me this today, but he’ll be his last.”
It didn’t take long for Donsic to have an impact on the game. Center Jackson Hayes found a dunk in the alley in just 50 seconds, playing for the strained left calf muscle for the first time in nearly seven weeks.
“I used to be a little nervous,” Donsic said. “I don’t remember the last time I was nervous before the game, but once I stepped onto the court it was fun.
His shot was Rusty, 14-5 (3-7-7), falling under a few minutes’ limit, but there was immediate chemistry between Doncic and his new teammate.
LA gave up the dominant first half with a half-court outlet pass from Don Sic to James, setting up a simple layup to raise the Lakers 22 points.
“I thought our three main guys did an amazing job playing with each other,” Lakers coach JJ Reddick said, referring to James, Donsic and Reeves. “Sometimes you can have an agenda in the game, and for our group, it felt like this wasn’t an agenda game other than winning a basketball game and playing the right way. ”
The Reaves scored 22 points with nine rebounds and four assists. James led all the scorers with 24 points, adding eight assists, seven rebounds and seven turnovers. He ended the match early in the fourth quarter after a collision in the lane and did not speak after the match.
Reddick said the “plan” is for both Donsic and James to play in that game.
JazzLakersPoints4057FG16-3720-32FG PCT43%63%3-PT FG5-187-15– ESPN Research
L.A.’s night fanfare and tasks to integrate Don Chic into the lineup slowed momentum, winning 12 times in the final 14 games, no. Rankings for the 4 Western Conference.
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve wanted to play with them,” Donsic said. He saw the Lakers defeated the Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers while the Lakers finished rehabilitating calves. “Every game I saw, they were amazing, very connected, and for me, I just wanted to be with them.”
The Lakers are Vice President of Basketball Operations and general manager Rob Perinka accepted Don Sic on his way from the tunnel to the locker room after the game.
“It’s a new team. It’s all new,” Donsic said. “But the way they helped me, my teammates, Rob, Jeanie (Bus), that was a lot of support for me. When I came to the arena, I saw all the Luka jerseys. It was It was just a surreal feeling.”
