The arrival of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers has led LeBron James to adopt new moves in his game, according to NBA legend Carmelo Anthony.
Carmelo Anthony knows a lot about LeBron James. They were briefly teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers, but they also played together for years with Team USA and faced each other numerous times on the NBA court. Drawing from that experience, the New York Knicks icon discussed how Bron has changed his game since Luka Doncic’s arrival in Los Angeles.
“He’s in the corner,” Carmelo highlighted about James during a conversation with Dwyane Wade on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. “I ain’t never seen the (expletive) in 22 years in a corner. I’ve known him since high school, I’ve never seen him sprint to the corner and shoot a three, ever. Like he’s willing to go to the corner and shoot the three.”
Anthony then discussed how he perceives LeBron’s mood since the arrival of Doncic. “Bron is happy as (expletive), only because ‘I have another mind with me,’” said the former forward, who played in Los Angeles alongside James in 2021-22.
Finally, Carmelo delved into how LeBron has found a new role with the Lakers. “I said this before. He’s switched roles. He is AD (Anthony Davis), and Luka is him,” he explained. “All the outlet passes off the rebound, Luka can make those same passes.” Dwyane Wade, another former teammate of LeBron’s, chimed in, saying: “LeBron is really good at basketball. He figures it out every time.”
Lakers without Doncic and LeBron
The impressive run the Lakers had achieved since Luka Doncic’s arrival, which had propelled them up the Western Conference standings, was abruptly interrupted by injuries to several key players.
LeBron James has missed three games due to a left groin strain. In addition, other players, such as Rui Hachimura, Jaxon Hayes, and Maxi Kleber, have been dealing with physical issues. Luka Doncic was also sidelined for the game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night due to left calf issues, coupled with a right ankle sprain.
