Let’s Overreact to the Los Angeles Lakers’ First Three Games with Luka Doncic

In the NBA, the beginning of a new season is often met with a flurry of excitement, heightened expectations, and—inevitably—overreactions. This year, however, the Los Angeles Lakers’ first three games took on an even greater sense of drama, as the team welcomed Luka Dončić, the transcendent Dallas Mavericks star, to its ranks. While Dončić had long been rumored to be a future target for the Lakers due to his talent and potential synergy with LeBron James, his actual arrival was a much-anticipated moment in NBA history. The question on everyone’s mind: would this combination of two of the NBA’s biggest stars translate into immediate success?

The Lakers’ first three games with Dončić have provided plenty of material for overreaction, and while it’s early to make sweeping conclusions, we can’t help but dive into the emotional rollercoaster of what these initial games have told us. In this article, we’ll explore the highs and lows, and analyze why fans, media, and analysts alike are already overreacting to these early-season results.

The Arrival of Luka Dončić: The Anticipation

Luka Dončić’s arrival in Los Angeles was a seismic event. The Lakers have always been a team synonymous with star power, and the prospect of LeBron James and Dončić sharing the same court had NBA fans salivating. James, at 40 years old, is still playing at an elite level, but his age and the wear and tear of a long career have led to questions about his ability to carry a team through a grueling regular season and deep into the playoffs. Luka, who at 25 has already established himself as one of the league’s most dominant and electrifying players, was seen as the perfect foil for LeBron—a potential heir apparent who could take over the leadership mantle when LeBron eventually transitions out of the spotlight.

The initial excitement around this pairing was palpable. How would they fit together? Would Dončić be able to adapt to playing alongside LeBron, who has often held the ball in his hands and run the offense? Could their skill sets complement each other, or would their similar styles lead to clashes on the court? These were the questions that fans and analysts were eager to answer as the Lakers’ season tipped off.

Game 1: The Highs and the Hype

In their opening game of the season, the Lakers faced a tough opponent and a chance to show the basketball world what they could do with their newly-acquired star. Right off the bat, Dončić was electric, putting up an impressive stat line, displaying his signature ability to score from anywhere on the floor, and creating plays with ease. He looked every bit the superstar that Lakers fans had hoped for, while LeBron, as usual, was in control—efficient, poised, and assertive.

However, despite Dončić’s strong individual performance, the Lakers fell short in a narrow loss. The team’s chemistry, while promising, clearly needed work. There were moments of brilliance, especially between LeBron and Luka, but they often looked like they were still feeling each other out. Dončić, used to having the ball in his hands in Dallas, wasn’t always willing to defer to LeBron in the way some fans had anticipated, and at times their spacing and flow felt off.

Nevertheless, there were flashes of hope. Dončić’s ability to generate offense, whether through his brilliant pick-and-roll play or his crafty isolation moves, was a welcome sight for Lakers fans who had grown frustrated by the team’s offensive inconsistency in recent seasons. LeBron, always the floor general, also appeared ready to work with his new co-star, setting up Luka for easy shots and pulling defenders with his gravity.

As the final buzzer sounded on Game 1, the Lakers had plenty to feel optimistic about—albeit with the knowledge that adjustments would be needed. Luka had done his part, and the team’s ability to close games and create a more cohesive offense was clearly something that needed attention.

Game 2: A Renewed Sense of Hope

By Game 2, the narrative around the Lakers had shifted. After a disappointing opening game, there was a renewed sense of excitement as the team, on paper, had what it took to dominate the competition. The Lakers won decisively, with Dončić putting up another eye-popping performance, and this time, it wasn’t just his scoring that stood out. Luka was showing a more mature level of playmaking—dividing responsibilities with LeBron seamlessly, while also showing flashes of his incredible basketball IQ in the pick-and-roll game.

More importantly, the Lakers seemed to have figured out how to work around the natural tension of having two ball-dominant stars on the floor. Dončić’s willingness to adapt to LeBron’s leadership and the offense began to shine. LeBron, for his part, seemed perfectly content to allow Luka to initiate the offense at times, trusting that Dončić would make the right play.

The Lakers’ defense, a staple of their identity in recent years, was also starting to take shape. With Dončić’s ability to create turnovers and disrupt passing lanes, the Lakers were thriving in transition. The team’s fast break, led by the ever-ambitious LeBron and Dončić, was beginning to feel like a two-headed monster that opposing teams simply couldn’t keep up with.

However, there were still concerns. Dončić’s defense remained a work in progress, and while the Lakers’ defense as a whole looked solid, it wasn’t enough to make up for some of Luka’s lapses in focus. This issue would persist throughout the season as he adjusted to playing with a different defensive scheme.

Game 3: The Early Stumbles and the Questions Begin

By Game 3, the doubts started creeping in once again. Despite a valiant effort from Dončić, the Lakers were once again on the wrong side of the scoreboard. The team’s chemistry was still in flux, and the growing pains of integrating Dončić into the lineup were becoming more apparent. Dončić’s shot selection was under scrutiny, as he seemed to fall in love with the three-point shot, occasionally forcing up contested attempts when there were better looks to be had.

LeBron, too, seemed a little more disengaged than in previous games, as the balance of power between the two stars began to feel tenuous. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to play together; rather, the sheer force of their individual brilliance sometimes got in the way of a more fluid offense. The Lakers’ spacing was inconsistent, and their reliance on isolation plays between LeBron and Luka sometimes led to stagnation. The defensive woes were also compounded in Game 3, as Dončić found himself caught in mismatches and unable to consistently impact the game on that end of the floor.

The third game brought out an overreaction in fans and analysts alike. Many questioned whether the Lakers’ two stars could ever co-exist in a way that maximized their combined talents. Could LeBron and Luka really share the spotlight without stepping on each other’s toes? Would Dončić’s ball-dominant style clash too often with LeBron’s need to control the game? The questions about team fit were amplified by the Lakers’ inconsistent offensive flow and a lack of clear leadership in clutch moments.

The Overreaction: Are We Overthinking This?

It’s easy to get carried away with the highs and lows of a new season, especially when it involves a blockbuster trade for a superstar like Luka Dončić. But here’s the reality: It’s been just three games. Three games in a season that’s a marathon, not a sprint. Overreacting to early-season results is nothing new in sports, but it’s important to keep things in perspective.

First, Luka Dončić and LeBron James are two of the most gifted basketball players the NBA has ever seen. The talent is undeniable. The issues with spacing, defensive lapses, and offensive integration are fixable with time, practice, and adjustments from both the players and coaching staff. LeBron has always been a master of adapting to his teammates, and Dončić, though accustomed to being the focal point of the offense, has already shown a willingness to defer when necessary.

Second, we must consider the reality of adjusting to a new team and a new system. Dončić is still getting used to his role as part of a duo rather than the singular focus of the offense. LeBron, too, will need to find ways to share the limelight without sacrificing his own ability to dominate. The defensive issues, while concerning, are not unique to Dončić. They are a collective problem that the team will need to address over the course of the season.

Finally, it’s important to remember that championship teams don’t form overnight. The Lakers’ current roster is a work in progress, and while they have the talent to contend, their ability to play at a high level will require time to gel. It’s a long season, and every team goes through ups and downs.

Staying Level-Headed

As much as fans love to overreact to the opening games of a new season, especially when a superstar like Luka Dončić enters the fold, it’s essential to remain patient. The Lakers have the potential to be a championship contender, but it will take time for LeBron and Luka to find their rhythm. There will be growing pains, and there will be setbacks, but this is not the time to declare the project a failure.

The first three games have shown promise and raised some valid concerns, but they are far from a definitive statement on the Lakers’ season. With a talented roster and two superstars at the helm, the Lakers have the tools they need to succeed. It’s just a matter of giving this team time to mesh and allowing the

inevitable bumps along the way to smooth out.

So let’s pump the brakes on the overreaction. The Los Angeles Lakers’ journey with Luka Dončić is just beginning, and the best is yet to come.