Luka Doncic‘s early struggles as a Laker have led some to marvel if the Mavericks had been forward of the curve and if the Slovenian, together with his calf harm and conditioning points, could possibly be broken items.
That may be a gross exaggeration.
Until there’s extra to Doncic’s harm than meets the attention, the Lakers don’t have anything to fret about. Doncic will determine this out as he will get his legs beneath him, coming off essentially the most extreme harm of his profession that sidelined him for 27 of Dallas’ 49 video games earlier than he was traded.
Doncic has been a notoriously gradual starter all through his profession. Whether or not on account of his conditioning or enjoying fashion, he has a historical past of manufacturing early-season stinkers earlier than hitting his stride by late November. In some methods, his 2024-25 season is simply getting began, as he has performed simply three video games since Christmas, all with new teammates.
Historical past suggests Doncic will shut the season averaging an environment friendly 30-point triple-double. He averaged 31.6 factors, 10.6 rebounds and 9.6 assists at 45/40/77 splits post-All-Star break last year after capturing poorly from three by means of the early a part of the season.
And even when Doncic would not hit his peak kind within the ultimate 29 video games, the Lakers should really feel good coming into subsequent season. It is not a travesty to contemplate the 2024-25 marketing campaign a wash. This season marks the primary time Doncic did not make an All-Star group since his sophomore season. He is additionally ineligible for an All-NBA team, lacking out on the honour for the primary time since his second season in 2020-21. These anomalies additional the notion that this is not Doncic’s 12 months.
The next 29 video games are a take a look at run for Doncic and the Lakers. There should not be lofty expectations of them. It would not be honest to rookie head coach JJ Redick, Doncic and particularly not 40-year-old LeBron James. Their championship window formally opens in 2025-26.
