Derek Fisher knows firsthand what it takes to win at the highest level. While he was never the player that franchises built around, he witnessed it up close with Shaquille O’Neal and later Kobe Bryant, two legends who carried the Los Angeles Lakers to championship glory.
Fast-forward to today, and Luka Doncic has stepped into those same big shoes. Like it or not, every superstar who has worn the purple and gold has been expected to deliver the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The list is long: Jerry West, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Shaq, and Kobe, among other greats. And now, the spotlight shifts to Doncic.
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Fisher addressed what lies ahead for Doncic
D-Fish addressed what lies ahead for the Slovenian superstar, especially with the post-LeBron era on the horizon.
“The responsibility is, it’s hard to describe. My shoes were never the size of Luka’s, in terms of really carrying the franchise into the next iteration and generation. I think the biggest thing is being a champion,” Fisher said on ESPN LA.
“While Lakers fans and the organization are always going to go for it every season, for Luka and guys that look like they’re going to be here for multiple years, you still have to have the willingness to play the long game. Right? You’re looking to win now, but your habits have to last for a decade,” Fisher concluded.
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It’s likely Fisher was hinting at Doncic’s well-documented battles with weight. Fans witnessed the transformation this summer as Luka shed pounds while training intensely on the Croatian island of Krk. But Fisher’s message is clear – it can’t just be one offseason. As the team’s leader and example in the locker room, it has to become a way of life.
Having shared a locker room with someone like Kobe, D-Fish knows exactly what relentless dedication looks like. The Black Mamba’s legendary work ethic stretched across 20 years, and that’s the standard Fisher suggests Doncic must embrace.
Though Doncic is still just 26 and hasn’t even entered his full prime, he’s already logged 10 years as a pro, making him both young and seasoned at the same time. With each passing year, the pressure for titles and MVPs grows simply because he’s that good.
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Passion for the game has never been in doubt
Former Luka’s teammate Boban Marjanovic believes Doncic is ready to make the leap and win the MVP award next season.
“I know his mental strength and how he works and how he basically plays for his national team every summer, even if he’s tired. He’ll have a full season in the NBA, and he’s still right now in the national team and playing for his country. What makes him like yes, you know, you’re never tired, you work hard, and everything he does, he works because of basketball,” said Boban.
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Doncic’s passion for the game has never been questioned. But as Fisher’s subtle message underlines, raw talent alone doesn’t guarantee rings. Consistency does.
Kobe embodied that by repeating his habits until exhaustion. Fisher suggests Luka must do the same if he wants to become the next superstar to lead the Lakers to the top of the NBA.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.