More than a decade ago, when LeBron James was in his absolute prime – though he’s been in it for most of his career – the search began for his successor. Many players came through the league whose playing style reminded people of LeBron. You’ll remember Tyreke Evans rookie season or the early years of Ben Simmons, both with size, vision and basketball IQ to maybe reach LeBron’s heights. None did.
And then, out of nowhere, came a teenager from Slovenia, who arrived in the NBA as a EuroBasket and EuroLeague champion with MVP honors. Of course, we’re talking about Luka Doncic, who is arguably the closest player to LeBron we’ve seen. While Luka is even more of a scorer, both play team-oriented basketball, filled with dazzling passes that lift fans out of their seats.
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Doncic is drastically working to transform his body
Now at 26, Doncic is drastically working to transform his body, increasingly aware that talent alone isn’t enough to reach the top in the NBA. Hard work is required, and he proved he’s serious this summer, training almost spartan-style on the Croatian island of Krk to shed extra weight.
“You know what? I always find this—iron sharpens iron,” Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean told BasketNews. “When you’re around really good players, it’s just like when you’re a coach, and you’re around a really good coach. You can’t help but be motivated to continue to get better at your craft.”
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“I think Luka’s learned a little bit from every great player he’s been around. And I know he’s always looked up to LeBron. He’s always been somebody he’s really admired. So I think having those two together is obviously motivating. I think it’s two-way motivating as well. I don’t think it’s just a one-way street.”
Doncic’s off-court habits were nothing like LeBron’s
When the two unexpectedly ended up on the same team last season, many questioned how two players with such similar styles could fit together. The answer came quickly, and they were amazing. Still, Luka was processing the painful exit from the Dallas Mavericks and adjusting to a new environment, while James was learning to navigate a new team dynamic.
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But when two players with such high basketball IQs share the floor, it doesn’t take long to figure out what it takes to win. Doncic himself has often said he modeled his game after The King, but his off-court habits were nothing like LeBron’s, who reportedly invests over a million dollars a year into his body.
Doncic, much like Nikola Jokic, carried more of a Balkan mentality, often seen in the offseason with a beer in hand and a few extra pounds. Even though both dominated regardless, they’ve realized success requires dedication off the court, too.
Lebron’s influence has been crucial in pushing Luka to take care of his body
As St. Jean claims Lebron’s influence has been crucial in pushing Luka to take care of his body like never before, especially with expectations growing that he must finally capture his first NBA title. Still, there are skeptics like former Lakers guard Derek Fisher, who won five titles with the franchise, reminding that one strong offseason isn’t enough, urging Luka to adapt Kobe Bryant’s like consistency.
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“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 Luka modeled his game after LeBron, he also openly admitted how much Kobe’s killer instinct shaped him. That’s why this could be a perfect fit. As one of the best all-around players in the league, when Luka flips that killer-mode switch, he’s unstoppable. And with this new body transformation, it could become scary hours for the rest of the league.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.