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, along with his calf harm and conditioning points, could possibly be broken items.
That will be a gross exaggeration.
Except 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 below him, coming off probably 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 sluggish starter all through his profession. Whether or not because 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 taking pictures poorly from three via the early a part of the season.
And even when Doncic does not hit his peak type within the last 29 video games, the Lakers should really feel good getting into subsequent season. It isn’t a travesty to contemplate the 2024-25 marketing campaign a wash. This season marks the primary time Doncic didn’t make an All-Star workforce since his sophomore season. He is additionally ineligible for an All-NBA team, lacking out on the glory for the primary time since his second season in 2020-21. These anomalies additional the notion that this is not Doncic’s yr.
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 truthful to rookie head coach JJ Redick, Doncic and particularly not 40-year-old LeBron James. Their championship window formally opens in 2025-26.
