Luka Doncic says it feels great in Lakers weird media day without LeBron James

Things felt different at Lakers media day. Their megastar over the last eight years was nearly 3,000 miles away, talking about trying to win a championship in Philadelphia. It was weird. This has never happened to the Lakers before.A superstar has never chosen to leave the purple and gold. Let that sink in for a second. The Lakers’ biggest stars have all opted to end their careers in Los Angeles, including Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant.

Some superstars have been traded, such as Shaquille O’Neal. But none have chosen to leave. So, things felt a little odd at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo on Monday.There were fewer reporters.There was less sparkle.

Less intrigue.The Lakers have one of the top four players in the NBA in Luka Doncic, but they lost one of the greatest players of all-time. The longest-tenured player on the Lakers now? Austin Reaves.The most charismatic? Arguably Walker Kessler, who keeps talking about wanting to run through walls for the Lakers. Sure, James not being on the Lakers is old news.

He chose to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers in free agency in July.But this is the first time we saw it.

This is the first time we felt it. James was wearing a blue and red jersey.And the Lakers were really without him. Some people think they’re better off. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Thursday that this is the first time since he took over the helm in June 2024 that all of the pieces fit. Doncic didn’t hesitate when asked how he feels now that the Lakers are his team. “It feels great,” Doncic said.

“…I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me.”Even Bronny James didn’t blink when asked about his father taking his talents across the country.“We’re men of very little words when it comes to talking about business and what we’re going to do and how we feel about each other, so there wasn’t really much to be honest with y...