Once the shock had worn off, Luka Doncic realized he had a special opportunity on his hands.
He and the rest of the NBA had no idea his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers was coming.
The biggest benefit of the move for Doncic came in his newfound proximity to LeBron James.
Doncic got the chance to see greatness up close and personal.
He and James built on-court chemistry as the rest of the season went on before a disappointing playoff exit.
But Doncic also realized just what it takes to be great.
On the new episode of Mind the Game, the podcast hosted by LeBron and Steve Nash, Doncic was a special guest. And Nash asked him what he saw out of James that most surprised him.
“Well first of all, he shows up like 10 hours before the game," Doncic said, prompting a laugh from the King. "I came to the arena and he was already done working out. I was like, ‘What?’”
There's a chance Doncic is exaggerating slightly, but James isn't the first superstar known for getting in workouts long before anyone else was around. Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was famous for that, too.
NBA fans who like knocking Doncic's fitness might suggest he should do that, too.
And in all seriousness, that might be an aspect of James' preparation that Doncic tries to incorporate himself. Once you've seen an all-time great operate, it's easier to pursue greatness yourself.
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