Luka Doncic's Former Coach Isn't Concerned With His Fit With LeBron James: 'They're Both Impossible to Gameplan For'
Luka Doncic's Former Coach Isn't Concerned With His Fit With LeBron James: Jan 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (center) talks with team staff during the second quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Feb 10, 2025 2:19 AM ET
Concerns have been raised about Luka Doncic‘s possible position with the Los Angeles Lakers following the acquisition. Especially considering that he would be playing with LeBron James, a star player who shares his style of play.
Doncic needs the ball to be in his hands most of the time as he has an incredible skill to control the pace of the game. The Slovenian star also gets his teammates involved in the offense with his elite court vision. Similarly, James is the same way when he’s on the court. The only difference is that the four-time champion is a bit more athletic.
However, according to Rick Carlisle, his previous head coach, the Lakers should not have any issues with having two similar players on the floor.
“I don’t see any world in which it doesn’t work, right? As I’ve thought about all these events of the last few days, a couple things strike me,” the Indiana Pacers head coach said. “We’re talking about two guys who really, when they simply came into the world and started playing basketball, were expected to be guys that would have statues built for them. The level of expectation on these two guys is just hard to fathom.
“These two guys are surgeons, the way that they dissect games. They’re really both impossible to gameplan for. You have to decide how you’re willing to lose, that’s what it comes down to. This is the Lakers, a larger than life legacy franchise.”
Rick Carlisle, who coached Luka Doncic in Dallas, isn't concerned about the fit with LeBron James.https://t.co/0p5BL2UsoI
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) February 10, 2025
Carlisle coached Doncic from his rookie year until the 2020-21 season with the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran coach is experienced and has witnessed the growth of the five-time All-Star.
LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on February 4, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. Adam Pantozzi, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP
After the trade that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, it seemed to have caused a domino effect. The fans have started to turn their backs against the organization and Slovenian assistant coach Marko Milic has left the staff. NBA Insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday that Milic didn’t want to be part of a Doncic-less Mavs team.
Marko Milić has left the Mavericks' coaching staff in the wake of the Luka Dončić trade, sources tell @TheSteinLine.
Milić was the first Slovenian to play in the NBA and, I'm told, did not wish to stay with the Luka-less Mavericks.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/jkBEbr3Onp
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 9, 2025
Milic was the first basketball player from Slovenia to play in the NBA. He suited up for the Phoenix Suns for two seasons (1997-98; 1998-99). The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 2.5 points on 56% shooting from the field and played 44 games during his time in the league. During that time, he was Jason Kidd’s teammate.
The assistant coach joined the Mavericks in 2022. For now, it’s unsure if the Lakers will hire Milic for Doncic’s sake.
