LeBron James and another great ball-handler, Luka Doncic are on the same team once again. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James ran the show in Cleveland from 2014 to 2017, winning a championship along the way. But by the end of the 2016-17 season, things had soured. Word was that Irving wasn’t happy with how the team seemed to cater to LeBron, and that frustration pushed him toward the exit.

But it looks like that won’t be the case in Hollywood as Luka Doncic makes his debut for the Lakers. LeBron James has switched teams more than once, so he knows the pressure that comes with it. He wasn’t about to let Luka overthink things before their first game together. And it might also his way of handing the torch forward.

Luka got a special moment during the Lakers’ starting lineup introductions before their blowout win over the Jazz. Instead of LeBron James being announced last, Doncic took that spot for the night. Earlier in the day, James had texted him about the introductions, letting Luka decide the order. Dončić told him he’d like to go last just this once before returning to the usual lineup.

“He let me have my moment,” Doncic said, appreciating the gesture reported Dave McMenamin. Looks like the Lakers are ready for a new era. They have their face of the franchise for the next decade. And we feel LeBron knows it too. He’s doing everything in his power to make him feel welcomed.

Right before tip-off, James huddled up with Doncic and made sure the 25-year-old got the message loud and clear: “Luka, be your f—ing self. Don’t fit in, fit the f–k out.” Well it certainly would’ve helped the Slovenian star calm down a bit before the big moment. Doncic admitted he felt some nerves before tipoff. But after LeBron’s pregame speech? That was a whole different story.

“After that speech, it was chills,” the 5x All-Star said, describing the moment reported LoJo Media. LeBron wasn’t the only one who’s made Luka feel welcomed. Doncic also had a memorable first meeting with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. “You are going to have your own section in Lakers history,” she told Doncic, embracing him as a key part of the team’s future.

The Lakers surely want his signature and lock him in for a decade at least! We’ll be watching how things unfold. But today the Lakers put on a dominant display.

Luka Doncic’s debut was spectacle to behold

Luka Doncic’s Lakers debut wasn’t just another game—it was a full-blown spectacle against the Jazz. His name and number covered every seat on giveaway shirts, Slovenian music played pregame, and every time his face hit the jumbotron, the crowd went wild. This was the moment Lakers fans had been waiting for.

And right there with him? LeBron James. LeBron, clearly hyped, even warmed up in a Doncic shirt. Once the game started, he let the offense flow, not taking a shot for nearly six minutes.

Doncic had flashes of brilliance—a nasty stepback three for his first bucket, a full-court dime to LeBron, and a lockdown defensive stand on Jordan Clarkson. But rust showed, too. Playing for the first time since Christmas, he missed six threes and nine shots overall. JJ Redick kept his minutes limited to 23, with Doncic finishing at 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

The Lakers (32-19) kept rolling, winning for the 12th time in 14 games. LeBron dominated with 24 points, Austin Reaves added 22, and Rui Hachimura dropped 21. Jaxson Hayes, now the starting center after the Mark Williams trade fell through, didn’t miss a shot.

Next up for the Lakers? A trip to Utah before the All-Star break.