James praised Doncic as a basketball expert: "IQ puts him on another level"

According to Nico Martinez, an analyst at US sports media F/W, James has now faced Doncic head-on many times. Since becoming a Lakers teammate, the respect between the two stars has only increased and not decreased. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, James kept praising Doncic for playing, calling him one of the smartest players in basketball. “I just like the way he treats the game,” James told the Wall Street Journal. "I like the way he plays. More importantly, man, he's just a great guy. Game master. I always use IQ as a measure of basketball, people who can 'think 'games. There are a lot of people in our league who can play games, but being able to think about games will take you to another level."

Doncic was a star in Dallas until he was suddenly traded to the Lakers in a big deal in early 2025. Doncic considered James his rival throughout his young career, but they quickly adapted since becoming a teammate. In the Lakers' first 28 games, with the help of LeBron, Doncic adapted to his usual rhythm, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists, with a strong shooting percentage of 43.8%. He led the Lakers into the playoffs but lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.

Entering the upcoming season, expectations for Doncic and the newly-looked Lakers could not be higher. He was reportedly at his best after performing well in European basketball and he would be more motivated than ever to prove his position as one of the best players in the game. For LeBron, who turned 41 in December, his partner with Doncic has given him a rejuvenation of his career. As someone with a strategic understanding of the sport, Doncic has a lot in common with LeBron, and their shared understanding of the sport makes fusion a breeze.

Just like Le James, Doncic likes to outwit his opponents, which is how he can score in various ways. Most importantly, this gives him a natural field view to making the right game in the right situation. With Doncic as the team's main ball handler, this will only enhance the offense and bring high-quality shooting opportunities to players such as LeBron, Reeves and Ayton. If the Lakers can stay healthy and stay focused, they may be enough to keep pace with the top Western Conference contenders.

Although the Doncic era has just begun, James has joined and he has a special appreciation for the young star's ability. So in the final scene of his career, LeBron should think he was lucky to play with someone who has the rare talent of “thinking” games like him. This is not a skill that everyone can master naturally, but Luca is one of the best skills in this area and now he can further improve his skills through one of the best on-field “thinkers” in the NBA. If their relationship continues to grow, the Lakers may stumble upon one of the most natural superstar combinations of this era. The relationship between the two people on and off the court is indeed increasing, but it is also crucial for the upcoming new season to transform into a tacit understanding of the court. What do you think?