Luka Doncic is the undisputed face of the Los Angeles Lakers now, following LeBron James’ departure, and promised the fans that the team is ready to make a serious charge to an NBA title.
In a full-page ad that ran in the Los Angeles Times, Doncic wrote that “the run for a championship” begins Wednesday and that the team’s fans deserve a level of play that matches the intensity of its supporters.
“From the moment I arrived in LA, you welcomed me with open arms. That is something I will never forget,” Doncic wrote. “So here is my promise to you: we are going to give you everything we have, every single night. No excuses. No nights off.”
In turn, the six-time All-Star asked fans to come along for the ride.
“You are the best fans in the world, and we are going to need you,” he wrote. “Every game, bring it with us.”
The Lakers were 53-29 last season and had the fourth-best record in the Western Conference. But Doncic, a six-time All-NBA first team selection, missed the last two weeks of the regular season and the playoffs with a hamstring injury, as Los Angeles was eliminated in the second round.
James departed in the offseason and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. It left the Lakers to retool the roster with the likes of new additions Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams, among others.
The Lakers last won the NBA title in the pandemic season of 2020 and have advanced past the first round of the playoffs twice in the past six seasons. Doncic hopes to return the Lakers to their former glory that includes 17 NBA championships.
“Each of us understands what it means to put on this purple and gold jersey and follow the players who wore it before us,” Doncic wrote. “It means so much because of the passion and dedication that generations of you all have shown for this team.”
The Lakers open the season Wednesday night at home against the Golden State Warriors. According to DraftKings, as of Wednesday afternoon, Los Angeles had the 14th-best odds of winning the title at +4000.
