The Los Angeles Lakers recently posted public work published for head strength and conditioning coaches.
The list does not explicitly mention Slovenian skills as a requirement, but NBA insiders believe the move is linked to an increase in speculation about Luka Donsic’s future.
Following the Lakers’ disappointing first-round playoff exit, debate about Donsic’s conditioning has resurfaced the league-wide.
There are several reports that suggest that the Slovenian superstar’s weight is a consistent topic throughout his NBA career, and is a factor in rumors that the Dallas Mavericks will consider trading the franchise’s cornerstone.
The NBA legend Udonis Haslem provided an easier solution than hiring a professional coach. The former Miami Heat veteran thinks the Lakers already have the perfect role model for LeBron James.
“LeBron James. You’ll move next to him. Once you reach LA, we’ll make sure his home is near LeBron James’s.
“You’ll be in his pocket. This will be a lifestyle for you, Luka,” Haslem suggested.
From his first-hand experience as a former teammate of James, Haslem detailed the superstar’s extraordinary work ethic.
“This will be the new Luka Doncic because it follows in the footsteps of a guy I saw in 10th gear to practice at 9:00, where practice doesn’t start until 11:00.”
“He gets there at 9:45. He will be in the weight room until 10:30. By the time practice begins at 11am, he has had full sweat and full training. You will enter that guy’s pocket and learn how it will be done.”
Haslem’s recommendations have a considerable weight as James still performs up to his 40s at the elite level.
The four-time NBA champion’s legendary commitment to fitness and recovery has expanded his prime well beyond what he believes most.
If the Lakers are serious about pursuing Doncic and addressing his conditioning concerns, perhaps this solution is already leveraging examples in locker rooms rather than new employment.
As Haslem suggests, modeling the player himself after LeBron’s professional approach could be more effective than adding any training staff.