Kevon Looney Speaks On Luka Doncic’s Leadership And State Of The Lakers After First Team Minicamp

Critics are still split on how the Lakers stack up against the rest of the Western Conference. With the Thunder , Spurs , and Timberwolves widely viewed as the favorites, there's a growing sentiment that the Lakers still need a few more moves before they can truly compete for the title.

Still, there are early signs that the Lakers may be poised for another dominant regular season. Some such signs could be seen at Luka Doncic's minicamp this summer , which featured nearly every player on the roster. The event received glowing reviews from the team, including three-time champion Kevon Looney , who applauded Luka's display of leadership.

"Man, I've been in the league for a while, and that [trip to Slovenia] was my first time doing something like that. Going to somebody's country, bringing us out there, and spending that much time together. I never did that before," Looney said of Doncic during a recent interview with ESPN Radio's 'Mason & Ireland' podcast . He's a great player and a great leader. He likes to show what he can do on the court, and then we get to see his personality off the court. So it was great. We're going to follow him and run through a wall for him."

The Lakers moved like VIP's during the event, traveling in their own motorcade through the city and frequently stopping for autographs. While they spent time bonding through various activities, they also put in some work on the court to develop chemistry and ensure a smooth transition after a summer change .

Luka set the tone well with his leadership and planning, sending a message of unity and focus as he prepares for the upcoming season. Beyond Doncic , however, the Lakers have all the tools they need to succeed , and Looney believes they have a chance to go all the way.

"After going on that trip and spending time with Luka and getting to know the guys and playing pickup, playing five-on-five, I feel like we have a great chance," Looney added. "We have a lot of talent. We got high-end talent like Luka and AR, you always have a shot, and we have great role players and guys that got a chip on their shoulder, who want to prove themselves. I think we got a shot."

As a featured big man during the height of the Warriors dynasty, Looney knows what it takes to win, and he's seeing things on the Lakers that he never experienced with Golden State. How much that will translate into winning remains to be seen, but everyone seems committed to the same goal, and the vibes couldn't be better.

For Doncic, the pressure is on to lead this team to glory and prove that he's capable of being their franchise star for the next 10 years to come. With averages of 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game last season, we know his game is reliable, and the Lakers will need everything he can give to meet expectations and become a formidable force in the West.