Over the past few days, a lot has been published about something that still leaves many people speechless. From a mock funeral held outside the American Airlines Center.
Dallas fans swearing they’ll never watch another game until Nico Harrison leaves the Mavericks. Reports about Mark Cuban, who allegedly only found out about the trade minutes before it happened and tried to stop it at the last second. And how all of this led to Nico Harrison needing personal security due to the flood of death threats he received.
All that, just to get Anthony Davis – who got injured in his very first game.
You couldn’t write a better Hollywood script.
Except this isn’t a script. This is real.
From Dallas to Hollywood – Monday, 02/10, Los Angeles, Crypto.com Arena.
I hadn’t been this excited for a game in a long time. Even though it was just against the Utah Jazz – which was completely irrelevant in the bigger picture. Right before picking up my media credential, I saw the news that every fan attending Luka’s first game as a Laker would receive a free T-shirt jersey with his name on it.
At that moment, I was already impressed. These kinds of giveaways usually only happen when a jersey retirement is taking place or when the Lakers are in the Playoffs/Finals.
And that’s exactly how the entire night would continue – with the atmosphere reflecting the appreciation and excitement over the fact that Luka is now a Laker.
After quickly checking my assigned media seat, I walked onto the court, full of anticipation.
It didn’t even take a minute before I felt the first wave of chills.
The sight of the gold and purple-filled arena was simply magical. Every single yellow T-shirt jersey was carefully draped over the seats, perfectly displaying the purple #77 on the back.
In that moment, I thought for the first time: Luka belongs here.
Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson – and now Luka Magic.
I get why this upsets people. Why is it always the Lakers? Why do they always land the best players?
But one thing you have to admit about the Lakers: They understand what it means to do business. And that includes keeping the fans entertained and making sure players feel comfortable.
With the Lakers, you don’t miss out on anything. You get the full all-inclusive package – and the beautiful weather on top of it. Not to mention all the celebrities by wanting to watch you.
But with that privilege also comes responsibility. You have to deliver.
Wearing Purple and Gold is an honor, but it comes with pressure.
Not everyone can handle it.
But I’m starting to think that maybe Luka needs this pressure – to stay fit, to take his game to the next level, to stop staying in his comfort zone.
In Dallas, not much was expected from him. People were just grateful to have him.
But in L.A., that won’t be enough.
With the Lakers, you’re not just here to be appreciated – you’re here to win championships. And not just one.
During the pre-game press conference, I had the chance to ask JJ Redick about this very topic.
JJ Redick Quote:
“When I played with Luka, he was already a First-Team All-NBA player, considered one of the best players in the world. In the couple of years since I retired, he has taken his team to the Western Conference Finals and now to the NBA Finals. He has proven that he can elevate a team to be a contender.
I think, given where this group was prior to the trade and now having him, we have a chance to compete. And to your question, we have to continue to grow, we have to continue to improve, to integrate him into the team. That’s the challenge. Because he’s a competitor, he’s a killer, he wants to win. All these things have to meld together, and hopefully, they will.”
If I had to place a bet, I’d say we won’t have to wait long for the first championship of the Lakers-Luka-era.
After the press conference, the locker room opened up.
I had the chance to interview Maxi Kleber, which I’ll be publishing in the next few days.
And as if the night wasn’t already surreal enough, it was at that moment that I fully realized how crazy it is that Maxi is also a Laker now.
Maxi’s locker is to the left of Luka’s. Looking back, I regretted not asking him if players get to choose their locker neighbors or if it’s just assigned randomly.
I could totally imagine Luka being asked who he wanted to sit next to – and if he chose Maxi? That thought alone makes me smile.
Because on Luka’s right side is the entrance to the showers, meaning he technically only has one locker neighbor. Right after that entrance, LeBron’s locker is next.
Maxi was smiling throughout the entire interview. It made me so happy to see him in such a good place.
He’s optimistic about his foot recovery and expects to be back soon. But I’ll share the whole interview from our conversation in the upcoming days.
I can’t wait for Maxi to return to action. Especially after yesterday’s news that the Lakers waived Christian Wood and signed Alex Len from the Kings, I believe Maxi could become an essential piece for this team.
After that, I headed back to the court, where we were all waiting for Luka to come out for his first warm-up.
No matter where you were standing – even if you were deep in conversation – you couldn’t miss it.
The second he stepped out of the tunnel, a thunderous cheer erupted, instantly turning into Luka! chants.
The arena was only about one-quarter full at that moment, yet it already felt like the NBA Finals. That’s how loud it was.
It took about two minutes before he started shooting – and right on cue, the hip-hop music switched to Slovenian folk music. Just like he always did in Dallas.
He ended his session the same way he always does, with half-court shots. After missing three in a row, he had to do push-ups as a penalty.
The whole time, he was smiling.
I could go on and on about every little detail because it truly made me happy to see him this happy – but then this column would turn into a book.
One last special moment I have to mention:
We later found out that LeBron texted Luka the night before and told him he wanted Luka to be the last name announced in the starting lineup – a moment that usually belongs to LeBron himself.
And when the arena announcer finally called Luka’s name?
You cannot imagine how loud it was.
19,000 fans, all chanting “Luka!” in unison. I had goosebumps all over.
I’ve covered some historic NBA games – LeBron and Bronny’s first game together, LeBron’s 40,000th career point – but this?
This was another level.
The Magic is back in the building.
Until next time,
Your Flight Girl
