Lakers' Austin Reaves Unpacks Key Differences Between LeBron James, Luka Doncic

Mar 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23), guard Luka Doncic (77), and guard Austin Reaves (15) on the sidelines against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are enjoying a high-powered big three that could only spend one full season together, with guard/forward Luka Doncic, guard Austin Reaves and forward LeBron James leading the Lakers to a 20-7 record so far this season.

Doncic and James play different styles, but have drawn comparisons as two of the game's best playmakers.

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Reaves was asked recently by NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson to compare the two stars, who are on opposite trajectories as Doncic takes over as the Lakers' leading man as James' career is nearing its end.

"I think they're both unique, obviously in similar ways but in different ways as well," Reaves told Robinson. "LeBron's one of the best screensetter rollers, which you don't get credit for. And Luka, they both pass the ball so well that you know it's hard to throw different coverages at them. But if you do, if you trap 'em, you play four on three on the backside. So there's a lot of similarities but little differences, as you know."

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Both James and Doncic's passing capabilities were on full display Thursday night in the Lakers' 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz. The duo combined for 24 total assists, with James turning back the clock with a 28/7/10 performance and Doncic becoming just the fourth player in team history to record a 45-point triple-double.

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said he was impressed with the pair's commitment to playing off-ball.

Growth Playing Off The Ball

“Luka, being live on some stuff where he was off-ball and then making plays once he got the ball was awesome,” Redick told reporters after the game. "I felt like [on Thursday], especially Luka, LeBron, they really just bought into the off-ball stuff, and we milked a couple plays over and over again. They ended up getting the ball and then either having open shots or driving. They did a good job of that, and that’s gonna be a continuous thing throughout the year. Getting those guys to buy in has been good.”

The fit of Doncic, James and Reaves has been a bit uneven thus far. The trio's defensive issues are clouding what has been an encouraging performance on the other end of the hardwood.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.