Hall of Famer James Worthy offered a detailed assessment of the Los Angeles Lakers’ new All-NBA pairing, speaking with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson about the on-court dynamic between LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Worthy told Robinson he has “never seen a one-two punch like that,” noting the duo’s size, court vision, and ability to manage every possession with precision.
He pointed to James’ longevity as a key element, emphasizing that the 40-year-old forward continues to produce at a level unmatched for his age.
Doncic, who is in his first full season with the Lakers and averaging 34.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists, stood out to Worthy for his advanced feel for the game.
Worthy said Doncic “has already propelled himself into a veteran that understands the game,” highlighting how the 26-year-old’s command of spacing reminds him of Magic Johnson’s influence on past Lakers teams.
The Lakers’ guard-forward combination has fueled an 11–4 start, with James posting 11.0 points and 12.0 assists in his lone appearance after missing time due to a sciatica issue.
Worthy compared the current partnership to the Heat-era pairing of James and Dwyane Wade, telling Robinson the “only thing missing is a championship.”
He added that James’ production remains “really incredible for a 40-year-old,” reinforcing that a title is the benchmark that separates the earlier Miami tandem from this version in Los Angeles.
The supporting cast has complemented the high-usage pairing, with Austin Reaves supplying 28.1 points and 7.6 assists per game in his expanded role.
Deandre Ayton has given the Lakers interior balance with 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds, while Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia add wing scoring and defensive coverage.
Worthy also reflected on Pat Riley’s influence during his own career, describing the former Lakers coach as “vicious” in his standards.
He detailed how Riley pushed players daily but maintained a deep understanding of each personality inside the locker room. Worthy said Riley’s honesty shaped players’ development and created accountability throughout the roster.
