The Los Angeles Lakers may already be preparing for life after LeBron James, but in Luka Doncic, the franchise believes it has found its next global icon.Lakers governor Jeanie Buss didnt hold back when discussing Doncics impact, both on and off the court, during an interview with Stephen A. Smith.I knew he was a great player, an All-Star, but the fact that he joins the Lakers and immediately becomes the number one selling jersey in the NBA, that he led the league in scoring, Buss told ESPNs Stephen A. Smith, via HoopsHype. I knew he was good. What he brings to us globally in terms of fans, we just have so much to look forward to, to watch him continue to grow. And hes a winner. He wants to win.Doncics arrival has already delivered on that promise. In his first full season in Los Angeles, he captured the scoring title and re-established the Lakers as a global focal point, something the organization has long prided itself on.His blend of production and personality has quickly made him the centerpiece of the franchises future.But for Buss, the connection runs deeper than basketball.And, of course, I have a soft spot in my heart for him because the last time I saw Kobe alive was about a month before he passed, he came to the Lakers-Dallas game with Gigi, because Luka was Gigis favorite player, Buss said. So I know that Kobe would be excited that hes now a Laker and will continue to lead this franchise into the foreseeable future.The mention of Kobe Bryant adds a powerful layer to Doncics place within the organization. One of Bryants final public appearances came while watching Doncic play, making his eventual move to Los Angeles feel like a full-circle moment.Related Article: Victor Wembanyama Makes History as First Unanimous DPOYREAD MORE: Draymond Green Casts Doubt on Steve Kerrs Warriors Future
