Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher has a message for Luka Doncic as the All-Star guard prepares for his first full season in purple and gold: think beyond immediate results and develop habits that can sustain a championship run for years.
Appearing on ESPN LA, the five-time NBA champion said leading the Lakers carries a unique weight. “The responsibility is hard to describe,” Fisher explained. “You’re looking to win now, but your habits have to last for a decade.”
Doncic, 26, arrived from the Dallas Mavericks after guiding that franchise to the 2024 NBA Finals. Although he has yet to experience a full campaign under the Lakers’ title-or-bust expectations, Fisher believes the Slovenian star is equipped for the spotlight if he commits to long-term preparation.
Concerns about Doncic’s conditioning earlier in his career have eased after an offseason in which he reportedly revamped his fitness routine. Fisher noted that maintaining those new standards is critical to reaching the “next iteration and generation” of Lakers success.
Sasha Vujacic Says Doncic Fits L.A. Spotlight
Another former Laker, Sasha Vujacic, also endorsed the franchise’s new centerpiece. The Slovenian guard called Doncic “the perfect guy” to guide Los Angeles back to a championship, adding that the 6-foot-7 playmaker shows “glimpses of Kobe” in his competitive mindset.
With training camp for the 2025-26 season on the horizon, the Lakers will soon see whether Doncic’s offseason transformation and Fisher’s advice translate into the habits required to capture the organization’s 18th NBA title.
Source: LakersNation
