Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic knows a thing or two about Kobe Bryant’s mentality, having spent six years as his teammate during some of the franchise’s most iconic runs. So when he compares Luka Doncic to the late legend, it carries weight.
Appearing on The Travis & D’Marco Show, Vujacic shared his belief that Doncic has brought the same killer instinct Kobe carried during his prime.
"I think that, you know, not to diss Dallas, I think Luka's lights and capability were way too big for the Dallas spotlight. I think Luka is the perfect guy that we need in LA to carry us to the next championship."
"And I said it a long time ago when I watched him play, there are glimpses that I see from Kobe in his eyes. He plays with a smile, but he wants to kill you. I think there was a saying in our locker room, like, you smell blood, when you smell blood, you go at him, right?"
"And I think that Luka is one of those very few individuals in the league that has that demeanor and has that mindset of trying to go to the next level. And I think it's going to be a fun year. And I'm really happy he's with us."
The remarks hit home for Lakers fans who still see Kobe as the gold standard for intensity and competitiveness. Vujacic described it as something Kobe carried into every practice and game: a refusal to back down, a drive to attack when sensing weakness.
The comparison is not casual. Vujacic was there for Kobe’s defining moments, including the 2009 and 2010 championship runs, and he knows the mindset it took. For him to point out those same traits in Doncic suggests the Lakers may have found the right superstar to usher in a new era.
Doncic’s move to Los Angeles has already shifted the balance of power across the NBA. In his first year with the Lakers, the team fell short in the playoffs, but it was evident that the foundation of a new contender was in place.
Now, with a retooled roster and LeBron James still alongside him, Doncic has a chance to replicate what Kobe once did, carry the franchise to the top of the basketball world.
Like Kobe, Doncic combines skill with an unrelenting competitive fire. His ability to smile in the midst of chaos yet punish defenses relentlessly is exactly what Vujacic was referencing. That blend of joy and ruthlessness defined Kobe, and Vujacic sees Luka walking that same line.
Of course, Doncic still has work to do to match Kobe’s five championships and countless legendary moments. But the attitude, the glare in the eyes, and the relentless nature on the floor are all there. And for a franchise that has always thrived on star power and killer instinct, hearing a former Laker call Luka the heir to that Mamba mentality is a statement of faith.
For Vujacic, who once shared the floor with Kobe, the message is clear: the Lakers didn’t just get a superstar in Luka Doncic, they got someone with the rare mindset needed to keep the banners coming.
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