3 things that should excite Lakers fans from Luka Doncic's introductory press conference

For any Los Angeles Lakers fans wondering if the Luka Doncic news was too good to be true, worry no longer. Doncic was officially introduced on Tuesday, and he fielded questions alongside the man who pulled off one of the most shocking trades in sports history, general manager Rob Pelinka.

Doncic was dressed in a sweater and looked in many ways like an eager-to-please but nervous boy about to meet his girlfriend's parents. His press conference was very sincere, as he spoke about the way he always envisioned spending his career with the Mavericks because Dallas had become home to him.

Doncic said all the right things about being excited for the opportunity and being proud to join such a storied franchise, but he didn't oversell joining the Lakers because he still looked a bit dazed at the shock of it all. It was all pretty endearing, as unlike some other professional athletes, he didn't come off as a gun-for-hire. He was very human, which bodes well for the kind of person the Lakers are getting.

Though some of his answers were kind of by-the-numbers, Doncic threw in a few nuggets that should have Lakers fans even more excited to see him in action. Here are the three best.

LeBron James called right away

It's been reported that LeBron James was just as shocked as anybody when hearing about the trade, as he was having dinner with family after Saturday night's win over the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. James certainly had a lot to process in that moment, as although he was gaining one of the best players in the league as a teammate, he was also losing one in Anthony Davis, somebody that he had won a championship with.

Doncic revealed that James called him shortly after the news broke. He said, "We didn’t talk much because he said ‘I understand what you’re feeling.’ But that was really nice of him just to call me right away and welcome me to L.A.”

Right after the Doncic trade was announced, some people began speculating that LeBron could be the next Laker on the move, possibly to the Warriors to join up with Steph Curry. That suggestion seemed laughable, and especially so now that Doncic confirmed that James called him so quickly.

These two could make beautiful music on the court together, and Doncic spoke briefly about how he sees his game meshing with James'. "I think we both make our teammates better," he said. "I think our IQ is very high. So I think that’s going to help everybody."

Lakers fans shouldn't have to wait long to see Doncic and James together, as they're expected to share the court before the All-Star Break.

Luka Doncic shows that he understands Lakers history

There are certain franchises that carry a different level of respect than the rest. The New York Yankees. The Boston Celtics. The Pittsburgh Steelers. And yes, the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic quickly ingratiated himself to Lakers fans by showing that he understands what it means to put on that purple and gold jersey.

Doncic was asked about the first time he met Kobe Bryant, and he broke into a grin as he recalled it. "I remember the exact moment that happened," he said. "It will always stay in my mind. It was an amazing moment. Just for Kobe to know my name was amazing to me. And I wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment."

Lakers fans defend and love Kobe Bryant like no other fanbase loves any other player, so for Doncic to show how special Bryant was to him as well really got him off on the right foot. He also called the Lakers "the greatest team in the world," which should only further endear him to his new fanbase.

Questions about his conditioning have motivated Luka Doncic

Doncic gave a simple answer when asked what he thought of the criticism that has followed him out of Dallas about his conditioning and durability. "It's a motive," he said, which has to be music to Lakers fans' ears.

It's not uncommon for a team to leak hurtful tidbits about a player that has recently left the team. It's a pretty gross aspect of sports, but we unfortunately see it all the time. Doncic is one of the best players in the game today, and this shows that even a player of his caliber isn't immune to getting that kind of treatment.

Mavericks fans are already on suicide watch. Some even brought a coffin to the American Airlines Center after the trade was announced. Mavs general manager Nico Harrison is now the most hated man in Dallas for trading away such a beloved star, and he's not helping himself by planting seeds that cast Doncic in a bad light.

Harrison better be very nervous about what he has wrought, because a motivated Luka is a dangerous Luka. This is one of the most competitive people in the game, a guy whose look at Devin Booker after torching the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs has become a go-to meme for getting the last laugh. Doncic screamed at Ruby Gobert after hitting a game-winning shot over him in last year's Western Conference Finals like Gobert was the biggest piece of excrement on the planet (the Frenchman is 7-foot-2, but still).

Doncic has never had one of the best bodies in the NBA, but just look at what he's done already. If Harrison has given him any extra motivation to be the best player he can be, it's going to spell trouble for the rest of the league. Doncic might go for 50 every time he plays the Mavs just to rub it in.