LeBron James Names Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham as His Favorites

LeBron James made a major confession about Luka Doncic amid a growing Kobe Bryant comparison.

Speaking after the Philadelphia 76ers' 112-106 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, James was asked about Pistons star Cade Cunningham.

He didn't just praise Cunningham.

He brought up his former Lakers teammate, Luka Doncic, in the same breath.

"I love the big guard, the big guard that can do multiple things," James said.

"That's why I love Luka as well."

James then made it clear: "Always stated that Luka and Cade are two of my favorite players, guys that can just do multiple things on the floor, and it's great to see where Cade is to."

The comment came on the same night Doncic received a much bigger comparison.

Kendrick Perkins, speaking on the Road Trippin' podcast, called Doncic the closest thing to Kobe Bryant among the league's young stars.

"Why? Because he don't give a damn," Perkins said.

"And when I say don't give a damn, he don't give a damn honestly, what his teammates how they feel about him when they're on the floor. It's not a shot that he don't love or don't think that he can't make, and he can make them."

Perkins added: "He's the closest thing to Kobe, not game-wise, mentality-wise, out of all the young guys that I done seen."

Doncic heard about the comparison after the Lakers' 116-103 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

It was his 100th game with the Lakers.

"It's a lot of honor," Doncic said.

"I think we all know who Kobe was, you know, what he meant to everybody, especially basketball-wise. He was an idol for a lot of people, so it means a lot that I'm mentioned next to his name."

Doncic had just backed up the comparison on the court.

He scored 40 points that night, his sixth straight game with at least 35.

That made him only the third Laker to do that, after Bryant and Elgin Baylor.

Through nine games this season, Doncic is averaging 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists.

The Lakers improved to 7-2 after the win.

Doncic has now scored 40 or more in three straight games.

LeBron James, now with the Philadelphia 76ers, watched all of this from afar.

His praise for Doncic and Cunningham came naturally, without any prompting about the Kobe comparison.

Cade Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons' young star, has been having a strong season of his own.

James made it clear he's been watching both players closely.

The comment about "the big guard that can do multiple things" is a clear nod to the style both Doncic and Cunningham play.

Both are tall, versatile playmakers who can score, pass and rebound.

Doncic, at 6-foot-7, has been one of the most dominant players in the league since entering the NBA in 2018.

Cunningham, at 6-foot-6, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

James's praise carries weight because of his own legacy.

He is a four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP and the league's all-time leading scorer.

When he says a player is one of his favorites, people listen.

The timing of the comment is also notable.

It came the same night Perkins made the Kobe comparison, creating a wave of discussion around Doncic.

Doncic responded to the comparison with humility.

He acknowledged what Kobe meant to the basketball world.

He said being mentioned next to his name is an honor.

Perkins's reasoning for the comparison focused on mentality, not playing style.

He said Doncic doesn't care what others think, a trait he saw in Bryant.

"You have to have the kahunas, the onions to be able to perform and not give a damn on the stage like LA, because we all know it's certain cities that come with so much pressure," Perkins said.

Doncic has thrived under that pressure in Los Angeles.

His scoring streak has put him in elite company alongside Bryant and Baylor.

The Lakers are off to a strong start this season, thanks largely to Doncic's play.

LeBron James, meanwhile, is adjusting to life with the 76ers.

He left the Lakers in the offseason after four seasons with the team.

His relationship with Doncic during their time together in Los Angeles has been a topic of debate.

Bill Simmons recently claimed that James was "miserable" playing with Doncic last year.

But James's latest comments suggest nothing but respect for his former teammate.

Calling Doncic one of his favorite players is a strong endorsement.

It also shows that James is paying close attention to the league even as he plays for a different team.

The 76ers are 7-2 this season, matching the Lakers' record.

Both teams are near the top of their respective conferences.

James's praise for Cunningham is also significant.

Cunningham has been the face of the Pistons' rebuild.

He is averaging career highs in points, assists and rebounds this season.

James called him "great to see" in terms of his development.

The comment from James came after the 76ers' win over the Pistons.

So it was a natural moment to ask about Cunningham.

But James chose to expand the answer to include Doncic.

That choice says something about how he views both players.

He sees them as similar — big guards who can do everything on the floor.

It is a rare moment of public praise from one superstar to another.

James is not known for freely handing out compliments to other players.

When he does, it usually means something.