Vujacic: 'Doncic finally is a Laker' thanks to Ljubljana minicamp

Sasha Vujacic stopped in the middle of a practice court at an old school in Ljubljana, watching Luka Doncic directing his new Los Angeles Lakers teammates through a passing drill. His two championship rings glistened under the afternoon lights. Fifteen years earlier, Vujacic was part of a championship team with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Today, he sees a similar image in Doncic. "I think he's finally a Laker, Laker," Vujacic told ESPN Los Angeles. That statement comes from a man with authority. Vujacic is not only a former Laker; he is Slovenian, understanding Doncic – his fellow countryman – better than any American analyst. He also just spent four days in Ljubljana accompanying his old team in a combined training and charity event organized with the Lakers Youth Foundation. So what makes a man who once lived the "Lakers, Lakers, Lakers" culture deliver such a weighty assessment? The context is an almost entirely rebuilt Lakers roster. Since Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks in February, the team has undergone many personnel and cultural changes. Last season, Doncic was just getting his feet wet, with no time to practice alongside his teammates, no full summer for the coaching staff to instill the entire philosophy. That period, as Vujacic subtly suggested, only made Doncic look like a "borrowed star" rather than a true leader. The Ljubljana minicamp rewrote that narrative. Doncic personally acted as organizer, choosing the venue, and contacting teammates to arrange schedules. Austin Reaves – considered Doncic's "deputy" – flew over from Los Angeles; Sandro Mamukelashvili, the new signing who joined the Lakers this summer, was also present; a host of young players and coaching staff members appeared in force. There was no official team camera, no media pressure. Only a modest gym and candid conversations in the locker room. This is exactly the point that tactical analysts may miss. The value generated in such an event cannot be measured by true shooting percentage or defensive rating. It is like laying the foundation of a building before constructing the rest. A team with five new players needs to know where a teammate likes to receive the ball, needs to understand each other's personalities when cornered. Real scrimmages in the official training camp are the tip of the iceberg; the hidden part is the understanding between individuals, and Doncic chose to build that hidden part first. Choosing Ljubljana rather than Los Angeles was a deliberate message. Doncic wanted his teammates to see where he grew up, to understand the roots of a man who left home at 13 to chase the European dream. He took them to small streets, told stories of after-school shooting sessions until dark. For a group of players from different cultures, this act connects more strongly than any motivational speech. Vujacic praised Doncic for setting aside superstar fame to do logistical work. "He didn't have to do this," the 41-year-old former guard stressed. "But he wants his teammates to understand that he truly needs them." Does that detail show Doncic matured from last season's Western Conference finals failure? Or is it simply a smart team-building move? Both. On the technical side, the minicamp also had a specific goal: testing how Doncic and Reaves – whom Vujacic affectionately calls "AR" – can run the backcourt together. Reaves is no longer an undrafted free agent or a late second-round pick; he is a player with a big contract and a bigger scoring responsibility. Vujacic admitted: "Looking at him and AR, and the team we have – I'm really excited." That statement confirms the Lakers will revolve around the Doncic-Reaves duo, not anyone else. Vujacic also revealed that he had to pause his own wine business, Aleksander Wine, to come to Slovenia. His presence, along with praise for Doncic's leadership, was like a symbolic handover between the old generation of Lakers legends and the new leader in Los Angeles. The Lakers have always prided themselves on a "family" culture extending from Jerry West, Magic Johnson, to Kobe Bryant. Now Doncic is expected to write that legacy with his own chapters. The commercial value of the Ljubljana trip is not small either. The Lakers are strengthening their global image, and Doncic is the key to unlocking the European market in general and the Balkan region in particular. When images of Doncic leading teammates to visit an elementary school or interacting with Slovenian youth appear on social media, the team is not only building an image but also expanding a new fan base. Long term, this can translate into sponsorship revenue, followers, and media rights value. In a league where teams constantly seek off-roster advantages, this is a defensive move for the brand. Of course, one must mention the double-edged nature of summer stories. The NBA is full of praised "team-bonding trips" that are quickly forgotten when December arrives. A minicamp creates no defensive advantage, does not help the Lakers counter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's speed or Nikola Jokic's strength. Doncic still needs to improve his conditioning, Reaves must prove himself in playoff matchups, and the new collective still needs dozens of official games to run smoothly. Today's excitement may be an illusion if these issues are not solved through actual work. Vujacic knows better than anyone that a championship culture is not built on nice comments in the summer. When he played, Kobe Bryant maintained a ruthless standard by waking up at 4 a.m., arriving at the gym before sunrise. Doncic is not Kobe, and does not need to become Kobe. But if he wants to be mentioned among Lakers legends – those who speak with victories, not promises – the upcoming season is the biggest test. Ljubljana is the beginning, not the destination. When the ball is tipped in Sacramento on opening night, the handshakes, the dinners, and the intimate games in the Slovenian gym will be just memories. On the court, Doncic's Lakers will face the unforgiving reality of the West. But for Vujacic, the important thing is that Doncic no longer acts like a hired star giving his all: "Finally, he is a real Laker." The answer to whether Doncic can turn that assessment into a 18th championship for Los Angeles will begin this October.