Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has committed to adopting a rigorous work ethic inspired by Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, known for their relentless offseason training routines. Facing criticism for his conditioning, the Slovenian star has revamped his diet and workout plan to endure the exhaustive 82-game NBA schedule and the intense demands of playoff basketball.

Doncic’s struggles with stamina, especially during the 2023 and 2024 playoffs, led to diminished defensive performance in crunch time. Observers connected these issues to his offseason habits, with speculation arising around personal lifestyle choices that may have influenced his fitness.

Drawing Motivation from Kobe Bryant’s Sacrifices

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan’s offseason discipline is legendary, as both committed to extensive training sessions that prepared them physically and mentally for each season. Their routines often involved twice-daily workouts, foregoing vacations and personal time to maintain peak conditioning. This dedication allowed them to sustain high-level performance well into their careers.

Tracy McGrady, a contemporary of Bryant, highlighted Kobe’s unmatched commitment during the offseason, setting him apart from his peers in the NBA.

Kobe didn’t take no vacations like that,

T-Mac told the OldManAndThree podcast.

‘I can’t be on vacation, taking all this time off and relaxing on a beach’… that’s one of the coldest [expletive] that ever played a game and I got to see him.

Kobe Bryant’s Support and Influence on Doncic

Before his tragic passing in 2020, Kobe Bryant shared memorable interactions with Luka Doncic, including playful trash talk in Slovenian during a 2019 game at the Staples Center. Following Doncic’s trade to the Lakers, he reflected warmly on Bryant’s mentorship and influence.

Doncic recalled the significance of Bryant’s recognition of his name and expressed his wish that Bryant and his daughter Gigi could witness his current journey with the Lakers.

First of all, I remember exactly when it happened,

he said.

That moment has stayed with me forever. It was incredible. The fact that Kobe knew my name — it was unbelievable for me at the time. I wish Kobe and Gigi were here to witness this moment. I’m excited about this new challenge and happy to be here.

In March 2022, Doncic shared advice Kobe gave him before his death, cautioning that critics would target him for being European in the NBA.

The one advice he gave me, was like, ‘Watch out, they’re gonna come after you because you’re from Europe. They’re gonna try to go after you.’ And it was true.

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss also emphasized the strong bond between Bryant and Doncic after the latter joined Los Angeles.

That was, like, a very important relationship,

Jeanie Buss said on The Rich Eisen Show in February 2025.

Kobe really took him under his wing and was supportive of him. I think he feels that, even without Kobe present, that there’s that kind of feel with our organization.

The Path Forward: What Doncic’s New Regimen Means for the Lakers

Doncic’s recommitment to a Kobe- and Jordan-like work ethic reflects his desire to silence doubts about his conditioning and become a dominant presence throughout the entire season. With improvements to his fitness routine and nutrition, he aims to maintain energy late in games and contribute both offensively and defensively during deep playoff stretches.

As a franchise cornerstone for the Lakers, Doncic’s dedication to this transformation symbolizes a pivotal chapter in his career and the team’s pursuit of championship contention. His approach also honors the legacy of Bryant and Jordan, whose tireless efforts set a standard for excellence in the NBA.