Luka Dončić has taken the NBA world by storm and has taken his role as the Los Angeles Lakers' best player in stride this season. 

When the sport was shaken up by the blockbuster trade that sent Dončić to Los Angeles last season, it could have only meant good things for the purple and gold. Dončić's elite scoring and playmaking, paired with Lebron James, is all but a guaranteed recipe for success, and there were already glimpses of what that pairing could be at the tail-end of last season. 

But now, Dončić looks fully realized. An offseason of dedication to his mind, body, and game, a transformation shown in detail by his Men's Health cover story, has led the Slovenian star to early MVP consideration for the meteoric start he's had to the season.

A Dominant Start and Deadly Combination

He's scored 40+ points in each of the first three games he appeared, turning in double-digit rebounding totals each time as well. Being in Los Angeles has reinvigorated his spirit, and now he's prepared to show the world exactly what he's capable of on this new stage. 

Dončić turned in another stellar performance during the Lakers' 130-120 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday night with his first triple-double of the season, dropping a team-leading 29 points with 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Dončić's assist totals represent a step-up in his playmaking abilities as he fed fellow guard Austin Reeves, another Los Angeles standout.

His performance also set a new Lakers record for most points in the first four games of the season with 164 points.

The pairing of the two Laker guards shows another way that Dončić elevates his teammates when on the court and should continue to help the Lakers soar to new heights. 

Hitting a New Gear in Los Angeles

Since his Rookie of the Year winning campaign in the 2018-19 season, Dončić has been one of the best players at his position and in the league at large. But now, something seems different with him as he lights up Crypto.com Arena night after night. 

While a down year for Dončić would be a career year for countless other players in the league, he has still missed the All-Star game for the first time since his rookie season last year and experienced his lowest-scoring season since his rookie campaign as well, at 28.2 points per game. 

Now, settling in with Los Angeles for his first full season as a Laker, Dončić has appeared unstoppable on the court. He's shooting at his most efficient rate by far, with a 58.4% margin from the field, and is attempting more three-pointers than ever before. While always a strong rebounder, he's stepped that up a notch as well as a reliable option for double-digit boards every night.

Dončić is primed to be the Lakers' newest franchise player in a storied history and lead his new team to a championship and quiet any doubters that he had during his time with the Dallas Mavericks. 

La La Land has become Luka Land, and could be for years to come.