Luka Doncic wasted no time making an impact with the Los Angeles Lakers. Since joining from the Dallas Mavericks, he has proven to be a crucial part of the team’s success. Lakers legend Magic Johnson believes Doncic’s role will be even more vital in the years ahead, especially as the franchise prepares for life after LeBron James.
Speaking on Byron Scott’s Fast Break, Johnson emphasized the importance of Doncic’s presence.
“It’s great to have someone ready to take over when LeBron eventually retires. Luka ensures the Lakers won’t have to search for their next superstar,” Johnson said.
The Lakers have faced similar transitions before—after Johnson stepped away, the team took years to find Kobe Bryant as a new leader, and the gap between Kobe’s retirement and LeBron’s arrival was equally challenging. With Doncic already in place, the transition into the next era should be much smoother.
Doncic’s on-court chemistry with James has been a major factor in the Lakers’ success. Johnson noted how their playmaking ability elevates the entire team:
“Opponents have to worry about two great passers who make everyone better. That’s a dangerous combination.”
Learning from Lakers History to Face Future Challenges
Reflecting on his own time with the Lakers, Johnson shared insights from the Showtime era. He described how he and his teammates studied opponents’ weaknesses and exploited them, a strategy today’s Lakers will need in the playoffs.
“We used to have meetings where we’d break teams down and attack where they were weakest. That’s what the Lakers will have to do come playoff time,” he explained.
One key challenge is defensive matchups. Johnson pointed out that in a recent loss to the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown repeatedly attacked Doncic and Austin Reaves. “They saw a weakness and went after it every play. That’s something the Lakers need to address,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Doncic continues to make history. In a recent game against the Denver Nuggets, he scored 21 points in the first quarter alone, becoming the youngest Lakers point guard to drop 20+ points in a single quarter. His elite playmaking has drawn comparisons to Johnson himself, with NBA Hall of Famer James Worthy stating,
“I haven’t seen anyone control the game like this since Magic.”
With Doncic leading the way, the Lakers are positioning themselves for long-term success. As they prepare for their next game against the Milwaukee Bucks, fans can look forward to watching the Slovenian star continue to dominate in purple and gold.
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