Tell us honestly, does the name Earvin Johnson bring up the complete picture of the prolific player that he was on the court? Probably not. How can someone imagine him without his nickname ‘Magic’? That seems befitting for his dazzling ball skills and unbelievable passing range that mesmerized America in the 1980s. Interestingly, it was a sports journalist who coined the term much before he set his foot in the NBA landscape.

Back in 1975, Fred Stabley Jr., a sportswriter for the Lansing State Journal, went to cover a 15-year-old Johnson’s second game at Everett High School. And he saw Johnson creating Magic. “I always tell people he had 36 points, 20 rebounds, 15 assists and 10 steals. It was the most amazing performance I had ever seen by anybody, and it was the second game of his high school career.” After the game, Stabley asked him a question that would eventually change the definition of the future three-time MVP’s life.

“‘Earvin, we have got to call you something. How about Magic?’” Stabley Jr. said to Johnson. “Within two months, everyone in Michigan knew who Magic was.” Johnson initially laughed off the idea. Even his mother, Christine, disliked the name because of the weight of expectation that comes with it. But the nation loved it, and the rest is history. Indeed, with Johnson, Stabley is also a part of that history. Jump cut to 2025.

Here we have Luka Doncic, who has got the hashtag “#lukamagic” on X. And time and again, whenever he has made those pretty step-back 3s from his left or an insane off-balance basket, the commentary box has called out, “Luka magic!” No, no one is saying that he is going to earn the next ‘Magic’, but looks like during the Lakers’ latest game against the Knicks, TNT commentator and WNBA legend Candace Parker was trying to pull off a nickname for Luka’s heroics. However, it made news for all the wrong reasons, as the spectators vehemently rejected it, at least until now. What happened?

Candace Parker is currently serving as one of the co-hosts of TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’. For the Lakers-Knicks game, she was called in to commentate during a major portion of the first half. Luka started the game hot, opening the scoring for the Lakers with a 3. Close to 4 minutes into the first quarter, he secured a steal and immediately drilled his signature 3-pointer from his left- his second of the game. And Parker threw a name on Luka to call that: “This is Luka the Don that we have known and loved over time,” she commented. That “Luka the Don” did not stop there.

3.58 remaining in the first quarter, Luka cleverly made Knicks’ OG Anunoby foul, earning two free throws. The 3x WNBA Champion immediately dropped in her praise, “When you are playing one of the best players in the world and Luka the Don, even great defense, has better offense.” Well, we can not deny that since his debut with the Lakers, we have seen Luka going aggressive several times. Be it letting out loud screams after tough baskets, cursing the referee in his mother tongue, or trash talking- the otherwise soft-spoken Slovenian has been intense on the court.

Remember how he shouted at the Mavs’ bench after draining a 3? Or, say the Lakers’ rematch against the Clippers. James Harden was guarding Luka hard. But Luka managed to avoid him and scored an almost impossible basket, off-balance. And after that, he immediately shouted out at Harden, “You can’t F***ing guard me!” Scan through X, and you will find Lakers fans flooding the platform praising Luka for the aggressions. Even Austin Reaves and JJ Redick called Luka a “killer.” But Don? No, the fans were not in for that. So Parker’s creativity did not help when she kept repeating ‘Luka the Don’ again and again. Lakers fans came out in heavy numbers on social media to call her out.

Candace Parker strikes the wrong chord with the fans

One social media user highlighted what many might have been thinking by writing, “Hearing Candace Parker say “Luka The Don” makes me cringe every time I hear it. (emojis) #NbaonTNT”. Yikes!

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To be fair, ‘Luka The Don’ has the potential to become a catchy nickname, like Kevin Durant’s ‘Slim Reaper’. Interestingly, Durant was initially not quite OK with the name, but somehow that resonated with the NBA world. Durant’s lean build and killer mindset on the court might have seemed perfect for him, called by that. So is Luka’s aggression and dominance on the court enough to call him the Don?

Laker Nation does not agree. One individual wrote “Does Candace Parker ever shut the f**k up?? “Luka the Don” ok we got it, that s**t is not sticking. Nobody is calling him that… now get on with it”. The combination of ‘Luka The Don’ and Parker’s long commentary may have ensured that the 38-year-old does not have a future in calling out games.

One social media user said, “jesus christ Candace Parker is not good at this play by play stuff”. Well, if history is any indication, then you can be a good basketball player but not necessarily a good game commentator. Sure, the trio of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith have found success in television broadcasting. However, they worked on their on-screen skills for years, and won over the NBA community with their charisma, poking fun at each other, and utilizing the occasional pranks. But looks like Parker has some distance to travel to reach close to that aura.

One individual wrote, “Candace Parker has called Luka “The Don” maybe 25 times during the 1st quarter”. While no one is accusing Candace Parker of being a fan-girl, she is certainly giving off vibes that indicate the same. Or maybe she has realized how important Luka Doncic is to the Lakers and is emphasizing on that fact. After all, with Luka averaging 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists with the LA franchise, and significantly taking the pressure off LeBron James and the other scorers.

One social media user wrote, “Gotta be a counter on how many times Candace Parker has said “Luka The Don”. Over 20 for sureee”. Candace Parker would have surely come across these comments. It will be interesting to see whether she continues with that moniker in her future appearances in the Lakers game. Tell us in the comments what is your take on the name.