Dallas Mavericks’ Owner Compares Luka Doncic to Lakers Legend Magic Johnson

Luka Doncic is one of the best young players right now in the NBA. In the two years that he has been in the league, he has transformed the Mavs into one of the strongest sides in the West.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recently appeared on Dangertalk with Russel Wilson. When asked about who he would compare Luka to, Cuban said, “Probably Magic Johnson. Can pass the ball, can see over the top, and get where he wants on the court. Knows how to pass to a guy on time and on target. Loves to play on the crunch time. Will take on the responsibility of anybody anytime. Is a great teammate.”

Cuban added, “Magic would light things up, with a smile. Luka is the same way. He’s got the charisma that Magic has… He’s just on social media, he’s lighting people up, he’s lighting kids up. Whoever we’re playing he’s spending time talking to kids, bringing kids on the floor. He’s got that charisma and he’s going to set his own path.”

Being compared to Magic Johnson is no mean feat. Cuban even went on and said, “His game is most like Magic Johnson, but his personality is almost even bigger than Magic Johnson.”

Is Luka Doncic an MVP candidate for the 2020-21 season?

Doncic is arguably the best young player in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 28.8 points, 8.8 assists, and 9.4 rebounds per game. That stat line would have been enough to win an MVP award five years ago.

Luka might only be 21-years old but has been playing elite level basketball for six years now. He started as a 16-year-old with Real Madrid and was even named the EuroLeague MVP for the year 2018 and was the youngest to do so.

At the start of the 2020-21 season, the Mavs will be without their other star, Kristaps Porzingis. The absence of Porzingis might be an enormous blow for them, but they will be confident that Doncic can save the day.

In the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Slovenian averaged 31 points, 8.7 assists, and 9.8 rebounds in six games. Without Porzingis, Luka carried the Mavs to two victories in the series.

In a busy off-season, the Mavs have become stronger and the addition of Josh Richardson will be helpful for Doncic, especially in the defense. Doncic is already a great playmaker and a scorer. With the way his output has increased in these two years, it is scary to imagine what Luka might average this season.

Considering how incredible his numbers were last season, other teams should be wary of the Slovenian. Luka Doncic is surely an MVP candidate for the next season.