Can Luka Doncic be the next Magic Johnson of the NBA? The Dallas Mavericks star has time and again attracted a comparison with the ex-LA Lakers legend. And this time it’s Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams, who has drawn parallels between the two players.

He stated how all that can be done against Luka is run different defenses against him and just hope that he messes up. “So I just think he’s a unique player in that regard. He reminds me of Magic in that way. Those guys are big and had great vision, played at their own pace, understood everybody around them,” Williams said.

This comes after Luka’s impeccable record this season. The 25-year-old has the highest points (2370) and highest points per game (33.9) this season. And though his chances are thin as compared to Nikola Jokic, he is still the contender for the MVP title this season. This explains why, despite saying that he is not into making comparisons, coach Williams could not help himself from comparing Luka to Magic.

And this has been the case with several other members of the NBA community as well. In fact, ex-Minnesota Timberwolves star Sam Mitchell had compared Luka Doncic to both Magic and Larry Bird. “They may give him the title of point guard but that’s not a point guard in that body. That is a power forward. Luka is built more like Karl Malone, plays like Magic [Johnson], but has the touch and finesse of Larry Bird…” he stated, as per SiriusXM NBA Radio.

Apart from this, Mark Cuban, Tyson Chandler, and Jason Kidd are some of the many other names who have drawn parallels between the two players.

A closer look into the repeated comparison between Magic Johnson and Luka Doncic

While the ex-Lakers legend played 17 seasons, Doncic is right now just in his sixth season. So, it is a long way for the Mavericks star before an actual comparison comes into place. However, comparing the first five seasons of both players, Luka has an edge over Magic in terms of points per game.

While Magic averaged 18.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game in his first 5 seasons, Luka averaged 28.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. However, it is important to highlight that the modern-day NBA rules favor offensive gameplay much more than Johnson’s time. From the ban on hand-checking to more open lanes, the game has changed a lot in favor of offensive gameplay.

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The similarity between the two players can be witnessed in their rebounds and assists per game, reflecting the well-rounded abilities of both the players. In fact, Johnson was himself left impressed by the Mavericks star after his performance in a match against Atlanta Hawks. “What’s going on in the NBA?! The league is on fire with another dominant performance. This time, Luke Doncic! 73 points, wow! 🤯Congrats to Luka on his amazing 73 point, 10 rebound game tonight, leading his Mavericks to a 148-143 win against the Hawks,” he had posted on X.

What is your take on this? Do you think Luka Doncic is the next Magic Johnson of the NBA?