The Los Angeles Lakers have a long history of winning, featuring multiple dominant runs by some of the best players the sport has ever seen. But with the future of LeBron James now in question, the Lakers have Luka Doncic as their newest star, a player they believe will lead them to championship success.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN LA, Hall of Fame forward and five-time Lakers champion James Worthy compared Doncic to Magic Johnson, one of the most successful and memorable players in franchise history.
“The one thing Magic and Luka have in common is that they can take a snapshot. Both of them are really good rebounders. They get that rebound and take a quick shot of the whole floor going down,” Worthy said. “And then their ability to calculate their steps and know where you are going to be.”
Both Doncic and Johnson are tall players who initiate a team’s offense with top-tier passing and rebounding ability. While Doncic’s playmaking might not rival that of Johnson, his scoring through the first seven years of his career has been historic.
The two slightly differ in play style, but as Worthy mentioned, their ability to play the point guard position separates them from the rest of the pack.
Worthy On Luka Doncic And LeBron James
Along with the Johnson comparison, Worthy gave high praise to Doncic as he enters his first full season with the Lakers. The five-time champion discussed how, after the trade and settling in to living in Los Angeles, their new franchise superstar is ‘on a mission’ in the upcoming season.
“And then Luka, at 27,” Worthy said. “He is serious. I think he’s gotten by the Dallas stuff, but he’s always going to have that in the back of his mind. He’s on a mission…He did well in Dallas, but he’s ready, in a city that demands that he win.”
Doncic is one of the most prolific offensive players in NBA history, let alone recent memory. His career 28.6 points per game is the third most all-time, and he is one of only ten players to score 70 points in a game. Doncic led the Mavericks to the Finals in 2024, and now on the Lakers, he expects to take that next step to becoming a champion.
Worthy also gave compliments to James and his play alongside Doncic in their first half-season together.
“I was really impressed that they were able to get to third in the West last year with a half-season of Luka and LeBron,” Worthy said. “I give LeBron a lot of credit. Say what you want about his career and all of that, but his ability to recognize what’s before him…he knows how to create that chemistry.”
Doncic is under contract for the next few seasons, and James is set for free agency after this year. Worthy liked what he saw from the two, but this could be the last season they play together.
The Lakers sit behind teams like the Thunder, Nuggets, and Rockets as top contenders in the West.
High Hopes For The Other Lakers’ Additions
While Doncic and James have been the leading storyline for the Lakers over the past few months, the team made multiple offseason additions in hopes of strengthening their defense and paint presence. When discussing the team signing Marcus Smart, Worthy offered another comparison.
“I remember when Phil Jackson brought Ron Harper here,” Worthy said. “Ron could still play, but more importantly, he was really good in the locker room. Now you bring in Marcus Smart, who can still play defense, [is] savvy.”
Smart won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021-22. While he hasn’t matched the same defensive output over recent seasons, he remains one of the biggest pests against the league’s top perimeter players.
Similarly, Harper was known for his defense while winning three titles with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the Chicago Bulls. He then joined the Lakers and helped Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal win championships in 2000 and 2001.
When asked about Deandre Ayton, who arrives in Los Angeles as their new starting center, Worthy shared his high hopes for the former first overall pick.
“It’s time for him to step up, and I think he knows that,” Worthy said about Ayton. “I like Ayton, don’t get me wrong… He’s gotta be a hunter. I would love it if Kobe were beside him as a teammate.”
Ayton agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers before making the move to the Lakers. He had some strong years early in his career in Phoenix, but he will be one of the keys for Los Angeles to have a deeper run in the playoffs. Playing with Doncic, James, and Austin Reaves, Ayton will take on a big responsibility on defense.
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