Magic Johnson challenges Luka Doncic ahead of his next season with the Lakers: "We expect our superstars to lead us to a championship" originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The best thing about being a part of the Los Angeles Lakers is the championship expectations that come with it. The worst? Living up to them. That's a reality Luka Doncic is about to face, with Lakers legend Magic Johnson already challenging the 2024 Western Conference Finals MVP.
"Luka, it's great what you did in Dallas," the five-time champ said on ESPN's Get Up with Mike Greenberg. "But the difference is, in Los Angeles, we expect championships. And we expect our superstars to lead us to a championship. LeBron has already did that. Now we want Luka to do the same thing."
Judging by Magic's tone, it sounded more like a command than a request. The Lakers are used to raising banners whenever a superstar of The Don's caliber puts on the Purple and Gold. That's the Laker standard and exactly why the "spoiled fanbase" label exists.
Slim Luka
Doncic has taken endless heat over his conditioning, with some reports suggesting it was the main reason Nico Harrison ultimately moved on, along with concerns about his defense. But while the criticism isn't baseless, "Fat Luka" still put up 30.2 points, seven rebounds, and 5.8 assists against Minnesota in the first round. If that's what an out-of-shape Doncic looks like, a slimmer version could instantly make L.A. title contenders.
True to his promise, the Slovenian superstar appears to take his conditioning regimen seriously this offseason. He has visibly lost weight, a good sign for fans hoping to see a better 2025-26 campaign from Luka Magic.
"Great job by JJ Redick to put everybody on notice on the Lakers team that they have to be in better conditioning in order to win an NBA championship. I'm glad Luka listened to JJ, and now, look at him. He looks great right now, and the rest of the Lakers have to do the same thing," Johnson stated.
Right after their first-round ouster, Redick emphasized the need for certain players to be in championship shape. That statement by the head coach, with whom Luka has a very close relationship, may have served as the gut check for Doncic. After all, if the Lakers are serious about making a deep run, it starts with their best player setting the tone, and Luka seems to be answering the call.
Beyond Luka's control
Doncic led Dallas to the Finals a year ago, which proves he is no stranger to big-stakes basketball. Although the Mavs lost to the Boston Celtics in five games, "Wonder Boy" knows what it takes to get there. The formula was simple: Put big guys beside him as a lob threat on offense and somebody who could compensate for Luka's miscues on defense.
As Johnson emphasized, the Lakers must not fail Doncic in this regard if they want to hoist the LOB trophy sooner rather than later. No matter how much Luka improves his conditioning, it won't matter without the right pieces alongside him.
"It's gonna take more than just Luka being in shape. Rob Pelinka gotta improve the roster. We need a big man, so hopefully, we'll be able to get a big man during this offseason. I think we must improve the bench as well, and Rob will have a chance to do that as well," added the former Michigan State Spartan.
Besides a big man and a decent bench, Johnson believes the Lakers had to get younger, spryer legs to round out the team. The series against the Wolves exposed these weaknesses. In fact, in Game 1 alone, Minnesota outscored Los Angeles 25-6 on fastbreak points and 43-13 in bench points. This became the central theme of the series, and L.A. never recovered.
The Lakers have their franchise centerpiece, who is evidently working hard to be in the best shape of his career. But even a leaner, sharper Luka can only take them so far without the right roster around him. What Pelinka does next will decide if this is the start of a title run or another missed opportunity.
