“They’d come out there and destroy you, win games, but with a big smile” – Tyson Chandler calls Luka Doncic modern-day Magic Johnson originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Luka Doncic always performs at his best when the lights are brightest. Even when he was criticized for being out of shape, he was still among the best players in the Association.
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But according to Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Tyson Chandler, Doncic doesn’t just deliver in big games. He also stands out in practices.
“Luka was one of the best players I’ve ever seen on the court and in practice. Of course, we all see what Luka does in the game, but I’m speaking about practice, because it’s very difficult to impress your peers. Luka does things that I’ve never seen before. That’s difficult. I’ve been around the game for a long time, and there are very few special players that will show you some things that you’ve never seen before. And Luka was one of those players,” said Chandler.
Tyson sees Magic in Luka
Chandler had the privilege of watching Doncic up close and personal in Dallas. After helping the Mavericks win the 2011 NBA title, the 2012 NBA Defensive Player of the Year was among the ex-players hired by the franchise under the “Mavs Legends” coaching program initiated by former majority owner Mark Cuban.
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And although his work as player development coach focused more on big men like Dwight Powell, Kristaps Porzingis and later Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, Chandler was in the same gym with Doncic. He saw how hard he worked on a daily basis in practice and said the Slovenian reminded him of Magic Johnson.
“I would always call him Luka Magic because he reminded me of a European version of Magic Johnson. This new age, Luka is his own player, but Magic was the older generation of somebody with a smile that was the killer. They’d come out there and destroy you, win games, but with a big smile. He’s just such a joy to watch, and I love watching him. Nothing but great things to say about Luka,” Chandler added.
Mark Cuban also compared Luka to Magic
Not surprisingly, Cuban, who masterminded the draft day trade that brought the Slovenian phenom to the Mavericks, also compared Doncic to Johnson. But aside from his uncanny passing skills and willingness to take the big shots, which reminded him of the Showtime Lakers’ point guard, he also likened Luka’s aura to Magic.
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“Millennials just have a different mind about them and different interests. On social media, he lights people up. He lights kids up. Wherever we’re playing, he’s spending time talking to kids, bringing kids onto the court,” Cuban said. “His game’s most like Magic Johnson’s, but his personality, I think, is almost bigger than Magic Johnson’s.”
Interestingly, fate has brought Luka to Magic’s former NBA city, and Doncic now gets to play Johnson’s role for his team. The Slovenian recently signed a three-year extension with the Lakers and is expected to double down with a $400 million-plus deal when he becomes eligible in 2028.
The organization can only hope he will lead them to multiple championships like Johnson did during the 80s. After all, that’s what made the latter legendary.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.