Lakers legend lauds Luka: Magic’s words of praise for Doncic

One of the biggest storylines of this NBA offseason has been Luka Doncic’s dramatic physical transformation as he gears up for his first full campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Long criticized for his conditioning, the Slovenian point guard took a radically different approach to his summer prep - and the results are turning heads.

Doncic recently graced the cover of Men’s Health, where he opened up about the intense work he’s put in. According to the feature, he stepped away from basketball for an entire month to focus solely on his fitness. The break paid off: he shed a significant amount of weight, revamped his diet, and now appears to be in the best shape of his career.

“Showing his teammates how serious he is”

Even Lakers legend Magic Johnson - who had previously called out Doncic, saying he needed to realize that expectations at the Lakers far outstrip the demands he encountered at the Mavericks - has praised the All-Star’s commitment and progress.

Writing on the social-media platform X, Johnson said: “I love how Luka is showing his Laker teammates how serious he is about winning a championship in Los Angeles by transforming his body!”

Doncic takes Redick message to heart

Following the Lakers’ first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach J.J. Redick made it clear: if this team wants to contend for a title in 2026, the offseason has to be taken seriously. Doncic, now the face of the franchise, clearly got the message. His transformation sends a powerful signal to the rest of the locker room: he’s all in.

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