“Magic Johnson was already a 2x Finals MVP at 22”: How Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Ja Morant compare to the precocious Lakers legend’s accomplishments

Arjun Julka | 14/09/2021
"Magic Johnson was already a 2x Finals MVP at 22": How Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Ja Morant compare to the precocious Lakers legend's accomplishments

Lakers legend Magic Johnson was the same age as Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Ja Morant when he had already eclipsed the Finals MVP title twice.

Magic Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest point guard ever to grace the NBA hardwood. The league had never witnessed a player with the size of Magic play the point guard position.

To date, the former NCAA champion remains the only player to win both rookie of the year and Finals MVP in the same season.

While talking about the current era’s guards, such as Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Ja Morant, it is hard to say if anyone can surpass Magic. Though Luka and Trae have shown shades of being a superstar, none of them have achieved as much as a 22-year old Magic did.

Also read: “3 GOATs together in the same building!”: When Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson highlighted Tupac’s final NBA game as a spectator

Magic was a generational athlete with incredible basketball IQ and play-making ability. The current crop of guards in the NBA has a great role model in Magic to follow.

Magic Johnson was crowned Finals MVP twice against the Philadelphia 76ers

During his Finals appearance as a rookie, the Lakers point guard averaged 21.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 8.7 APG, and 2.7 SPG on a 57.3% shooting from the field. Magic’s stellar performance in Game 6 is one of the most iconic Finals performances.

At the mere age of 20, Magic took the reigns of the Lakers in his hands due to an ankle injury to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 5. His 40+ point performance in game 6 earned him the Finals MVP award.

Magic won his second Finals MVP title in 1982. The point guard averaged 16.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 8.0 APG, and 2.5 SPG on a 53.3% shooting from the field. Magic had established himself as the best player by the age of 22.

The guards of the current era, Luka, Trae, and Ja, are yet to reach the NBA Finals. Luka and Ja have failed to make it past the first round of the post-season. While these young stars might have great individual stats, the ability to perform at a bigger level is what makes a player an all-time great.

Also read: “Kobe Bryant’s Dad Dunked On Kareem Abdul Jabbar”: When Joe Jellybean Bryant Posterized Lakers Legend During Magic Johnson’s NBA Debut

Post Edited By: Amulya Shekhar
Ja Morant LA Lakers Luka Doncic Magic Johnson Trae Young

About the author

Arjun Julka

Arjun Julka is a NBA author at The SportsRush. Basketball isn’t just a sport for this 26-year-old, who hails from Mumbai. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Now an ardent fan, Arjun supports Stephen Curry and the Warriors but also enjoys watching Giannis Antetokounmpo own the paint. When it comes to the GOAT debate, the TSR author feels LeBron James is yet to receive a lot of his due but cannot deny marveling at Michael Jordan’s resume.

Don’t miss these