You have to listen to this story about Wilt and how Magic used to always stack his team when he put together games. Wilt and four UCLA freshman against Magic, Worthy, Bernard King, Byron Scott, and AC Green.

If Lakers can repeat 11-1 for these last 12 games, JJ will win COY.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the world and he makes everyone around him better. Sounds like an MVP.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is on pace to win the 2025-26 NBA scoring title. He’s the only player in the NBA averaging at least 30.0 points and 8.0 assists per game. His average of 33.5 points per game would be the highest by a player other than himself since 2019-20.

For as compelling as all of those facts may be, Doncic doesn’t seem to be getting all that much respect in MVP conversations. His head coach seems to have a problem with that narrative.

Doncic has been spectacular in 2025-26, leading the Lakers to a 45-25 record and a current hold on the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Along the way, he’s amassed averages of 33.4 points, 8.4 assists, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 4.0 three-point field goals made per game on .477/.370/.772 shooting.

According to Law Murray of The Athletic, Lakers head coach JJ Redick contextualized Doncic’s great numbers with a key point about his case for MVP: He elevates everyone around him.

“He’s really elevated his play at a really important time for our team. He’s elevated the play of his teammates. I think there’s a trust level that we all have, coaches, teammates, with him closing games for us. He’s been fantastic, and I think he’s one of the best and should be in the MVP conversation. Hopefully, people will start talking about that because he’s having as good a season as anyone.”

Though there an abundance of valid MVP candidates, Doncic’s ability to dominate individually and elevate everyone around him makes him a compelling option for the award.

JJ Redick’s case for Luka as MVP: He elevates everyone around him

Doncic’s impact on winning is unavoidable. The Lakers outscore opponents by 3.4 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court and are being outscored by 2.0 when he isn’t. The former may not be the most awe-inspiring number, but it speaks to how he’s often the difference between winning and losing.

That’s further established by the fact that the three-man lineup of Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves produces a net rating of +5.8, but James and Reaves are at -1.1 without Doncic on the court.

Furthermore, Doncic has made the game easier and more efficient for just about everyone around him. James, for instance, experiences an increase in true shooting percentage of 6.3 percent when Doncic is on the court compared to when he isn’t.

Marcus Smart makes an even bigger jump of 8.5 percent, while Deandre Ayton’s increases by 4.9, and Luke Kennard’s goes up by 3.5 percent.

Luka makes the game easier for teammates, galvanizes Lakers in key moments

Beyond the numbers, there’s a certain confidence the Lakers play with when he’s on his game that just isn’t there on the rare night that he’s struggling. Bringing the numbers back in, that statement is supported by the fact that they’re 29-10 when he scores at least 30 points and 10-9 when he plays but fails to.

That includes a 3-5 record when Doncic fails to score at least 25 points, thus revealing how small the margin for error truly is for him on a nightly basis.

Other candidates have compelling cases of their own, but for as talented as the Lakers’ star trio is, they still go as far as Doncic takes them. That’s further illustrated by the fact that Los Angeles is 18-4 when Doncic has at least 10 assists and 21-15 when he plays but fails to—a drop in winning percentage from .818 to .583.

Whether or not he ultimately wins MVP, the case for Doncic is simple: In addition being the NBA’s scoring leader, he’s the epitome of valuable to a team that goes as far as he enables them to.

SHADES OF 2019-20 SEASON! #18 COMING UP!

I work hard not to allow my sports teams bad things affect whether I’m happy or not or in a good mood or not but my wife will testify that life is demonstably sweeter when the Lakers win. Aside from being our 60th year together, March has been a very sweet month. Life is better when the Lakers are winning.

Jamal Mosley didn’t just compliment Luka — he basically rang the MVP bell for the whole league to hear. When an opposing coach, in a pregame interview, goes out of his way to say Luka is having an “MVP‑type year” and should be the frontrunner, that’s not casual praise. That’s respect. That’s recognition. That’s the tide turning in real time.

And honestly, how could it not? Luka has been playing with a level of control, poise, and brilliance that feels inevitable. Night after night, he’s dictating the entire flow of the game — scoring when he wants, creating for everyone, and lifting the Lakers into a different tier. You can feel the shift. You can see opponents adjusting their whole game plan around him.

When coaches around the league start speaking like this, it means the narrative is no longer just “Luka is great.” It’s becoming “Luka is the one this season.”

The 2026 MVP race isn’t just heating up — it’s starting to tilt. And right now, all signs are pointing toward Luka Doncic wearing that crown.

HOW OTHER TEAMS ARE REACTING TO LAKERS:

SURPRISE -> AWE -> FEAR.

HERE’S HOPING THE LEAGUE RESCINDS LUKA’S TECH.
NO REASON TO GIVE OUT MEANINGLESS TECH IN THIS CASE.
NOTHING PHYSICAL GOING ON. BAD MOVE BY REF.

LUKE KENNARD HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE LAKERS 🚨LOS ANGELES HAS WON 9 GAMES IN A ROW! pic.twitter.com/1kZR6dsqQk— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2026