[ad_1]
Like the rest of the world of basketball, LeBron James was stunned when Magic Johnson stepped down as president of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball operations last month.
James announced the news of Johnson's decision – announced on April 9, shortly before the season finale against Portland – on his HBO show, "The Shop", airing late Saturday night. James said he had heard from his long-time friend, Randy Mims, while he was stretching for the match, and he did not believe it before checking his phone.
"Dude, release the f-k from my face. You think, said James about his initial reaction.
"Personally for me," James added in the show, "I came here to be part of the Lakers' organization having a conversation with Magic. So it was odd for him to say, "No, I'm not here." And not even like, "Hey, Bron, kiss my ass, I'm gone."
James met Johnson at his home on July 1, a few minutes after the start of the free agent bargaining period. Shortly after, he made a commitment to join the Lakers.
ESPN announced that James and his agent, Rich Paul, had met with Johnson and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka a few days before his resignation, but James had given no indication of the impending resignation.
The Lakers goalkeeper, Lonzo Ball, said that he had heard the news through James' intermediary, who had gone into the locker room to inform his teammates after discovering him.
"I thought," It's really crazy, "Ball said.
[ad_2]
Source link