[ad_1]
Magic Johnson wipes his eyes to the NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, in Los Angeles. Johnson abruptly quits the Lakers' president of basketball operations Tuesday night, he is a wealthy businessman and beloved player before taking over the franchise just over two years ago. (AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill)
BREAKING: Magic Johnson has stepped down as Lakers' President of Basketball Operations. pic.twitter.com/yrHkguOO02
– NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2019
"I want to go back to having fun," said Johnson before fighting off tears. "We're halfway there with LeBron coming back (last summer). I think this summer, with that other star coming in, whoever is going to bring him in, I think this team is really going to be in contention for a championship with the growth of young players. "
Johnson did not directly follow Luke Walton's decision, but the third-year coach was widely expected to be fired by Johnson. Without using names, Johnson repeatedly mentioned Buss' affinity for Walton, who was in place before Johnson got the job in February 2017, and Johnson's desire to make a good decision.
"(On Wednesday) I would have to affect somebody's livelihood and their life," Johnson said. "And I thought about it and I said, 'That's not fun for me. And then I do not want to put it in the middle of us, even though she said, 'Hey, you can do what you want to do.' I know she has a great love for me. "
Johnson and Buss had a three-hour meeting on Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) about the direction of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers, who did not made the postseason since 2013. Magic did not finalize his decision until Tuesday morning (late Tuesday, PHL time).
"Somebody is going to have to tell my boss, because I know she's going to be sick," Johnson said. "But I knew I could not face her face-to-face and tell her."
Buss did not wait for the Lakers' final season, though Johnson waited by the executive parking area at Staples Center in hopes of seeing her. Buss tweeted her reaction at halftime.
"Earvin, I loved working side by side with you," Buss wrote. "You've got us a long way, we'll continue the journey, we love you."
Earvin, I loved working side by side with you. You've brought us a long way. We will continue the journey. We love you ?? https://t.co/ofmQl6BtBz
& Mdash; Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) April 10, 2019
Clearly blindsided by Johnson's announcement, the Lakers also issued a team statement at halftime.
"There is no greater Los Angeles Laker than Earvin Johnson," he said. "We are deeply grateful to all of us, as ambbadador and an executive." We love him for the past two years as President of Basketball Operations and Desire, (wife) Cookie , (children) Andre, EJ and Elisa all the best with their next steps, Lakers icon, but our family, as we begin the process of moving forward, we will work in a measured and methodical fashion to make the right moves for the future of our organization. "
Lakers Statement on Earvin "Magic" Johnson: https://t.co/lXqb2PS8yv pic.twitter.com/A2e5DFMELs
& Mdash; Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2019
Johnson's desire for his old life was not the only reason for his departure. He also said he is tired of being investigated by the NBA when he comments on basketball on Twitter or even speaks to another organization's player.
Johnson, a longtime broadcaster and respected basketball figure before moving into the front office, how do you go about it? Paul George on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show to him by Ben Simmons .
"I thought about Dwyane Wade retiring (Wednesday), and I can not even tweet that out there," Johnson said. "Serena Williams called me a week ago and said, 'Will you mentor me and be on my advisory board?' And I said, 'Yeah, I'm going to do that.' So when Ben Simmons called and we went to the right channels and they made me look bad, but I did not do anything wrong. to be a mentor to them or to their lives,
Johnson, who will turn 60 in August, has many thriving business interests along with ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles FC.
Lansing, Michigan, who won an NCAA championship at Michigan State before claiming five NBA titles and three leagues MVP awards during his 12-year playing career at the leader of the Showtime Lakers.
Johnson retired in 1991 after testing positive for HIV, but later returned to the Lakers as a player and a coach. Johnson says it's ideal, and he's insisting that it's part of his decision to make the job seem to be his ultimate destiny.
Johnson was hired along with Pelinka when Buss dismissed his brother, Jim, and GM Mitch Kupchak just 26 months ago. The Buss child's father, Jerry, had long envisioned Johnson in a powerful role in the Lakers' front office, and Jeanie put in charge of shaking up his storied franchise in the midst of its lengthy decline.
Immediately after taking on the job, Johnson stated his plan to land at least two free-agent superstars to return the Lakers to immediate title contention. This plan ranks the world in the face of the Lakers' interest in George, which led to an investigation that eventually resulted in the Lakers having a $ 500,000 fine for Pelinka making contact with George's agent.
Johnson made several personal goals, notably trading guard From Angelo Russell to Brooklyn, largely to rid the Lakers of Timothy Mozgov's onerous contract in 2017.
Johnson also criticized Russell for his maturity and playing style on the door, but Russell has blossomed into an All-Star leader for the playoff-bound Nets. Some of Johnson's other moves have been made much better, including the Lakers' drafting of Lonzo Ball, the acquisition of Kyle Kuzma and the bargain signing of JaVale McGee.
And though James was in charge of his decision to join the Lakers last summer, LeBron credited with a four-year contract.
But after James was stranded at the end of the 16-year NBA career, the Lakers were unable to compile enough midseason wins to stay in playoff contention. The Lakers slumped before the trade when Johnson aggressively pursued disgruntled New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis in a trade that would have required the Lakers to give up much of their talented young core.
James was shut down for the season late last month, and watched the Lakers' final season in street clothes on the bench.
The Lakers have missed the postseason in their three springs since Johnson and Pelinka took over, and Kawhi Leonard and the likes of Kawhi Leonard Kevin Durant should be in play – or next, when Davis should be available.
The Lakers are finishing this season with their best record in six years, but they were eliminated from playoff contention on March 22. They had never missed the playoffs in this book.
Johnson is a very popular supporter of Walton, but it is also known to be one of those who do not know who they are. Johnson's decision to step down the way for the Lakers will make a decision on Walton's future.
Johnson and Pelinka, Kobe Bryant's former trainer, did so by Buss, but Johnson said he worked well with Pelinka. Also, Pelinka should remain as the general manager, saying the decision remains with Buss, whom he often called "my sister."
"She does not know I'm standing here," Johnson said. "Because I knew I would be crying like a baby in front of her."
[ad_2]
Source link
