NBA: LeBron was knocked out by Magic leaving the Lakers

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 team's season finale against Portland – on HBO's "The Shop" show, aired late Saturday night. James said that he had received the news of his long-time friend, Randy Mims, while he was trying to play, but he did not believe it until that day. he checks his phone.

"Dude, get me out of my face … Bulls —" James said of his initial reaction.

"Personally for me," James added in the show, "I came here to be part of the Lakers organization that was chatting with Magic, so it was strange for him to say to himself," No, I get out of here & # 39; And not even like "Hey," Bron, kiss my a–, I'm out of here. & # 39; I would have agreed with that. "

James met Johnson at his home on July 1, a few minutes after the start of the free agent negotiation 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 was like it's crazy …," Ball said.

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