Miami Heat president Pat Riley wasn't surprised one bit by Magic Johnson's comments about the Los Angeles Lakers and general manager Rob Pelinka on Monday.
Riley and Johnson, of course, have a very close relationship. The duo won five titles together with the Lakers.
Johnson went on ESPN's First Take on Monday and said Pelinka was backstabbing him. Riley says Johnson has always been one to speak his mind.
“Surprised by his comments? No, not at all,” Riley told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN. “I'll tell you about Earvin — and it's what I love about him, but also what I have cautioned him about — he's going to speak his mind. If that's how he felt, that's how he felt.
“He's not going to leave a hanging curveball out there about backstabbing and whispering. He manned up today. That's who ‘Buck' is. He would never tolerate that. He never has tolerated that.”
Johnson stepped down from his president role with the Lakers near the end of the season in a shocking move. Owner Jeanie Buss, Pelinka and star small forward LeBron James didn't see the move coming.
The Lakers have been a walking disaster for years. The franchise hasn't made the postseason since 2013. Fans in LA were hoping Magic and James could bring the team back to prominence.
Now, the fans will have to put their faith in James, Pelinka and new head coach Frank Vogel to turn the Lakers into a winner again.
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