Magic Johnson's sudden resignation shocked the entire basketball world, as the Hall of Famer vacated his post as the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations without having consulted with owner Jeanie Buss beforehand.

His admission of it sounded shocking, but the Showtime legend explained he took this measure in hopes he wouldn't have Buss talk him out of that decision:

“Somebody is going to have to tell my boss, because I know she’s going to be sick,” Johnson admitted to reporters, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. “But I know I couldn’t face her face to face and tell her, even though I was just with her yesterday and we had a three-hour meeting about the direction of this great organization. So today, Rachel, I’m free my love.”

Johnson was talking to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, who later followed up with Johnson during a one-on-one near the Staples Center loading dock:

“So you told us first because you didn’t want her to talk you out of it?” Nichols asked Johnson.

“Exactly,” he replied.

Johnson knew if all the damage was done, there was no taking it back, and he had to punch the hole in the wall before Buss could ask him to cock back the punch.

It's understandable to a degree, considering the tight-knit nature of their relationship and how hard it is to say no to family. Yet Johnson's actions were typical of his persona — swift, improvised, and eye-popping like his countless fast-break dimes were during his heyday in the '80s.