Magic Johnson's reign as President of Basketball Operations of the Los Angeles Lakers has been anything but smooth throughout his first full season at the controls, according to ESPN's Dan LeBatard. The popular TV personality of Highly Questionable and longtime radio sports crooner said Johnson was running his “empire” just the way former Lakers boss Phil Jackson ran his with the New York Knicks.
“I have been told by multiple sources that Magic Johnson is doing that job the way that I thought Magic Johnson was going to do that job. Sort of whisking in and out of the office. ‘Yeah fire everyone. Trade everyone. You’re doing a bad job. I’m going to run my movie empire.’ Is he still doing that? The details, the specifics of the doing of that job,” said LeBatard during Tuesday's show. “Magic Johnson has been given all of the power and isn’t doing any of the work that usually gets done. He’s doing the job the way Phil Jackson did the job. He’s pretty mad at (Rob) Pelinka from what I’ve heard.”
LeBatard has been a known critic of Johnson getting the position since the moment the announcement became official, and it comes as no surprise that he'd reload after the midseason to fire once again.
The Lakers have had their share of issues muzzling Lonzo Ball's outspoken father LaVar, as well as looking for ways to shop some of their assets prior to the NBA trade deadline.
Pelinka was recommended by Johnson for the job, but as any big-time job, it wouldn't be surprising if the general manager takes the fall before the president of basketball operations does — likely making him a perfect scapegoat should the ship sink when it mattered most.
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