Video: Lakers’ LeBron James reacts to Magic Johnson stepping down
Magic Johnson shocked everybody by announcing his resignation as Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations on Tuesday night. LeBron James certainly didn’t see it coming after meeting with Magic over the weekend, and while he didn’t give any official statement to reporters, he acknowledged just how “crazy” this surprising news was while talking to somebody on the phone as he walked through the Staples Center hallways:
LeBron James didn’t address the media and had his security try to stop reporters who came near him. LeBron on the phone: “Crazy, crazy, crazy.” Yep. pic.twitter.com/PObznj26Rd
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 10, 2019
Playing for Magic with the Lakers was a significant draw for LeBron, but now the veteran superstar and the organization have to regroup after this bombshell. Head coach Luke Walton might be the next to go, and it also wouldn’t be a surprise if general manager Rob Pelinka is out the door.
LeBron committed to the Lakers for the rest of his high-level playing days, so he’s going to have to put his trust in whoever is hired to replace Magic. The 34-year-old has expressed confidence about the franchise’s chances of making major improvements this summer, and it will be interesting to see what kind of effect this turnover will have on what happens.
Los Angeles just finished up a disastrous 37-45 campaign (LeBron and his teammates seemed happy it’s over), which featured a slew of injuries, a failed Anthony Davis trade, a failure to qualify for the postseason and now this Magic Johnson debacle. This is the sixth straight season in which the Lakers didn’t make the playoffs, and owner Jeanie Buss has to pick up the pieces and try to get this organization back on track.
