Magic Johnson Articles - Page 23

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban believes Earvin “Magic” Johnson cannot afford to buy the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Mavs leader expressed his thoughts on the situation. While Cuban has expressed admiration for Lakers controlling owner and governor Jeannie Buss, he told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on June 5 he is disappointed in Johnson after the […]

LaVar Ball has always envisioned his three sons playing together with the Los Angeles Lakers. His plans were off to a good start when the purple and gold drafted Lonzo Ball back in 2017. However, when LiAngelo Ball declared for the NBA Draft last year, the Lakers invited him for workouts but never selected him, […]

Now that Magic Johnson is free from the constraints of the Los Angeles Lakers president job, he has been free to tweet to his heart’s desire about the playoffs. Magic was at it again after Game 1 of the NBA Finals, praising the Toronto Raptors for their terrific team effort in a 118-109 victory over […]

The 2019 NBA Finals start on Thursday in Toronto, but before we get into that, here is a look at some “under the radar” Finals stats and facts, that I’m sure some of you never knew. Hopefully, players participating this year will break few. Player-related records: 1: Only one, from a total of 68 performances […]

Former Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson has come under a recent wave of criticism after ESPN’s Baxter Holmes expose on the “Lakers 2.0” culture revealed it as amongst the most repressive in recent history. Holmes went on ESPN’s Zach Lowe’s podcast, The Lowe Post, telling his colleague that front-office employees felt “powerless” working […]

Magic Johnson, the former President of Basketball Operations of the Los Angeles Lakers has made several appearances on ESPN shows to explain why he resigned from his post. He said one of the reasons was the fact that people were calling him out for his lack of commitment with his job. Magic was a guest […]

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss seems to have agreed on a report where it was mentioned that Magic Johnson would decide to fire Luke Walton and Rob Pelinka if he gets another chance to run the Lakers. What’s going on here 🤔 pic.twitter.com/AnZvrxJSMu — ³DMO⭐️ (@1D1MO) May 29, 2019 Johnson recently appeared on SportsCenter […]

Magic Johnson’s brief stint as President of Basketball Operations of the Los Angeles Lakers was marred with controversy, and if he does have one regret about his tenure, it’s not hiring his own people. In an appearance on SportsCenter on Tuesday, Johnson opened up about the recent ESPN report that claims he was abusive to […]

Former Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson says he allowed LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, to fly on the team plane once this season. Johnson says Paul told him he was in Brooklyn and the team just so happened to be there as well. Paul represents James and Lakers […]

Former Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson has denied a report from ESPN which claimed he was abusive to employees. An ESPN report released on Tuesday said Johnson used intimidation and bullying as a way of showing authority within the Lakers organization. The Hall of Famer, however, says that never occurred. Magic […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ front office is perhaps as dysfunctional as it has ever been in its 72 years of history, and the hiring of president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka made it all the more so: “According to nearly two dozen current and former team staffers, ranging from occupants of executive suites […]

Perhaps the best example of the lack of experience and unpreparedness of a front office headlined by former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and current general manager Rob Pelinka were the puzzling signings made after acquiring their prized jewel in LeBron James. The two executives had their mind made up as to who would […]

Following an earlier airing of dirty laundry and an unabashed diss of Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson seems to have some closet skeletons of his own. According to a report from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, the former executive used “intimidation and bullying” as a way to showcase […]

Battle for L.A. Podcast Episode 6 – In their first public press conference since the end of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers not only introduced head coach Frank Vogel this past week, but also saw general manager Rob Pelinka essentially undergo an interrogation by members of the media following Magic Johnson’s tirade on First […]

After a contentious and highly entertaining appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Magic Johnson became further embroiled in the drama surrounding the embattled Los Angeles Lakers franchise. Johnson’s freewheeling appearance on the show, which features Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman, covered all manner of topics — including the signing of LeBron James, his myriad of […]

ESPN analyst and ex-NBA player Jay Williams blasted former Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson for his tirades against the franchise in a recent appearance on ESPN’s First Take. Johnson made big revelations during the interview, during which he said that he left the Lakers because he felt he does not have the decision-making power […]

Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade is coming to the defense of former Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson, who stepped down as president of basketball operations of the Lakers at the end of the 2018-19 regular season. After resigning from his post, numerous reports started to come out stating Johnson was lazy and wasn’t doing […]

Los Angeles Lakers star small forward LeBron James reportedly expressed concern that the combination of Magic Johnson’s messy exit and all the negative Lakers headlines threatened to sabotage the plans for this summer, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Johnson stepped down from his president role near the end of the regular season during […]

In the least surprising NBA news of the night, former Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson sent out an extremely amusing Tweet about his basketball-viewing plans for the evening. Ahead of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference Finals between the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks, Johnson provided an innocuous update on his snacking plans for […]

NBA legend Magic Johnson made big revelations against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night after staying quiet since he resigned as team president. Johnson said that he stepped down from his post after not getting the decision-making power that he was promised. However, it appears that Johnson had contrasting statements with regards to focusing […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have an ongoing streak of disarray, dating back to the time when former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson was at the helm of the front office. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the disconnect between Johnson and governing owner Jeanie Buss could have stemmed from a leak of the […]

The Magic Johnson bombshell dropped on Monday’s episode of First take is one that shook not only the Los Angeles Lakers, but all of the NBA world. As a result of Magic’s condemnation of former front office partner Rob Pelinka and his “betrayal” by means of gossip, Richard Jefferson took the Hall of Famer’s side, […]

Before the Los Angeles Lakers’ season ended, they were stunned by Magic Johnson’s resignation as the team’s president of basketball operations. No one from the team knew that he had planned on doing that until he said it himself in an impromptu press conference before the team’s final game back in April. For a brief […]

Magic Johnson, the erstwhile President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, had an extremely entertaining and informative appearance on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman. Johnson was questioned about his infamous press conference in which he stepped down as a member of the Lakers’ front office as well as […]

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 […]

Back in February 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers named Magic Johnson their president of basketball operations. Just a little over two years later, Johnson decided to resign from the position. Now, the Lakers have eliminated the job altogether. According to Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles has gotten rid of the team […]

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is saddened by Magic Johnson’s decision to call him out on national television, as the former president of basketball operations went on ESPN’s “First Take” and accused his former partner for backstabbing him throughout their tenure together. During Monday’s press conference to introduce new head coach Frank Vogel, Pelinka […]

Magic Johnson isn’t saying Jeanie Buss should sell the Lakers right now. However, if she were to ever consider that option, it sounds like he would be a potential buyer. According to a report from Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times, Johnson would be interested in forming a financial team to purchase the Lakers […]

Magic Johnson shocked the basketball world at the end of the regular season by stepping down as president of the Los Angeles Lakers, but he still has some advice for the franchise he knows and loves, and that advice is for Kobe Bryant to be a bigger part of things going forward: “I don’t know […]

Magic Johnson believes LeBron James will bring a championship to the Los Angeles Lakers in due time, as he predicted with unequivocal belief upon making an appearance in ESPN’s First Take. “It’s gonna happen. It’s gonna happen,” said Johnson, who resigned from his post as president of basketball operations right before the regular season finale […]

Magic Johnson admitted he made a mistake upon letting starting center Brook Lopez walk only one season after acquiring him, according to ESPN’s Arash Markazi. Johnson traded for him as a result of a salary dump that shipped D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Lopez. The former Los Angeles […]

NBA legend Magic Johnson made a guest appearance on Monday’s airing of ESPN’s First Take. During the wide-ranging interview, Johnson was asked about the hiring of Frank Vogel, who was named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers last week. Johnson says he supports Vogel, but it sounds like he was pulling for Tyronn Lue. […]

Magic Johnson uncovered all the smoke surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, including the rumored packages he offered for New Orleans Pelicans talisman Anthony Davis prior to the trade deadline. The former president of basketball operations went on ESPN’s First Take and blamed Dell Demps for leaking the trade details — details that ultimate upset nearly […]

Former Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson stopped by ESPN’s First Take to “speak his truth” and share some thoughts about the team’s future. Among them was the players the Lakers should target going into free agency, as Magic quickly pointed to Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving as the top two players […]

Magic Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations with the Los Angeles Lakers right before the conclusion of the 2018-19 regular season. It was a move that caught many by surprise, including LeBron James. Now, a few weeks later, Johnson is opening up about his decision. Johnson played a big role in James’ decision […]

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson was cognizant of the role envy in the front office while working alongside general manager Rob Pelinka. The former president of basketball operations told ESPN’s First Take that Pelinka was chasing after his job, even after he told the latter he would get him ready to take that position […]

Magic Johnson spilled the details of his short-lived tenure as president of the Los Angeles Lakers on the set of ESPN’s “First Take,” and among them was his intent to fire former coach Luke Walton to get a “better coach” instead: “The straw that broke the camel’s back was I wanted to fire Luke Walton,” […]

Magic Johnson is not of the opinion that Los Angeles Lakers will trade LeBron James despite rumors surrounding the possibility. Johnson surprisingly resigned as president of the team in April, and many were unsure as to why he decided to leave the franchise. However, Johnson made it clear in a recent interview on ESPN’s First […]

Magic Johnson has broken his silence after a month-plus away from the Los Angeles Lakers following his abrupt departure from his position as president of basketball operations. The Lakers legend went on ESPN’s First Take and pointed to general manager Rob Pelinka and his “betrayal” as the reason why he decided to leave his post […]