Magic Johnson Is Embarrassed By Lakers As Calls Mount For Jeanie Buss to Take $7.1B Decision
What is happening with the Lakers? “Uneven and inconsistent.” JJ Redick needed only three words to highlight his review of the Lakers’ performance, after 20 games. Despite a fair start to the season, LeBron James and Co. have faltered over the last couple of weeks. Having won only 2 of their 7 recent matchups, diminishing their season record down to 12-9, the LA team is losing chances of getting ahead of their rivals. But if the Heat-Lakers game told fans anything, it is that the squad’s past mistakes have not taught them much…
In one of its worst games this season, the Lakers lost to the Miami Heat by 41 points, 93-134. This is the eighth-worst loss by the team in the last 47 years. But do you know what’s worse?
This game had both LeBron James and Anthony Davis but went on to become Miami’s third-biggest win in history. They also recorded the most team assists (42) and threes (24). Interestingly, Miami had lost two straight games to the Lakers previously. No wonder the Lakers’ HC, Redick, is perplexed.
“I’m embarrassed; we’re all embarrassed. It’s not a game that I thought we had the right fight, the right professionalism. Not sure what was lost in translation. There has to be some ownership on the court and I’ll take all the ownership in the world. This is my team and I lead it and I’m embarrassed. But I can’t physically get us organized,” he stated.
“I can’t physically be into the basketball. I can’t physically talk and call out reds and physically call out coverages. It’s not…I’m not, and by the way, I’m not blaming players. It’s not. I own this, but going to need some ownership on the court as well. …There’s not a sense from me that we’re together right now. And that’s what we say in the huddle. Doesn’t feel that way. Doesn’t feel that way. And, again, we’re in a tough stretch. And we’re all trying to find it.”
As the matchup concluded its 3rd quarter, the Lakers were down by an abysmal 105-72 points. Jimmy Butler and Co. keep their rivals on their toes throughout the game. Weirdly, Redick’s army was seldom seen putting up a fight. An example of this was when the Heat had 74-52 on the board and made a deep shot after a bit of efficient passing. The Lakers, on their part, did not even attempt to steal the ball during the play. The performance was so jaw-dropping that it garnered a reaction from Magic Johnson himself!
The NBA legend took to X to write “I’m embarrassed for the Lakers. They were down 32 points to the Miami Heat 105-72 at the end of the third quarter.”
With Johnson coming out with his critique, it was obvious that others would follow soon enough. What did fans have to say?
Los Angeles Lakers: Fans want to see Rob Pelinka fired!
Magic Johnson is certainly someone who would have the contacts of the Lakers‘ management. Along with being a renowned Laker of the ‘Showtime’ era, Johnson also served in the front office. He was the president of basketball operations in the late 2010s. So, while fans can simply make their voices heard via tweets, the legend can directly reach the team owner and general manager to discuss! Owing to that, fans mentioned:
“Tell Jeanie to sell the f—–g team I know you have her cheap a-s on speed dial, or f—–g tell Pelinka to trade those picks, he sits on his a-s all day.”
“Put a word in and get rid of Mr. Pelinka.”
Magic Johnson was with the Lakers when LeBron James opted out of his Cavaliers contract to become a free agent. During an episode of ‘Legacy: The True Story of the Los Angeles Lakers’, he revealed how James’ agent, Rich Paul, reached out about a meeting to discuss the potential signing. Johnson instantly accepted the offer and was reportedly outside LBJ’s house 1-hour before their meeting.
It was he who gave LeBron James the specifics about the Lakers’ situation, including how James would fit in. He even said, “If you let me work my magic, I will put us in a position where we can contend for a championship.” Referring to this, a fan told Johnson:
“You should have never brought that fraud Lebron to the Lakers hes f—–n trash.”
However, LeBron James was the only player from the Lakers’ side who was able to perform efficiently against the Miami Heat. After all, he used his 29 minutes to drop 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Acquiring James did work for the Lakers. They made it to the playoffs four times with him and even won the championship title back in 2020. So, blaming a single player might be a bit too harsh.
Further, Rob Pelinka has seldom been a popular figure amongst Lakers fans. Criticism around him has seen an increase. Amid Jarred Vanderbilt’s injury, Shams Charania released a report: “His (Vanderbilt) absence has also prevented the Lakers’ front office from fully evaluating the needs of its roster as trade season approaches.” According to reports, fans on Reddit called this an excuse by Rob Pelinka, and others, to avoid making improvements.
Back in June, Pelinka came under attack after Dejounte Murray, who was considered a candidate, was instead traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. Amid the team’s precarious position, fans need someone to blame! And for a long time, Rob Pelinka has been that person.
“Buy out the Lakers with your ownership group big bro.”
A couple of people wanted Johnson to buy the $7.1 billion team. In fact, he is a founding member of the Guggenheim Baseball Management. Together, the group acquired an ownership stake in the LA Dodgers back in 2012. The former player also holds a stake in the WNBA’s LA Sparks, MLS’s LAFC, and the NFL’s Washington Commanders! Johnson even bought a 4.5% stake in the Lakers back in 1994.
However, he sold it in 2010 for $10 million, right before the team’s value exploded. Per Forbes, if he had held that stake by October 2023, he could have walked away with $265 million.
“Respectfully, maybe Darvin Ham wasn’t the problem Magic.”
Amidst the Lakers’ abysmal performance during the previous season, the then-head coach, Darvin Ham, was being attacked from all sides. Reports indicated that even LeBron James, and other players, were not happy with him. Even Magic Johnson took an indirect shot when he said, “They (Lakers) wouldn’t have been in the play-in game or finished as a 7th seed this season if they hadn’t lost too many games because of load management.” However, he later apologized for this statement.
Overall, the reactions saw fans united in their criticism of the LA team, which is valued at $7.1 billion. Watching from the sidelines, all Magic Johnson can do now is send the team some tough love. What do you think?
