USA Today via Reuters
Feb 9, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) participates in shoot around before Lakers play Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 9, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) participates in shoot around before Lakers play Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Now aged 62, Magic Johnson remains one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ most honest fans. A former player for the franchise, and one of the finest at that, he inspired an entire generation of hopeful guards. As a result, it comes as no surprise that Magic is disappointed with the team’s current form. Recently, he justified his discontentment against LeBron James and co.
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During a career spanning from 1979 to 1996, Earvin Johnson Jr. really grew into the starting guard position for the Los Angeles Lakers. At the tender age of 20, the Buss family entrusted Johnson with the duty to become the franchise’s next big thing. And he delivered with aplomb. 5 NBA titles, 12 All-Star appearances, and 3 Finals MVP awards later, Magic is among LA’s most revered legends. Naturally, his loyalty to the team has stayed intact even years after his retirement.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises speaks onstage during ONWARD19: The Future Of Search – Day 2 at Marriott Marquis Times Square on October 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Yext)
Magic Johnson evaluates harsh words against LeBron James and the Lakers
For quite some time now, the Lakers have been struggling in the 2021-22 season. Even with the likes of LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis, they haven’t clicked as a unit. A few weeks ago, Frank Vogel’s men were blown away by 37 points against the Denver Nuggets. In the aftermath of a stinging reality check, Johnson called out the side for their lack of commitment to the end goal.
After being blown out by the Nuggets 133-96, we as @Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of urgency. Owner @JeanieBuss, you deserve better.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 16, 2022
Taking to Twitter, the legendary Laker commented, “We as Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of urgency. Owner Jeanie Buss, you deserve better.”
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As revealed by The Athletic, Johnson later clarified that his statement was in good taste. “I sent that tweet out for a reason. It’s a different standard when you put on the purple and gold, and so those guys have to understand that, you know, not taking a shot at anybody. But that’s unacceptable as a Laker, to not give maximum effort.”
Despite lagging behind at the moment, LeBron James and the Lakers have the assets to go all the way. Hopefully, they can take Johnson’s words in a positive sense, and turn their season around.
Do you think that the Lakers can bounce back? Let us know in the comments below.
