*News of Magic Johnson’s abrupt resignation as the Los Angeles Laker’s president of basketball operations has rocked sports fans and colleagues alike, including LeBron James, who was reportedly “stunned” by Johnson’s decision, ESPN reports.
The four-time MVP still “stands behind Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and the organization,” the report states.
“I had more fun when I was able to be the big brother and the ambassador to everyone. I thought about Dwyane Wade retiring tomorrow and I can’t even tweet that out. I can’t be there,” Johnson told reporters.
“I was happier when I wasn’t the president. When you have to make trades, you’re not happy, when you like people. I think Luke is a good man. I like Luke a lot. So what we have different opinions about different things. That’s ok. My concern is my relationship with my sister, Jeanie Buss. That’s all I care about. All the rest of the stuff doesn’t matter.”
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Magic Johnson shocks – well, everyone – and announces he’s stepping down as president of the Lakers. Says he’s not yet spoken to Jeanie Buss to tell her. Says he’s sick of tampering rules, he’s tired of the “backstabbing” & says he didn’t want to disappoint Jeanie by firing Luke. pic.twitter.com/m50VKQmmDR
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 10, 2019
Folks seems to think that Johnson’s decision had to do with the future coach Luke Walton and how Magic didn’t want to kick him to the curb as the Lakers end another less than stellar season.
“We love Luke [Walton], so I got to make a decision and that’s a tough thing,” Johnson said. “I’m good with where I am. I’m happy. I want to do the things I used to do, so I had to weigh both situations, so this is better for me.”
Johnson’s announcement came before the Lakers’ regular-season finale against the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night, a 104-101 loss.
“It’s a difficult decision. I cried before I came here,” a visibly emotional Johnson said before the game. “I am about to cry now. It’s hard when you love an organization the way I love this organization. It’s hard when you love a person like I love Jeanie [Buss]. I don’t want to disappoint her.”
He added, “I want to go back to having fun,” he said. “I want to go back to being who I was before taking on this job.”
In related news, sneaker deals are reportedly preventing NBA stars from starring in ‘Space Jam 2, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
There seems to be some debate about whether NBA All-Stars Stephen Curry, James Harden and Kevin Durant will join LeBron James in the project, which he produced with “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler. Each baller has a sneaker deal with rival brands, so it seems unlikely that they will participate in the feature.
Nike’s “Hare Jordan” commercial was the original inspiration for the “Space Jam” franchise. While James is signed with Nike, Curry is with Under Armour and Harden rocks with Adidas. Durant is also signed with Nike but is reportedly busy with his own ventures, including an autobiographical Apple series called “Swagger.”
“Space Jam 2” is scheduled for released July 16, 2021.
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