Magic disappears: Johnson leaves Lakers in lurch

Upon his arrival, he infused a stale but proud franchise with hope. He made daring promises, reignited the passion of the fans, flashed his renowned smile, and effortlessly had everyone on board and captivated by it.

And then, like magic, poof — or more like oof — Magic Johnson vanished and left the Lakers hanging.

This was in 1994, when the most radiant superstar of his generation was a freshly retired player searching for a new way to be seen as a winner. And so Magic did something unorthodox and took the Lakers’ coaching job, even though he’d never coached before. He lasted all of 16 games before pulling the plug on a misguided experiment, and maybe that was the no-look pass we all should’ve seen coming two decades later.

Because once again, Magic failed in a poorly planned way to make an impact in the game other than running the fast break. In another bizarre moment to cap this season of several, he bailed on the Lakers again, this time as president of basketball operations after 14 months. He made that official with a spontaneous and confusing ramble moments before the season finale Tuesday.

Appearing tired and on the verge of tears, Magic started by saying: “I cried before I got here and I’m about to cry now.” He referred to his decision, which appeared impulsive, as “a tough thing.”

He said, “You have to be happy. I have to be happy.”

Nobody had an advance heads-up, most notably Jeanie Buss, the principal owner who put her reputation on the line in 2017 by putting Magic in charge shortly after wrestling control of the club from Jim Buss in a family takeover. And now, what exactly has changed since the dreadful era of Jeanie Buss’ baseball cap-wearing bro? The Lakers, who haven’t made the playoffs in six years and just put the wraps on a lost season with LeBron James in the fold, remain an organization that’s been frantically searching for traction ever since the passing of the great Jerry Buss.

For her part, Buss struck a loyal pose next to Johnson in the wake of his about-face, having a Lakers-issued statement that was all good: “We are deeply grateful for all Magic has done for our franchise — as a player, an ambassador and an executive.” Buss also sent a social media love-letter that read in part: “You’ve brought us a long way. We will continue the journey. We love you.”

Earvin, I loved working side by side with you. You’ve brought us a long way. We will continue the journey. We love you https://t.co/ofmQl6BtBz

— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) April 10, 2019

There used to be applause, but now there are only derisive laughs aimed at these 16-time champions who now mingle with the rejected and recycled. It’s an unflattering image, particularly at this crucial moment, with the Lakers set to start a summer quest for a star who can rescue the remnants of LeBron’s career. Magic won’t be leading this effort, having decided he wasn’t cut out for all the demands of the job after all.

Magic quit because he couldn’t be Magic anymore, not in the way he wanted to be, not in the special and fawning way folks treated him prior to this trainwreck. In particular, those close to him say he hated criticism of his personnel decisions. And that volume was turned up the last few months after the botched Anthony Davis trade attempt at the deadline, then again when the Lakers looked feeble on the floor down the stretch with and without LeBron, costing the club a playoff spot.

For someone so beloved, someone who sits on the Mount Rushmore of Los Angeles sports figures, that negativity has stung, particularly in this social media age during which there’s no escaping the glare. Too often, the basketball public reminded Magic of those he threw off the Lakers’ boat as president — chief among them the young point guard D’Angelo Russell, diminished by Magic for being unfit to lead the Lakers.

Russell is now an All-Star on playoff-bound Brooklyn. There were others: Lou Williams, Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr., Brook Lopez, heck even Ivica Zubac, who was dealt at mid-season. All of them are thriving in other uniforms and causing second-guesses.

Johnson’s tenure, though not completely successful, did have some notable achievements: He acquired Kyle Kuzma and cap space from the Russell trade, drafted Lonzo Ball (who has displayed potential despite injuries), and positioned the Lakers to sign one or more free agents this summer, thanks to his strong safeguarding of salary cap space.

Leading a team involves a lot of mundane and laborious tasks such as conducting film sessions, scouting, planning, liaising with agents, resolving issues, taking responsibility, and being the final decision-maker. These thankless behind-the-scenes responsibilities often discourage superstars from pursuing this line of work after they retire from playing.

Numerous all-time greats struggle to achieve the same success as general managers or team presidents due to these intricate details and their personal impatience when dealing with less skilled players. Jerry West, however, is the anomaly. As he guides the playoff-bound Clippers, one must wonder what “The Logo” thinks of his former team today.

Did Magic possess the willingness to do what was needed to excel in that significant role? Or, during his recent attendance at the NCAA Tournament, did he find greater joy in supporting his favorite Michigan State rather than analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of potential Draft candidates?

What about the future of Coach Luke Walton, who managed to hang on throughout the season? There’s plenty of evidence suggesting that Magic was keen on dismissing Walton as early as today, but encountered some push-back from Buss. Although Buss never publicly guaranteed Walton’s job security, she also never shied away from expressing her fondness for him. Sources close to Magic suggest that he was not willing to face the repercussions of such a decision.

Johnson kept things rather ambiguous. He mentioned “all the backstabbing” but didn’t provide any further details. He seemed exhausted by the whole ordeal and his departure. It seemed to take a toll on him, robbing him of some of his “joy.” Gossip circulated about a potential team revolt where a number of employees voiced their irritation with Magic’s leadership. That might have played a part.

Another theory suggested by NBA insiders is that Johnson might have had an inkling or a strong suspicion that he and the Lakers were facing an uneventful summer. Perhaps, it was better to step down now to avoid potential criticism.

Should the Lakers not succeed in acquiring Davis for a second time, and also miss out on top-tier free agents such as Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard, it would not only harm the image of the Lakers as a desirable team to join, but also shatter the idea of Johnson being a key attraction.

This will all adhere to his legacy and off-court persona, remarkable for someone who thrived in business but missed all the clean basketball opportunities that the Lakers and the Buss family crafted for him.

The Lakers need to reorganize. Buss has the task of mending a broken front office by introducing capable leaders who can understand the team dynamics and set a feasible goal. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ GM and a former agent, takes care of the financial complexities alongside Magic. If this structure continues, the Lakers will require a seasoned president who is familiar with the landscape.

Primarily, they’re racing against two clocks. One is ticking towards the Draft and summer, the period when the Lakers will be pursuing the caliber of talent that can get them immediate victories. The second clock is synchronized to LeBron’s timeline. He will be 35 in the next season, with only three years remaining in his contract, and his determination will be severely tested. How can they get the best out of his remaining potential? Or should they consider trading him?

The Lakers are in a state of confusion and bewilderment, a situation that has become their new normal. The once dominant and prestigious championship team is again at a critical juncture. The team’s downfall has been significant, from the peak of Kobe Bryant’s prime to the ridicule following Tuesday’s astonishing disclosure.

Johnson made his choice. He left, convinced that it would be beneficial for him. Possibly, it could also prove advantageous for the franchise.

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.

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