Magic disappears: Johnson leaves Lakers in lurch

Upon his arrival, he breathed new hope into a once-proud but now stagnant franchise. He made daring promises, reignited the passionate fire within the fans, and charmed everyone with his iconic smile. Everyone was captivated and willingly followed his lead.

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.

With a weary look and a weepy disposition, Magic started by saying, “I cried before I came here and I’m on the verge of crying now”, characterizing his seemingly impulsive decision as “a tough thing.”

He continued, “You need to be happy. I need 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

Once hailed with applause, the 16-time champions now find themselves the target of derisive laughter, surrounded by castoffs and retreads. This unsightly situation arises at a critical time for the Lakers, as they are about to start their summer search for a superstar to save what remains of LeBron’s career. This mission will be undertaken without Magic in command, who decided he wasn’t cut out for all the responsibilities his role required.

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 wasn’t entirely without merit: he acquired Kyle Kuzma and additional cap space through the Russell trade, drafted Lonzo Ball (who has shown potential amidst injuries), and, thanks to his diligent management of the salary cap space, the Lakers are poised to sign one or more free agents this summer.

Leading a team involves a lot of unappealing hard work such as analyzing game footage, scouting, strategizing, managing relationships with agents, handling crises, being responsible and being the final decision maker. These are the kind of uncelebrated, backstage responsibilities that often discourage superstars from pursuing this career path post their playing days.

Many legendary players struggle to find success as general managers or team presidents due to an inability to handle the intricacies of the role and their impatience with less skilled players. Jerry West, however, is an exception. It’s intriguing to consider what “The Logo” might be thinking about his former team today as he successfully guides the Clippers, a playoff-bound team, across town.

Did Magic have the determination to excel in that prominent position? And when he recently attended the NCAA Tournament, did he derive more pleasure from supporting his cherished Michigan State, rather than evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of leading Draft prospects?

What about the fate of coach Luke Walton, who managed to survive the entire season? There is considerable evidence suggesting that Magic intended to dismiss Walton as early as today, but encountered some pushback from Buss. Although she never openly declared Walton’s job secure, she also never refrained from expressing her affection for him. Those close to Magic suggest that he was hesitant to handle the possible repercussions.

Johnson’s statements were quite ambiguous. He vaguely referred to “all the backstabbing” without providing further details. It seemed as though the experience and subsequent departure had significantly affected him, seemingly robbing him of some of his “joy.” Rumors circulated about a possible rebellion within the team, with several employees voicing their dissatisfaction with Magic’s leadership. This might have played a role in the situation.

Another theory, suggested by NBA insiders, is that Johnson might have had a strong suspicion of an uneventful summer ahead for him and the Lakers. Perhaps, he thought it was better to step down now rather than face potential criticism later.

Should the Lakers once again miss out on acquiring Davis, and also not secure A-list free agents such as Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard, this could not only harm the image of the Lakers as a desirable franchise, but also shatter the idea of Johnson being a draw.

This will all adhere to his legacy and his off-court image, remarkable for someone who thrived in business yet missed all the genuine basketball opportunities provided to him by the Lakers and the Buss family.

The Lakers urgently need to reorganize their team. Buss is tasked with fixing a broken front office, introducing skilled leaders who can understand the team lineup and establish a clear and achievable target. The Lakers’ financial details are managed by their GM, Rob Pelinka, a former agent, alongside Magic. If this responsibility stays unchanged, then the Lakers need to recruit a seasoned president who is familiar with the field.

Above all, they face two ticking clocks. One is counting down towards the Draft and summer, when the Lakers will pursue the sort of talent that could enhance their immediate winning chances. The other clock is tied to LeBron, who is about to turn 35 next season, with three years remaining on his contract, and his determination is about to be put to the test. How can they make the most out of his remaining potential? Or should they consider trading him?

The situation has become confusing and puzzling, creating a new reality for the Lakers. The once champion-producing team is now at a critical juncture. There’s been a drastic descent from the pinnacle of Kobe Bryant’s prime to the mockery of Tuesday’s astounding disclosure.

Johnson made his choice. He left, holding the belief that it would be beneficial for him. It might also prove to be 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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