Magic stepping down???

[mjs34]

Am the only one that thinks it might have been due to Lebron's antics? I heard him state in an interview that he didn't like the backstabbing or behind the scenes whispers.

I haven't heard anyone in the media even approach this angle. I hear them saying Magic wasn't putting in the time. That he didn't build the right type of team. Dark days are ahead for the lakers. How much change could Magic be expected to make in one off season?

[AbeVigodaLive]

Am the only one that thinks it might have been due to Lebron's antics? I heard him state in an interview that he didn't like the backstabbing or behind the scenes whispers.

I haven't heard anyone in the media even approach this angle. I hear them saying Magic wasn't putting in the time. That he didn't build the right type of team. Dark days are ahead for the lakers. How much change could Magic be expected to make in one off season?

1) I don't think Magic was right for that sort of gig.
2) I think James continues to get a pass for all his machiavellian behind-the-scenes antics. Only recently has he received any blowback. And even then... here's a guy who threw EVERYBODY under the bus except himself... then he went out and got caught on video playing such lazy embarrassing defense that even young James Harden would blush. Only to throw his teammates under the bus. Again.


[Note: Incredible player. Not my favorite person.]

[Monster]

Am the only one that thinks it might have been due to Lebron's antics? I heard him state in an interview that he didn't like the backstabbing or behind the scenes whispers.

I haven't heard anyone in the media even approach this angle. I hear them saying Magic wasn't putting in the time. That he didn't build the right type of team. Dark days are ahead for the lakers. How much change could Magic be expected to make in one off season?

1) I don't think Magic was right for that sort of gig.
2) I think James continues to get a pass for all his machiavellian behind-the-scenes antics. Only recently has he received any blowback. And even then... here's a guy who threw EVERYBODY under the bus except himself... then he went out and got caught on video playing such lazy embarrassing defense that even young James Harden would blush. Only to throw his teammates under the bus. Again.


[Note: Incredible player. Not my favorite person.]

My question is:

Who was responsible for the offseason moves surrounding Lebron with guys that weren't shooters that handle the ball that was NOT a formula that ever had worked with Lebron? Who was responsible for trading Zubac for Mike Muscala? Personally I had major misgiving about Magic doing that job when he took over things. Magic said he wasn't having fun anymore. That's fine but what did he think this job was? Does Lebron utilize his power etc? Sure. Which guy would I give the benefit of the doubt to? Lebron. One article brought up some hilariously bad Magic Tweets over the last few years.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Am the only one that thinks it might have been due to Lebron's antics? I heard him state in an interview that he didn't like the backstabbing or behind the scenes whispers.

I haven't heard anyone in the media even approach this angle. I hear them saying Magic wasn't putting in the time. That he didn't build the right type of team. Dark days are ahead for the lakers. How much change could Magic be expected to make in one off season?

1) I don't think Magic was right for that sort of gig.
2) I think James continues to get a pass for all his machiavellian behind-the-scenes antics. Only recently has he received any blowback. And even then... here's a guy who threw EVERYBODY under the bus except himself... then he went out and got caught on video playing such lazy embarrassing defense that even young James Harden would blush. Only to throw his teammates under the bus. Again.


[Note: Incredible player. Not my favorite person.]

My question is:

Who was responsible for the offseason moves surrounding Lebron with guys that weren't shooters that handle the ball that was NOT a formula that ever had worked with Lebron? Who was responsible for trading Zubac for Mike Muscala? Personally I had major misgiving about Magic doing that job when he took over things. Magic said he wasn't having fun anymore. That's fine but what did he think this job was? Does Lebron utilize his power etc? Sure. Which guy would I give the benefit of the doubt to? Lebron. One article brought up some hilariously bad Magic Tweets over the last few years.

As noted... Magic wasn't right for the gig. He wasn't good at it.

As for James, do you really think he didn't sign off on those deals? He has more clout than any NBA player... ever. And it's not close. And the Lakers knew that was part of the deal when he signed there.

[Monster]

Am the only one that thinks it might have been due to Lebron's antics? I heard him state in an interview that he didn't like the backstabbing or behind the scenes whispers.

I haven't heard anyone in the media even approach this angle. I hear them saying Magic wasn't putting in the time. That he didn't build the right type of team. Dark days are ahead for the lakers. How much change could Magic be expected to make in one off season?

1) I don't think Magic was right for that sort of gig.
2) I think James continues to get a pass for all his machiavellian behind-the-scenes antics. Only recently has he received any blowback. And even then... here's a guy who threw EVERYBODY under the bus except himself... then he went out and got caught on video playing such lazy embarrassing defense that even young James Harden would blush. Only to throw his teammates under the bus. Again.


[Note: Incredible player. Not my favorite person.]

My question is:

Who was responsible for the offseason moves surrounding Lebron with guys that weren't shooters that handle the ball that was NOT a formula that ever had worked with Lebron? Who was responsible for trading Zubac for Mike Muscala? Personally I had major misgiving about Magic doing that job when he took over things. Magic said he wasn't having fun anymore. That's fine but what did he think this job was? Does Lebron utilize his power etc? Sure. Which guy would I give the benefit of the doubt to? Lebron. One article brought up some hilariously bad Magic Tweets over the last few years.

As noted... Magic wasn't right for the gig. He wasn't good at it.

As for James, do you really think he didn't sign off on those deals? He has more clout than any NBA player... ever. And it's not close. And the Lakers knew that was part of the deal when he signed there.

We know Lebron wasn't in the dark when it came to those FAs or at least some of them no doubt. Still if Magic and Rob Pelika were good at their job they probably outline a better plan than what they ended up going with. I'm certainly not excusing Lebron either. One thing that's always bothered me about Lebron was his attention to defense. I don't think that helped the Lakers this season either and that young group played decent defense last year...again why can't the Wolves play league average defense?

[Lipoli390]

My thoughts on LeBron. Probably the best physical talent to ever play in the NBA when you consider his size, strength and speed in his prime. And he's definitely one of the best players to ever play the game. But the reason he'll never be on par with Michael Jordan in my view is defense - MJ was one of the best on that end of the court while LeBron has been one of the worst.

As for the roster assembled by the Lakers, there should be no doubt that LeBron signed off on the Lakers' player moves and acquisitions this past year. The only franchise that didn't let him run the entire show was the Heat. Pat Riley wouldn't allow it. That said, I don't think Magic Johnson was up to the job and he has to be held accountable for the roster.

LeBron strikes me as a jerk and the worst kind of jerk in that he takes control without accepting responsibility and is quick to throw others under the bus. But I'd still swap Wiggins straight up for him. :)

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

LeBron was DPOY caliber for a lot of his career. It's only been recent seasons -- well after his prime -- that his defense has become an issue. Crazy how time plays a factor into people's memory.

[Coolbreeze44]

In terms of personal character, I'd take Lebron over Magic 10 times out of 10. I can read the writing on the wall here. Magic saw that no one was coming to help Lebron, realized he was going to be blamed for that, and took the easy way out. He's getting ripped by the national pundits for not only leaving, but for the way he did it (going to the media first). I have no respect for the guy, and quite frankly never did.

[kekgeek]

LeBron was DPOY caliber for a lot of his career. It's only been recent seasons -- well after his prime -- that his defense has become an issue. Crazy how time plays a factor into people's memory.

Ya, Im not even a Lebron fan, but he was the best defender in the NBA during his prime. Now he doesn't bring it every night but he can get close to that level when needed.

I would still take MJ though any day of the week

[mjs34]

In terms of personal character, I'd take Lebron over Magic 10 times out of 10. I can read the writing on the wall here. Magic saw that no one was coming to help Lebron, realized he was going to be blamed for that, and took the easy way out. He's getting ripped by the national pundits for not only leaving, but for the way he did it (going to the media first). I have no respect for the guy, and quite frankly never did.

I don't care for the character of either, but the bolded part is why I started this thread. Why should Magic be blamed nobody coming to help Lebron? Isn't that because of the culture (read drama) that Lebron creates? Why isn't there any talk of Durant or Kwahi going to the lakers? Paul George was pretty much a guarantee until Lebron signed there.

While I agree that Magic didn't seem cut out for the job, I also think it is odd that the Lebron angle has never surfaced.

And Lebron will never garner the respect of fans that were lucky enough to see MJ play. MJ built a dynasty, while Lebron tried to buy one. I don't think it is any coincidence that Lebron doesn't tend to stay at any one place too long.