Weird how we've gone from in the past from a near consensus that Magic's Laker chatter in the media can be bat guano cray-cray, to a fairly warm welcome in the front office. His criticalness of Jim creates an instant "oil and water" combo in the FO. Something's got to give there. If Jeanie is going to make a move regarding Jim she needs to show that she, or someone in her employ, is capable of finding the right person to fill that spot. And though Magic is a clever real estate developer at least partially thanks to the Dr, let's be honest, Jeanie didn't hire him for the business, she's hiring him for basketball and basketball personnel. There is nothing about this move in any way, shape or form that looks good for Jim. My concern is, Magic is not the answer either unless his purpose is to pitch potential GMs and players.
Wasn't he flip-flopping even when he was a minority owner? I think that's just who he is... plus being captain obvious.
The Lakers think bringing back former (great) players will make them a great team? How many great players have gone to become great front office guys? I'm not sure I like this deal. I think Jimmy is gone and Jeanie was looking for a shield to hide behind. The main thing is Jeanie needs to go as well. She is as bad a front office employee as her brother.
One thing to consider is IF Jim isn't on his way out, then maybe he's finally open to delegating more of the basketball operations duties to others / people with more knowledge (like Magic). This has been a big criticism of Jim and this would be a step in the right direction I believe.
That...actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and somewhat reflects another aspect of having Magic around - a much more friendly press.
We need someone with a mid-term/long term vision who can make the right roster moves to make us an attractive team to top free agents in a second time , we don't need a "personality" . The main reason Shaq became a Laker isn't because West and Buss had charisma but because they acquired/drafted Van Exel , Jones and them to make us an decent/ attractive team a top player could put over the top ( plus the LA/Holywood factor). Replace Mitch/Jim with Magic as the main pitcher during the summers 13-15 and the outcome would have been exactly the same ... This hire may trigger another one to replace Jim but as of now it isn't a game changer . Find some who can "transform" this team to a 45-50 wins one within a 3 years window then we'll talk about Magic charisma ...
1. basketball reasons 2. death of the belover owner 3. injury to HoF player 4. family fued 5. bad coach 6. bad coach 7. bad coach 8. farewell tour & bad coach and finally 9. horrible gimmicks I am extremely sad.
Jim is most likely out, Magic is either replacing Jim himself or going to hire someone new. Mitch and Ryan West hopefully keep their positions and continue their grooming process. Mitch, Magic and Luke seems like a good pitch team. Hopefully Magic sort of takes DAR under his wing and straightens him out. Not really sure what to make of this move but at least in theory it should solidify the front office. Something this young team needs I think.
Those two don't have any Laker insiders. They're great for football though. Ireland and the others said it's likely Jim is out, but that it's not set in stone yet.
Magic would have helped years ago when Kobe wasn't a shell and we had room to operate (namely Melo). I'm not sure it would have been the right move, who knows, but I think Magic would have absolutely helped bring Melo here over NY where Melo knew absolutely that he'd be toiling away for 5 years for no reason. edit- just read that Magic was indeed there for Carmelo's meeting (through Jeanie's Mouthpiece) which makes sense why that meeting almost worked when all the others were thrown away garbage.
The Mouthpiece speaks. Boy did that one come off as extraordinarily heavy handed. I wonder if Jeanie wrote it herself. It could not have been more biased if it came with Jeanie's stamp of approval and an anti-Jim Buss bumper sticker. That there tells me Jim is completely out, will be voted out by his siblings, and that Magic is looking to take over the general path of the team. Mitch is a maybe to stay, but the young Buss kids and the young West are the ones who are being tabbed to take over. Wow.
I think Mitch stays. I really have no problem letting go of Jim. Magic is a "master delegator" much the same way Jerry was; he'll hire the best and let them do their jobs. I'm cool with it after having heard his interview and the role he visualizes for himself.
The article was worth reading. I didn't realize until reading it just how bold the handwriting on the wall really was. Lot's and lot's of hints there, but then there is this: Magic met with Jeannie, Joey, and Jesse before this was decided. Jim was not invited to that little get together. He likely didn't even know they were meeting and he for sure didn't know Magic was being brought on board until it was already a done deal. Maybe Jim can restart his jockey career, or learn how to tend bar from Chaz...
That's what his old man did. Dr. Buss had West and Riley who were really good talent evaluators. I'm not sure if Johnson has the same ability but he has some cache given his iconic status. Now I assume it's Kupchak (granted he stays on), Johnson AND Walton.
