There is a good reason not to involve Jeanie in basketball decisions. She doesn't have a bleepin clue about it.
Think I saw that post, both didn't speak for 10 years etc? What doesn't make sense then is that they kept Black on while Kobe was the super star of the team and this period would likely fall into the same time when Kobe was looking to jump to the Clips. You'd think we'd be willing to accommodate him then as well.
10 years ago is 2007. Around that time Kobe was pushing for a trade on the radio. Black, being in charge of PR, probably didn't like what Kobe did.
Yeah, it seems like every other post on my Twitter feed is a journalist talking about how much they loved John Black. Got me feeling bad for him, but then I got to thinking and I realized that I actually don't know anything about him or what he does. But he was the PR guy and our public image has took a huge hit over the past few years. Obviously that's largely due to the basketball side of things that he can't control, but he has to bear some responsibility. The journalists probably love him because of the quid pro quo nature of their relationship with him, which is obviously part of the job because you have to placate the people that control the story about you, but I don't know if that necessarily means he was great at every aspect of the job.
So some of the things Magic was saying have me excited and optimistic. Particularly the way he talks about everything being a team decision. I think he knows his limitations and will be willing to consult with Pelinka, Luke, Jeanie, Ryan West, etc. He wants to apply that collaborative work environment that has made his businesses successful to the Lakers. But then when he does speak about other things, I get scared. The way Jeannie and Magic took the time during their interview on Spectrum Sports to emphasize that they don't want to rebuild Showtime but instead want to show that the Lakers can adapt, evolve, and learn to win in every era ... all sounds great on paper. But it almost sounds like a PR message to target a huge concern of the fans. But just saying it isn't enough. I don't trust that they actually know how to build a successful modern basketball team. And then I was kind of blown away by Magic talking about how important it is to know the CBA and that's what he's learning to do right now. The way he said it kind of implied that he thought knowing the CBA is a major component of being a successful front office, and that Mitch/Jim did not do well in that area. Maybe my perception of things is off, but I always assumed that this wasn't the case. I always thought every front office knew the CBA extremely well. Knowing the ins and outs of the CBA doesn't make a front office successful. It's one of the most basic fundamentals that qualifies the front office to even have the job. And in regards to Mitch, he was kind of pressured into a few bad signings but for the most part I think he did a great job at cap management through multiple CBA's.
Wilbon (admittedly a friend of Magic's) said that according to his sources, agents around the league were calling Magic to see if they could get their players to LA. Now he wasn't saying it was the best players or anything, but he was saying the vibe certainly changed and that many agents were not looking to LA in recent years. Wilbon said most agents didn't appreciate the way things went down with certain players in LA recently. I don't know what he was alluding to though. Wilbon also stuck up for Jeanie who he reiterated is well liked around the league. Wilbon said Jim was pretty widely disdained around the league. Lastly Wilbon said it'll be much easier for us to sell with Magic than with Mitch and Jim. When asked what the Lakers can tell prospective free agents who would have to leave 30 million in guaranteed money on the table to come here Wilbon said: you tell the free agent that they'll make 30 million a year off the court in LA compared to any other market. Magic can get Shaq and Kobe on the phone for proof and Magic has the business connections to make sure that money comes to fruition.
I'll believe it when I see it but I do see Magic having the same charisma as our late beloved Dr. Buss
If anything I'd guess he was talking about how we completely ignored or even pushed guys aside and told them to sit back and wait while we pitched to the big name free agents. Bazemore and Ed Davis for example.
Trudell wouldn't speculate on why John Black was was fired, but he said he was close to Mitch. Keyshaun has said that he suspects it IS a leak issue, but not that John Black was already leaking info, but that Magic wants his own guy there. You put your own guy there to know for 100% certainty that he WON'T leak things he hears. Basically, and this is an educated guess not a source, Magic/Jeanie didn't trust John Black to toe the line after Mitch and Jim were booted.
Common sense tells me Kobe's off the court issues and trade demands put a dent in John Black's side. His beef with Howard, Shaq etc etc. Kobe brought the titles and the fans, everything else I imagine was a PR nightmare for John Black. I'm assuming if it's true that they didnt get along, John Black had to do a lot of work because of Kobe's assness.
It's amazing how tidbits of info can get twisted for the sake of clicks. I have a feeling Ben isn't the most accurate guy, but just posting something I found on the topic.
When you clean house, you have to clean all the rooms usually. Luke was new. I am sure if Luke had been here for 3 years he would have been gone too. But Black, Mitch and Jim had been there a long time and need to get all the connects out.
If (big IF) Kobe was the reason Black got fired, over a 10 year old grudge, that's OG right there. My level of respect goes up even more.
I dont think Kobe was the reason he got fired. But I defiantly believe that he didn't get along with Kobe. Only 3 people got along with Kobe in his entire career in LA. Dr Buss, Jerry West and Jeanie Buss. Pretty much the only 3 that matter in that org.
