Magic Johnson Discussion

I'll post the full video when I can but Rob just finished his press conference talking about why we made the Russell trade, what stood out to him about the 4 guys we drafted, goals in trades and FA and more.

Very encouraged and confident we know what we are doing with our plans going forward.

 

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...russell-good-los-angeles-lakers-needed-leader

-- Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson didn't mince words when asked about why they traded point guard D'Angelo Russell -- the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft -- to the Brooklyn Nets this week.

"D'Angelo is an excellent player," Johnson said Friday, when the team introduced its top draft pick Lonzo Ball at its practice facility. "He has the talent to be an All-Star. We want to thank him for what he did for us. But what I needed was a leader. I needed somebody also that can make the other players better and also [somebody] that players want to play with."

The Lakers traded Russell and center Timofey Mozgov to the Nets in exchange for Brooklyn center Brook Lopez and the No. 27 overall pick in Thursday's draft.

For the Lakers, the move was essentially a salary dump, as it allowed them to shed Mozgov's hefty salary -- he's entering the second year of a four-year, $64 million deal -- and take on Lopez's expiring contract.

Those moves should give the Lakers close to $60 million in significant cap room next summer -- enough to potentially sign two max-salary players.

Still, it marked a sharp and surprising end to Russell's tenure with the Lakers.

Johnson, however, kept praising the leadership qualities of Ball, whom the Lakers selected No. 2 overall out of UCLA.

"I went to the high school," Johnson said. "I talked to the principal. I talked to, I think, four teachers, they all said at different times, this guy, everybody attracts to this guy. And I said, OK, that's all I needed to hear. He's a leader. He treats people the right way. I said, OK, we've got our man now."

Indiana Pacers superstar Paul George, a Southern California native, has indicated he would like to join the Lakers when he hits free agency in 2018. LeBron James also is among the stars eligible to be a free agent next summer. It's expected that the Lakers will chase both players.

However, the Lakers have struck out on big-name free agents in each of the past four offseasons. Johnson was asked about what will be different next summer, since he's essentially betting on himself to turn their fortunes around.

"Look at my face," Johnson said, smiling. "Do you see that smile? Do you see it? OK, then. I've always bet on myself, right? I'm fine where we are. I'm happy. I'm excited. Lakers fans should be excited. We're back."

Johnson added, "When you have this much cap space, we're going to be major players next summer. The tide has turned. People want to play here again. It's exciting times for the L.A. Lakers. I wouldn't have made that move if I didn't think I could use that money. Enough said."

 

Yeah. I know people like that though that can't wink with one eye. Both close.

 

That's because this is typical of how things get done in the NBA in general in a position like the Lakers. Of course it looks similar, because if you're a losing team, you have to come up through the draft, and hope some of your players gain trade value, or get good enough as a group that you can attract better free agents. There aren't a whole lot of other options to get out of our position.

But it's only since Magic and Rob have been in charge that we actually have players, and really good players in Ball and PG, try to force their way to come to the Lakers again. That is a big deal.

I think people are looking at the Dlo trade as if that changes things, but if you think about it, Rob and Magic are still doing exactly what they said they would. They didn't mortgage the future by offering the #2 or Ingram or Zu for PG. They're letting payers develop for a year, and then going after stars in free agency in 2018.... minus one player they decided didn't fit the vision, so they used that player to improved their position for getting top free agents in 2018.

It's not that "the plan" is bad, it's the outcome that matters. So far they've followed through with what they said was their vision.

 

^Scott had issues with Russell... Walton never really fully bought into him with that "experiment" during the last quarter of the season. Johnson now just being straight up. I thought Russell really had some talent but it sometimes takes more than that.

 

I don't buy the phone angle. Kobe did worse to Shaq (or comparable). If you can play and win, much is forgive.

Bottom line is, DLo didn't make others better and I'm guessing he wasn't the team leader Magic and Luke want in a PG going forward. I still say him at the 2 with Ball as team leader would've been pretty good.

 

He still has tons of potential, but Russell was not a leader.

Do you all remember this:



I know it's just one incident, but do you really think that ever happens to Kobe? I never even saw anything like that when Kobe was a rookie. No, Kobe had too much respect from his teammates. They looked to him and his approval when on the court. Dlo didn't have any of that, or at least, not much of those leadership qualities that makes your teammates look to you for approval when they make a play.

 

Check out the play at the beginning of this clip. Russell is begging Randle to pass it to him. It's just pathetic.

 

I remember Luke instructing Dangelo to go congratulate his teammates. I thought it was odd. But if a coach has to tell you to do that, what is going on behind the scenes?