We’ve all heard the hoopla surrounding Magic Johnson’s opinion on Jim Buss and the hiring of head coach Mike D’Antoni. First, it started with Magic Johnson’s tweet,
“The reason I haven’t tweeted in 2 days is because I’ve been mourning Phil Jackson not being hired as the Lakers head coach,” Johnson tweeted Wednesday morning.
But, it didn’t stop there. After praising his mother for telling him not to open his mouth if he didn’t have anything nice to say, Magic opened his mouth…on prime-time television. He made an appearance on NBA Countdown Wednesday night and had several words to say about Jim Buss.
“I love Dr. (Jerry) Buss. I don’t believe in Jim Buss.”
After practice on Thursday, Kobe Bryant told reporters that he doesn’t necessarily agree with the NBA legend.
“Obviously everybody has an opinion and his (Magic’s) opinion is valued greater than most others. But I can only speak from my perspective and my dealings with Jim and he’s been phenomenal and he’s seemingly made all the right choices…
On ESPN’s NBA Countdown, Johnson laied out two critical errors, in which he blames Jim Buss: the Lakers past two head coaches.
“First, hiring Mike Brown — he wasn’t the right coach. He’s a great coach but not the right coach for the Lakers. And I don’t feel Mike D’Antoni is the right coach for the Lakers. Especially when you have Phil Jackson sitting out there, who wanted to be the Laker coach. Jim Buss decided he didn’t want Phil Jackson, he wanted Mike D’Antoni.”
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Although Kobe did not speak to the hiring of Mike Brown as being a mistake, he did have this to say.
“Going back in time, I’m sure he (Jim Buss) would have called me and consulted me on the Mike Brown hiring, but that is what it is, other than that, he’s been behind some pretty good moves, some pretty good trades for this organization.”
Time will tell. Exactly seven months time. Jim Buss’s success will be measured on what happens come June, and I’ll be looking forward to that episode of NBA Countdown.
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Video: Kobe’s Reaction to Magic Johnson’s Comments
[jwplayer config=”lakersnation_player” file=”http://youtu.be/f-t_v59yFAM” autostart=”false”]Reporter: @SerenaWinters
Video Editor: Michael Hain
