Magic's participation at summer league

32 · Retired Number Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 73071

I was very impressed with Magic's participation at summer league. It appeared to me that he attended most if not all of the games the Lakers played and he was front and center on the floor watching and rooting them on. He was right there sitting with Rob, Luke and Jesse. He also did some on air interviews too. I don't know how many Presidents would participate at summer league to that degree. It shows me he is 100% committed to this process. The best part was the championship ceremony and when they gave the mvp of the final game to Kuzma the camera panned to Magic and was yelling Kuuuuuuuuuuz. Keep up the good work Magic.
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PHILosophize · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2012 Posts: 10758

But he also could have been setting up meetings with Aaron Brooks and Kendall Marshall!
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KindCrippler2000 · Franchise Player Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 15821

Not a surprise PG tweeted after the game as well. It's all coming together.

laker_guerilla · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 11:12 am Post subject:

I agree and it was great to see Magic's in game reactions; you could see them in the bottom of the frame the whole time. Intense and engaged.

In interviews he needs to remember he's not a TV analyst; he gives away too much info and can be perceived as slighting players ... i.e. failing to mention Clarkson multiple times, talking openly about getting a vet PG (maybe there are others in the FO who don't agree?) and airing that publicly ... he could make better choices.

But he's Magic and he brought us 5 rings! Respect
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AFireInside619 · Franchise Player Joined: 11 Dec 2015 Posts: 11447

The only thing "Tragic" is the lack of respect some Lakers fans have for Magic. I, for one, think he's done an amazing job thus far. He hasn't done anything that I have disagreed with yet. After reading other teams' forums, I have a feeling that many around the NBA are fearful that Magic is back with the Lakers. They hate that we have basketball royalty leading us now. They feel the league will basically cater to Magic just because of who he is. Whether it's gifting us a draft pick or looking the other way when it comes to possible tampering. Many are fearful that his smile will lure free agents (along with the fact that we are a great destination). And many are fearful that his life long history of success will bring the Lakers back from the dead.

And those who say that NBA success doesn't translate to front office success, and use Phil Jackson as an example, they are half right. Yes, NBA success doesn't always translate to front office success. But Phil was only good at one thing. Coaching. He was a terrible, terrible player. Lots of the best coaches spent a lot of time riding the pine. Magic was a champion in college, the NBA, and the Olympics. And as much NBA success he has had, he is arguably a better business man. He didn't have to be, but he did that anyways. And now he's head of the Lakers. Things are looking up Lakers Nation.

RCS926 · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Posts: 16824

I haven't been a fan of Magic's pressers, but I thought he did a good job today at KCP's. TBH, Magic's charisma was much needed given KCP's lack of personality, but I liked what I heard from Magic. Giving props to BI for supporting his SPL teammates was a nice touch.

Stumpy25 · Star Player Joined: 27 Oct 2016 Posts: 1314

ringfinger · Retired Number Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Posts: 29418

It's kind of a double-edged sword. It's nice to see him involved in everything, but he's also going to be involved in everything.

So if he's not doing his job, who is doing his job? Rob?

TheBlackMamba · Star Player Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 9057

The only complaint I've had about Magic is that he was hyping Lonzo up too much without him having played an NBA game yet (and this was also before he earned the respect of his teammates), which was just a bad look and puts more pressure on the kid to perform. Yeah, his dad already pushes him hard and talks him up like crazy, but no one pays Lavar any mind - Magic is actually the team president and should reign it in a bit. But that complaint is quickly becoming a faded memory with the way Lonzo lit it up in the summer league and showed that he may actually be able to live up to all the praise and expectations put on his shoulders.

And it's good that Magic is starting to spread the encouraging words among the other members of the team, talking up BI, Kuz, and some of the vets like Brook, KCP, Jules, and Nance. You don't want to make it sound like this is a one-man team and everyone else is the supporting cast, which would create a culture of resentment in the locker room towards Lonzo (the media already does enough of that (bleep)), so I'm glad he's being more open with his praise of other guys who've earned it.

All in all, it may sound like a cliche, but Magic and Rob's excitement and passion for the players and new direction they're steering the franchise in (as thick as they lay it on at times with the showmanship and cheesiness

) has actually been very refreshing and infectious. You can tell it's making a difference and guys are buying into their program with newfound confidence. It's all been very amazing (and I'll admit surprising) to see as a fan, and I look forward to where they take us from here

Username · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:05 pm Post subject:

Magic has become as successful in business as he is because he clearly has a knack for putting people in the right place to succeed. Do you think he opened up all those restaurants and Starbucks', etc. all by himself? He surrounded himself with the right people - attorneys, accountants, advisors, etc. to make that happen.

It seems he's building an organization here in that same fashion.

Wino · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:05 pm Post subject:

Amazing to me that there are still some people around here who think Magic is messing everything up. From what I have seen, the Lakers are improving on almost EVERY level.

Honestly, I will be amazed if we don't win 40+ games this year.
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CervantesRises · Star Player Joined: 18 Jun 2016 Posts: 3918

If you remember the 1991 press conference and how almost everyone (self-definitely included) was crying when Magic said, 'I know God gave me this disease because he knew I could beat it.' then seeing him dominate the Basketball Ops side of things really comes as no surprise.

I mean think about this...this man beat HI(muthableeping)V...

He's a straight winner in all aspects of life...he's the greatest Laker of all-time...and the coolest thing about him is that the only thing that matters is winning.

There are no accidents...our roster is light-years better than last year...our luck is light-years better than last year...the vibe is light-years better than last year...

And that's why we lovingly call him Magic.
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audioaxes · Franchise Player Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 12573

I would assume a president and GM would be at all of the SPL games. They play a big part in deciding who gets a camp invite and what not so seeing the games in person should be a given.
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Aeneas Hunter · Retired Number Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 31763

venturalakersfan · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:29 pm Post subject:

venturalakersfan · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:31 pm Post subject:

GreekTrojan · Starting Rotation Joined: 10 Jul 2013 Posts: 336

I'm fine with it during summer league but not during the regular season. It just underminess Luke, especially because Luke's not afraid to bench people. Last thing we need is someone in Luke's dog house trying to butter up Magic, especially if its someone like Lonzo or Ingram underperforming.

akk7 · Star Player Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 3013

I tend to like people who have Mitch's personality; Low-key, quiet, mysterious, man of few words, calculating, simply because that's me. Therefore, Magic's brashness, and in your face personality is kind of low-key annoying to me

.

However, I know that most people love a Magic Johnson type personality. People love exuberance and a bubbly personality. It's easy to gravitate toward.

Magic knows how to play the game and he always has everyone on his side. That's important in this business. Even if it may be annoying to me, I totally understand why the majority of people love it and ultimately love him.

akk7 · Star Player Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 3013

GreekTrojan · Starting Rotation Joined: 10 Jul 2013 Posts: 336

ringfinger · Retired Number Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Posts: 29418

pio2u · Retired Number Joined: 26 Dec 2012 Posts: 54624

Username · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:55 pm Post subject:

ringfinger · Retired Number Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Posts: 29418

Username · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:11 pm Post subject: