In case you wanted more proof of the total incompetence of Magic Johnson and how much his inability to do his job affected the outcome of this season, the newest Bill Oram article should provide yet another example.
According to Oram, the Lakers coaching staff wanted Johnson to re-sign forward Julius Randle and center Brook Lopez, both of whom went on to successful seasons in New Orleans and Milwaukee respectively.
While Buss has been an ardent backer of Walton, she has also empowered Johnson, who has been less resolute in his support. His efforts have all worked against his coach rather than with him. After delivering James in July, Johnson ignored the pleas of the coaching staff that he retain Brook Lopez and Julius Randle. Instead, he signed controversial and limited journeymen JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson.
Obviously, the best way to build a team is to completely disregard your coaching staff’s wishes to retain some continuity from a relatively successful season and instead sign three players who have never played together and never played with anyone else on the team.
Other than signing LeBron James to a contract he probably would have signed regardless of his presence in LA, Magic Johnson has been laughably bad at his job. Most people who are this incompetent at their jobs would have been fired by now, but Magic has the ability to swing public favor because he is a former Lakers legend.
This news is disappointing to hear and doesn’t bode well for tertiary signings this offseason. We hope that the Lakers front office find a coach that they believe in and want to work with, for the team’s sake and my sanity.
