So, Magic Johnson is already making front office decisions for the Lakers. Ok, not really. The NBA and Lakers legend appeared on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday and said, if he was given front office control, Kobe Bryant would be his first call. Magic said:
First call I make if I’m in charge? Kobe Bryant. Because Kobe understands winning. He understands, also, these players. So I would call, ‘What role you want? If you’ve got a day, just give me that day. I’ll take that.’ Whatever time he has, I want him to come and be a part of it.
It’s not uncommon for well run franchises to have its former players and legends as an integral part of the team’s fabric. It helps with continuity. Bridges the past and the future. Particularly if that past was a successful one. Most of Kobe’s tenure were winning seasons and just about all of Magic’s were. But, Magic’s role with the team has yet to be defined. He is jumping the gun just a bit. Plus, shouldn’t he and head coach Luke Walton talk when appropriate about what type of team they want to build?
Luke was asked about Kobe being a part of the Lakers future during media availability. Here is what he said, via Lakers beat writer Mark Medina.
Luke Walton on Magic Johnson advocating for Kobe Bryant becoming more involved in front office pic.twitter.com/8zhVOp6VUx
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 14, 2017
Yes, the Lakers want to win, understood. But what type of team do they want? Spread pick and roll, small ball, motion? That matters when deciding what type of players to go after and who to keep on the current roster.
Whenever Jeanie Buss clarifies the roles, Magic seems sure of what he would do and is confident. He had the following exchange with the First Take crew, courtesy of Lakers beat writer Tania Ganguli:
Magic Johnson said on First Take he wants to be the Lakers Pres. of Basketball Ops. Jim Buss is currently the Lakers EVP of basketball ops. pic.twitter.com/HvC3n32RD5
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) February 14, 2017
I have no doubt the Lakers will be great again, but let’s pump the breaks on all of this until Jeanie determines who is in charge of what.