I like this new open and honest Magic Johnson. The former Lakers great is enjoying life as an owner of the L.A. Dodgers.
Johnson has slowly moved away from being a mainstay in NBA circles — while still tossing an opinion out there from time to time.
During a visit with ESPN’s First Take, Johnson addressed several topics and spent close to an hour on the show. Magic discussed the state of the Lakers and suprisingly admitting that “Jim Buss is not a good owner.” Johnson implied that Buss was just smart enough to go out and surround himself with good basketball people.
“His father was smart enough to understand that, you know what? I can own the team, but I don’t have basketball expertise tomake those decisions, so let me bring Jerry West, one of the best — if not the best — minds in basketball.”
Johnson compared Buss’ ownership style to Knicks owner James Dolan — citing Dolans constant need to interject himself into basketball ideas — when that’s not his strength.
Jackson is likely to catch more heat for making those true statements on First Take.