He’s not Santa, but he’s making his list and checking it twice.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please direct them to the Los Angeles Lakers new team president and the face of the organization, Magic Johnson. The basketball legend went on ESPN Los Angeles and answered a few questions, during the interview he made an interesting comment.
Many of the younger Lakers posse the potential and that spark but for Magic, only one is untouchable. During the interview Johnson spoke about Kobe Bryant, and the obvious LaVar Ball draft talk, but what really sparked interests were the trade talks.
On Thursday to ESPN LA Johnson says, he does not like labeling anyone as “untouchable” but he did point out one young Laker as being close to just that.
Magic made mention of key players in regards to what he’s expecting from various parts of the Lakers’ young core. Johnson and Rob Pelinka have been adamant about developing the young talent and reports suggest that they will not trade anyone for a star like Paul George, opting instead to wait until 2018 when the Indiana Pacers forward is a free agent.
Starting with D’Angelo Russell, Magic expressed his wants for the young player to make smarter choices. Russell can score the ball, but if he steps up can he be a major asset in the leadership role
“D’Angelo, I just want him to make better decisions and also be a better leader, or come into the leadership role, because we know he can score the basketball. Now you have to be a better defender, you have to be a guy who can lead his teammates and do a better job of that. We want him to also, just like all the other players, we want all of them to come back in great shape, world-class physical condition. They’ve all been working out really hard over the summer for next season.”
With the possibility of Paul George joining the Lakers, the young core has to step up and be a strong supporting cast. In the eyes of Magic, Jordan Clarkson needs to start falling into the role of sixth-man and work on his ball handling skills. But the organization thinks Clarkson could be a great defender. Showing extensive knowledge of his growing team, Magic is confident in the progress of the team. Expressing that their are only minor things holding these players back form tapping into their full potential. But one player stands out to Magic, Brandon Ingram.
Magic compares Brandon Ingram, to a younger him.
”We want him to get a little stronger. It’s not about being bigger, it’s just being stronger, so I want him to lift weights more to be strong than to be big. I was a skinny guy myself, but at the same time I got stronger so I could take the contact when I was driving to the basket… Right now when he takes the hit, he’s going out of bounds, or he’s going to floor and he’s not getting a lot of And-1s, so we want this year for him to finish at the rim and get those And-1s.”
Quite the compliment, for the young rookie. Johnson views the young player as ‘untouchable’ saying ”he’s one guy we probably won’t ever think about moving”.
One thing is for sure, the Lakers have a great amount of potiental in these young players. Larry Nance Jr., and Julius Randle are two players the great, Magic Johnson has high hopes for as well.
As we know the good comes with the bad, and with new veterans entering free agency who knows if the young core of the Lakers will still be intact next season.
Flip the page to check out the tweet.