Lakers Fire GM Mitch Kupchak, Name Magic Johnson President Of Basketball Operations
NBA- Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss announced today that the team has named Earvin “Magic” Johnson as President of Basketball Operations. In addition, General Manager Mitch Kupchak has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately. Furthermore, Jim Buss will no longer hold his role as Lakers Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.
“Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” Jeanie Buss said. “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. Our search for a new General Manager to work with Earvin and Coach Luke Walton is well underway and we hope to announce a new General Manager in short order. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new General Manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.”
Is this what those emoji eyes were for, Isaiah Thomas? Who is your source inside the Lakers front office?
No but seriously, obviously this is a pretty big story out of L.A. One of the NBA’s premier franchises changing GMs is a big story. Jeanie Buss going full blown Michael Corleone and settling all family business in one fell swoop about 48 hours before the trade deadline is in a word, yuge. If only James Dolan had graced the world with a child that had the basketball acumen of Jeanie, Madison Square Garden would actually have a future.
However the real news is that Earvin “Magic” Johnson is now a major part of the Lakers and we are all better for it. Because unless you are a diehardddd Celtics fan or a giant dickhead, you have to love Magic Johnson. He’s like a very large, extra lovable, always smiling, HIV-positive puppy. I mean look at this picture and try not to smile.
You can’t.
Obviously being in the front office may be new for Magic, but as we’ve learned through his Twitter, he has no shortage of basketball knowledge or enthusiasm!
Magic will ensure that no stone goes unturned in free agency.
Knows the value of a high draft pick.
Which players are MVP material.
The type of players coaches want to coach.
Which stats the fans care about, even if they were sometimes tweeted out hours or a day later when Magic probably read the paper.
And most importantly, can scout the contenders in the Western Conference.
Plus Magic’s not just a one trick pony. Dude clearly knows his way around the diamond and the gridiron.
Pay no mind to these tweets however, Lakers fans.
As for Kupchak, I will remember partially as the guy that built great championship teams in L.A. and partially as the guy Kobe chewed up and spit out that one time.
And if Jeanie wants to hire someone for the GM role with a great eye for talent, who better than the coach that helped win the last 5 rings for the Lakers? I know a guy that could get a bus pass and be in L.A. in 41 hours or so.
Don’t do it for me, for you, or for the Lakers, Jeanie. Do it for The Notebook ending as you jump into Phil’s arms while Magic live tweets this reunion with a billion exclamation points.