Basketball HOFer Magic Johnson on Thursday returned to the Lakers as an advisor to Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss, but he "did his best to downplay the move as any signal of a change in the organization’s power structure," according to Mark Medina of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Johnson’s "undefined role will have him involved in various aspects of the organization, including business and basketball, player evaluation and development and broader franchise needs." His return "could put" Lakers VP/Basketball Operations Jim Buss in a "precarious position." Johnson has "frequently criticized" Jim Buss, and he joins the Lakers at the end of Buss’ "self-imposed three-year timeline to build the Lakers into Western Conference title contention." But Johnson yesterday said, "Jim is calling the shots. I want him to understand I’m just here to lend advice. I’m not here to be anything but just give you some basketball knowledge" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 2/3). ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne noted Johnson has "held titles with the Lakers in the past," including Honorary VP, which he resigned from in June. He also "previously owned shares in the team, which he sold" to Patrick Soon Shiong in '11. Johnson said that in the past he "turned down every other franchise that offered him a role because he has 'always been a Laker.'" Johnson: "I could have been owner of the Golden State Warriors, and I could have ran the New York Knicks. ... And then I could have been a part of the Detroit Pistons organization, and on and on and on" (ESPN.com, 2/2). In L.A., Tania Ganguli notes last summer the team "removed his name from the Lakers’ staff listings." The Lakers said that the move was "made at Johnson's behest to eliminate any confusion concerning whether he was advising the team" (L.A. TIMES, 2/3).
CHANGE IS IN THE AIR: In L.A., Bill Plaschke writes the move is "designed to begin the process of reshaping the upper reaches of a basketball operation that has been burdened by mistakes and grown stagnant with failure." Since the death of Owner Jerry Buss in '13, the Lakers have been "anything but Magic, but with the arrival of Johnson, that is all about to change." Plaschke: "It’s not that Johnson has the proven expertise to sign or trade or shape an NBA roster. It’s that he has the presence, and now the power, to clear the path for somebody who does." Jeanie Buss "has a Jim Buss problem, and Johnson will fix that" (L.A. TIMES, 2/3). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said, “This is the first step of Jeanie Buss getting rid of Jimmy Buss.” ESPN’s Michael Wilbon: “This is throwing Jimmy Buss out, and this is good.” Wilbon noted Johnson is coming in as someone “who understands the bigger picture." Johnson also has a "passion for the Lakers” (“PTI,” ESPN, 2/2). ESPN’s Stephen Jackson said, “She wants somebody there who cares about the team as much as her dad did. I think her brother is just filling a family role." ESPN's Rachel Nichols: "I would say Jim cares about the team, I just don’t know if his execution has been successful" ("The Jump," ESPN2, 2/2).
PUTTING THINGS BACK TOGETHER: In California, Bill Oram writes the Lakers have "developed a bit of a credibility problem," and Johnson "can help with that." Jeanie Buss "faces big decisions," and Johnson can "assist there, as well." Oram: "Consider the hire a clear shot across the bow at Jim Buss, who has been the subject of much armchair quarterbacking by Johnson." Oram: "You can’t separate Johnson from his past comments, and now you can’t separate Jeanie from them either" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 2/3). USA TODAY's Sam Amick writes anyone who has been "keeping an eye on Staples Center could see some version of this coming, as Jeanie and Magic were recently spotted sitting courtside together in the arena and even had a meeting" (USA TODAY, 2/3).
