Pelinka (r) has spent months getting closer with LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul (l)NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
With the Lakers and coach Luke Walton having "mutually agreed to part ways," the franchise "chewed up and spit out one of their favorite sons, whose steadfast enthusiasm and optimism proved no match for the organizational dysfunction that consumed him," according to Ben Golliver of the WASHINGTON POST. Sources said that Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has "spent months ingratiating himself" with Controlling Owner & CEO Jeanie Buss, the franchise’s "other key decision-makers" and LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul. Pelinka's effort to "position himself for greater influence included questioning" former President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson’s "work habits and Walton’s overall performance, and firing the coach ensured he would be the last man standing in basketball operations" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/14). In L.A., Bill Plaschke wrote the Lakers are a "franchise whose business acumen is still strong, but whose basketball brain has become unhinged." Unless something "drastically changes this summer, the product on the court is going to erode a Lakers brand that has consistently filled the stands." The team's partners "have to wonder what is happening to their investment." Buss needs to "come up with some answers for her partners, or harder questions will be asked" (L.A. TIMES, 4/13).
RIVAL PERSPECTIVE: In Boston, Bob Ryan wrote the Lakers are a "dysfunctional mess of an NBA team." Ryan: "I want the Lakers to get back on their feet. Can’t hate ’em if you have to pity ’em" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/14). Also in Boston, Gary Washburn wrote the Lakers are "officially a mess and they have to figure out the fastest and most efficient way to return to respectability after what has been the roughest week for the organization in more than 25 years." What the Lakers need is an "honest man or woman, not necessarily a former Laker, to take over as president and give the organization legitimacy again" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/14). THE RINGER's Justin Verrier wrote under the header, "This Is Not the Lakers Future That We Were Promised" (THERINGER.com, 4/12).
DISAPPEARING ACT: Celtics fans cheered Larry Bird as he left TD Garden toward the end of Pacers-Celtics Game 1 yesterday, which led to a discussion about Johnson. TNT’s Kevin Harlan said, “I’m not necessarily sure how he is viewed now by Lakers fans after what happened.” TNT’s Reggie Miller: “The Magic Johnson I know never walked away or quit on problems.” Harlan: “That’s the feeling that we all have. The optics were bad” (“Pacers-Celtics,” TNT, 4/14). NBA analyst Richard Jefferson said the Lakers' "biggest step in the right direction" was Johnson stepping down. He said 99.9% of basketball execs "spend 80 hours a week doing just that job," but Johnson "was probably doing 20" because of other commitments. Richardson: "He was working with the Dodgers, he had his own things going on, he had his foundation. He had too many things" ("Get Up," ESPN, 4/15).
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: In Miami, Barry Jackson noted Heat President Pat Riley has "ruled out going back to the Lakers’ front office and said he 'absolutely' will finish his career in Miami." Riley said, "I’m not going to comment on another team’s misfortune while they’re going through some adversity right now. I was there for 20 years and I have a lot of friends still in the organization. I had a good conversation with Magic after he stepped down and I’m sure they’ll work it out. I’m not going to be part of that. That’s not what I want to do" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/14).
