As the CIAA Tournament bucks the trend of
sporting events that abandoned North Carolina due to the State’s insistence on
adhering to the infamous HB2, and brings its crown jewel of conference
competitions to Charlotte this week, and the ACC season kicks off it’s last
fortnight of pretournament competition, my mind frequently lands on basketball.
The game still excites me and more often than not, I still lace ‘em up and play
twice a week, including yesterday, and most likely tomorrow.
Most folks who know anything about my
predilections and proclivities are familiar with my strong, some would say,
exuberantly unyielding support for the Broncos (Fayetteville State University),
the Tar Heels (University of North Carolina), and the Lakers (Los Angeles). In
the light, yesterday marked the close of an era for the Lakers. Many of my
fellow fans believe it’s about time, while others think the change is long
overdue.
Spoiler alert! Not only am I tackling something
other than the recent politically themed topics, I pledge to keep the
conversation brief. I understand not everyone is a sports fan in general, nor a
Lakers fan in particular. I get it. This
is where it’s really cool for me that it is my blog. But I digress.
So the long and short of it is this. Earvin
Johnson, Magic to those who remember him as a player, returned to the franchise
on February 2 to advise the owners on basketball and business. Johnson, who has
long noted his interest in returning to the Lakers, if the opportunity
presented itself, wasted no time in revealing his desires. He told USA Today, shortly after being hired that he wanted, “To be in charge.”
Yesterday, he
was named president of basketball operations, according to a press release
issued by Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ governor. In his new role, Johnson will
terminate his work with ESPN,
where he appeared on the show “NBA Countdown.”
Speaking about
his being reunited with the only NBA team he ever played for, Johnson said:
"It's a dream come true to return to the Lakers as
President of Basketball Operations working closely with Jeanie Buss and the
Buss family. Since 1979, I've been a part of the Laker Nation and I'm
passionate about this organization. I will do everything I can to build a
winning culture on and off the court. We have a great coach in Luke Walton and
good young players. We will work tirelessly to return our Los Angeles Lakers to
NBA champions."
In additional
moves the team fired general manager Mitch Kupchak, and also relieved Buss
brother, Jim, of his duties as executive vice president of basketball
operations. Buss had said he would step down after three or four years if the
Lakers were not performing at a high level. Frankly, the team has toiled in
mediocrity for several years, last reaching the playoffs
in 2013, the year Jerry Buss the team’s Patriarchal owner, died.
In putting yesterday’s actions into
perspective, Jeanie Buss said:
"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. 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."
In addressing
the issue of her brother Jim, Jeanie said:
"He is an owner of this team and we share the same goal:
returning the Lakers to the level of greatness our father demanded. Our fans
deserve no less."
The Lakers are
among the most storied franchises in the history of the NBA. They have won 16
NBA Titles, second to the Boston Celtics, who have won 17. As of yesterday
morning their record was 18-39, next to last in the Western Conference, and
almost certain to miss the playoffs, yet again.
In the 80’s
the Lakers were Magic’s team. Today they have come full circle, except, Earvin
is not Magic. At least not yet, he isn’t. He has never:
·
Run
a team
·
Served
in any personnel role
·
Acted
in the capacity of a scout
·
Been
a GM
·
Led
a team as president
·
Drafted
a player
·
Made
a trade
·
Haggled
with a free-agent
·
Fired
a coach* (No Paul Westhead doesn’t count for the purpose of this discussion)
·
Faced
Laker Nation as team management
Jeanie Buss, the
Lakers, and Laker Nation must hope Magic becomes the second coming of Jerry
West (7 Titles) and not Bill Russell with the Supersonics, or Elgin Baylor with
the Clippers, or Willis Reed with the Nets, of Kevin McHale with the
Timberwolves, or Wes Unseld with the Bullets, or Larry Bird with the Pacers,
Michael Jordan with the Wizards and/or (pre-GM) Hornets. The team’s first-round
pick goes to Philadelphia unless it’s in the top 3, and their 2019 pick could
go to Orlando. Welcome home Earvin.
Almost
certainly, the most compelling reason for turning the reins over to Earvin is
because he is Magic…at least he once was, and Lakers everywhere must hope he
can be again. He does still retain star
power. But can he attract free agents? Will he be the difference-maker that
Kobe Bryant was unable to be at the end of his stellar career, and that coach
Walton will need to help him stock up on guys who can take the team to the next
level, or as its known in Los Angeles, back to the pinnacle to which they are
accustomed? Magic elevated the team; can Earvin do the same? We will see. “Changing of the Guard: Lakers Move On!”
I’m done; holla back!
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