LeBron James finally gives candid take on Magic Johnson: 'It was just weird'
When Magic Johnson stunned the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA by stepping down as president of basketball operations, there was one prominent voice we didn’t hear from.
LeBron James.
The center of the Lakers universe did not comment after the ensuing season finale that took place after Johnson’s’ sudden departure. When reporters pursued him, James let his security team interact with the media.
LeBron James didn’t address the media and had his security try to stop reporters who came near him. LeBron on the phone: “Crazy, crazy, crazy.” Yep. pic.twitter.com/PObznj26Rd
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 10, 2019
Aside from the understandable likely desire for a cooling off period on top of the advantage of having a break from media obligations with the end of the season, we found out Saturday why James chose not to speak with the media on April 10.
LeBron saves content for his own show
Why give that content away for free when you can save it for you own exclusive HBO show?
James’ media company “Uninterrupted” tweeted a tease Saturday of himself and teammate Lonzo Ball discussing the stunning departure to preview an upcoming episode of HBO’s “The Shop.”
James on Magic news: ‘Get the f--- out’
James said he found out about the news from his friend and business partner Randy Mims. And he didn’t hold back on his thoughts.
So this is how @KingJames & @ZO2_ found out about Magic stepping down 😲 #TheShopHBO 💈 pic.twitter.com/vdv5vOnqcd
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) May 5, 2019
“I found out from Randy,” James said. “Between my stretching sessions, my right hand comes to me and say, ‘Magic just stepped down.’ I’m like ‘man, get the f--- out my face. You bulls---ing.’
“I go check my phone. I look at it. The s--- happened. Personally for me, I came here to be a part of the Lakers organization, having that conversation with Magic. So it was just weird for him to be like, ‘I’m outta here.’ And not even have no, like, ‘Hey ‘Bron, kiss my ass, I’m gone.’ It wasn’t even that.”
James surprised like everyone else
James’ reaction is candid and human. Like the rest of the NBA world, he too was caught off guard by Johnson’s exit.
And, as expected, he found it bizarre that Johnson didn’t bother to give him a heads up after Magic played a role in recruiting him to L.A. It’s that lack of common courtesy that was perhaps more shocking than the exit itself.
But Magic is Magic. And he apparently didn’t feel like Magic when having to handle the minutiae of Lakers business. And that’s fine.
But he should probably give his people a heads up next time.
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