Magic Johnson‘s time as president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers has come to an end.
The NBA legend made the unexpected announcement during a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the final home Lakers’ game of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers.
“Today, I’m gonna step down as president,” Johnson, 59, revealed, adding that he had not yet told Jeanie Buss, the team’s controlling owner and president, or general manager Rob Pelinka. “It’s the right thing to do, the right move to make.”
“I think that I had more fun when I was able to be the big brother and ambassador to everybody,” he continued. “I wanna go back to having fun, I wanna go back to who I was before taking on this job.”
Despite not telling Buss ahead of time, Johnson said he had no hard feelings for the team’s owner and would have struggled to share the news with her.
“I love as a sister,” he continued. “Her and I have such an amazing relationship and I think that she gave full power to do what I wanted to do … I wanna always preserve our relationship.”
“She doesn’t know I’m standing here because I know I would be crying like a baby in front of her,” he added.
BREAKING: Magic Johnson has stepped down as Lakers' President of Basketball Operations. pic.twitter.com/yrHkguOO02
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Johnson pointed out that he was forced to sacrifice a lot in the title and was tired of being punished by the NBA for speaking to other teams’ players or commenting on basketball matters on social media.
The NBA legend and broadcaster has been investigated for tampering on four separate occasions since assuming the role, many of which stemmed from jokes and interactions with other players, according to ESPN.
“I thought about Dwyane Wade retiring , and I can’t even tweet that out or be there,” Johnson said. “Serena Williams called me a week ago and said, ‘Will you mentor me and be on my advisory board?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to do that.'”
“So when Ben Simmons called and we went through the proper channels and they made me look like the bad guy out of that situation, but I didn’t do anything wrong,” he continued. “I was thinking about all those times, all those guys who want me to mentor them or be a part of their lives, and I can’t even do that. I had more fun on the other side.”
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As the Lakers move towards the future with recently-acquired Lebron James, Johnson said has no regrets about his time with the organization.
He also shared his intentions to now shift his focus to the community and help players develop their basketball skills.
“I’m happy with what we did in two years. I’m not disappointed in anything we did,” he said. “I’m happy about the direction .”
“I’m a free bird, and I can’t be handcuffed,” he said. “This is a good day.”
Johnson first assumed the role as president of basketball operations in Feb. 2017.
He stepped into the position following the organization’s reshaping of its leadership team, with the firing of general manager Mitch Kupchak and relieving Jim Buss of his role as executive vice president of basketball operations.
Going into Tuesday’s game, the Lakers held a 37-44 record on the season. It was a slight improvement from last season when the team finished the year on a 35-47 record. The Lakers have not made the playoffs since 2013.
from PEOPLE.com http://bit.ly/2uUjHz8
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