Magic Johnson says Heat has inspired Lakers

[duncan228]

Magic Johnson says Heat has inspired Lakers
Hall of Famer likes what he sees and says Lakers will get better when Andrew Bynum returns.
By Mike Bresnahan
LA Times

Magic Johnson knows why the Lakers are off to an 8-0 start.

"Thanks to Miami," the Lakers legend said, smiling in a corridor underneath Staples Center on Tuesday.

Johnson said owner Jerry Buss decided to spend money this off-season when it became apparent the Miami Heat would try to become a power team by adding LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

"I don't think the mind-set would have been the same if Miami hadn't done what it did, because what Miami did sparked everybody," said Johnson, a Lakers vice president who just sold his share of the team ownership. "It sparked Dr. Buss, because, remember, he was going to cut back but he decided to spend the money, so give him a lot of credit, and then it just trickled all the way down. I think it sparked Phil [Jackson] too, and especially the best player in the world. Kobe [Bryant] has now got everybody else on the same page."

The Lakers were debating whether to spend their mid-level exception of $5.8 million for this season when free agency began July 1. The answer became obvious, quickly handed down by Buss.

The Lakers signed Steve Blake, Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff, a veteran nucleus that stabilized their bench.

Johnson likes what he sees, but is this team as good as the Bryant- Shaquille O'Neal team that won three les last decade or even the Showtime teams that Johnson helped lead to five les in the 1980s?

"When [Andrew] Bynum comes back, they can be just as good as all those teams," Johnson said. "The bench is outstanding. When you think about those teams, the bench was also great. I think that's what they have here.

"They have an incredible staring five once Bynum is healthy, and when Lamar [Odom] moves back to the bench, oh my goodness. Lamar should win sixth man of the year. This guy is playing just unbelievable right now. If Bynum waits to come back later, Lamar can be on the All-Star team. He's playing that great."

And, of course, there's the Bryant factor.

"I think he wants to tie Michael [Jordan], but also too, he wants to beat Miami," Johnson said. "Kobe is Kobe … the best in the league. This team is just poised and I think they're going to do something really special this year."

[Giuseppe]

228, with the goods, per usual. An adorable bundle in her own right.

~

Earvin Magic Johnson

[DeadlyDynasty]

AIDS inspired me not to get it.

[crc21209]

Magic Johnson will always have something positive to say about the Lakers...dude never, ever says one negative thing about them.

[Giuseppe]

That's not true, Crc. Prior to our triumph in both the last two Finals he was very objective & critical of our faults throughout the ordeals.

Immediately afterward, he did indeed switch "chairs" and in both instances delivered a blistering diatribe that made the eyes well & the hearts skip a beat of all my Lakers Brothers.

[LkrFan]

Magic Johnson will always have something positive to say about the Lakers...dude never, ever says one negative thing about them.

Magic, like millions of NBA fans, was a Shaq guy. If he had his way Dr. Buss would have traded Kobe instead of Shaq. He has been very critical of the Lakers. Many Laker fans, like myself who grew up damn near worshipping him, became PO'd with some of the crap he spewed on the Lakers since Shaq left.

3 Finals appearances and 2 championships after the Shaq trade it is clear that Dr. Buss retained the right superstar.

[ducks]

so far the heat will not be in the finals

[Killakobe81]

Magic, like millions of NBA fans, was a Shaq guy. If he had his way Dr. Buss would have traded Kobe instead of Shaq. He has been very critical of the Lakers. Many Laker fans, like myself who grew up damn near worshipping him, became PO'd with some of the crap he spewed on the Lakers since Shaq left.

3 Finals appearances and 2 championships after the Shaq trade it is clear that Dr. Buss retained the right superstar.

amen brother ...
I didnt necessarily hold it gainst him because I did grow up worshiping Magic, but to say he never calls out the Lakers is pretty ignorant ...
As noted he has blasted Kobe, and he blasted both Shaq and Kobe when they were bickering like school-girls ...

[Koolaid_Man]

Magic, like millions of NBA fans, was a Shaq guy. If he had his way Dr. Buss would have traded Kobe instead of Shaq. He has been very critical of the Lakers. Many Laker fans, like myself who grew up damn near worshipping him, became PO'd with some of the crap he spewed on the Lakers since Shaq left.

3 Finals appearances and 2 championships after the Shaq trade it is clear that Dr. Buss retained the right superstar.

spot on...Magic don't get it...there's no way those gots in Miami can inspire us...We reached the pinnacle. It's business as usual for Dr. Buss...kicking ass and taking names. Magic is all over the place these days...popping off bout this and that...saying Buns is da man and then eating crow after Kobe forced him too...but he's slowly giving Kobe his due...it's hard to pass that torch when you been da man for so long...so no surprise he was in Shaq's corner...he saw Kobe coming for his Laker GOAT status as well. He has no choice now but to give it up...

But at the end of the day like PAC said..."We might fight amongst ourselves but I promise you this we'll burn this down get us pissed. - 2 PAC "To Live and Die In LA"...