Magic Johnson: Spurs will win 2006 le by Mike Monroe

[Mavs<Spurs]

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Mike Monroe: Johnson: Spurs will have magic formula again
Web Posted: 09/11/2005 12:00 AM CDT


San Antonio Express-News

He was sitting in a tiny locker room at Greehey Arena on the St. Mary's campus, surrounded by temporary San Antonians from Lackland AFB, but Magic Johnson's answer would have been the same had he been sitting at center court at the Staples Center.

The Spurs, Johnson said, are going to win the 2006 NBA le.

"It's over," Johnson said, when asked to assess the Spurs' summer signings of Michael Finley, Nick Van Exel and, to a lesser degree, Fabricio Oberto.

"I've always said the Spurs have one of the great owners and great management teams, R.C. Buford and, of course, (Gregg) Popovich. The team plays basketball the right way. They remind me of the Lakers when we were winning championships back in the 1980s. They just play the game and play to win.

"Nick and Finley will add to that, and I think they're going to win it again. They've added two great role players that can come in off the bench and add firepower."

And what of Johnson's Lakers, who slipped out of the playoffs last season for the first time since 1994? The most recognizable Laker alive believes they will be back in postseason play next spring.

In San Antonio on a goodwill mission with his touring basketball team, Johnson trusts coach Phil Jackson's ability to lead the Lakers back to the playoffs.

"I was a thousand percent, a million percent, in favor of us bringing Phil back," Johnson said after his Magic32 All-Stars defeated a team of airmen from Lackland in a game Friday night. "We want to get back to the playoffs and back in contention for a championship. Phil can help us get there. We may be a year or two away from being a championship team, but I think we can get back in the playoffs this year."

The Lakers struggled last season after blowing up what had been a near-dynasty during the seasons Jackson coached both Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. Blame whomever you want — it was clear owner Jerry Buss pointed, dead-aim, at O'Neal as the culprit who most befouled the championship formula — but the Lakers never frightened anyone after Jackson and O'Neal departed.

Johnson, though, believes they would not have had their streak of consecutive playoff appearances snapped had Bryant not been injured in February. With Jackson's return and a roster tweaked substantially during the offseason, Johnson almost guaranteed a return to the playoffs.

"We would have been in the playoffs last year if Kobe didn't get hurt," said Johnson, the 2002 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who is a part-owner of the Lakers, as well as team vice president. "We were in sixth place when Kobe got hurt in February. So we feel good about making it back. We feel Kwame Brown gives us a power forward now who can do some things."

Brown came to the Lakers in a trade with the Wizards for small forward Caron Butler and guard Chucky Atkins. Butler never found a way to mesh his game with Bryant's. If Brown is able to find a consistent level of play, Lamar Odom can focus on a role at small forward.

"We're probably not ready for San Antonio, and we might not be ready for Phoenix and a couple of other teams," Johnson said. "But you get in there and do what you can do, and I feel good about that."

Johnson also feels good about the Lakers' recent hiring of his former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to be an assistant coach. Abdul-Jabbar has been shut out of coaching in the NBA since his retirement, in large part because of his prickly personality during his playing days.

"I'm very, very happy to see Kareem back in the Lakers' organization," Johnson said. "He deserves it. He's one of the most dominant centers, and the greatest scorer, ever. We're all happy to have him back, and he's happy, because we have some young centers and forwards who can learn from him. If they'll just listen to him and work hard, trust me, they will pick up the game."

Johnson can even see Abdul-Jabbar as an NBA head coach in a few years.

"I couldn't before," Johnson said, "but now I can, because he understands what it takes now and is willing to work his way through the ranks, on up. Now I can see him doing it."



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Probably a lot of you all already read the article that Mike Monroe wrote, but I didn't see it posted. It might have been posted during the last couple of days and I just missed it. However, in case everybody hasn't seen it (Sept 11 posted at 12 a.m., Mike gets Magic's take on who will win the le this coming year's NBA le. According to the article, Magic said, "It's over. " when he was asked to assess the Spur's signings of Finley, Van Excel and to a lesser extent Oberto.

He won five les right (someone correct me if I'm wrong on the number). He knows what it takes to win and he certainly knows basketball. He and Barkley were pretty darn consistent in picking the Spurs as the best team in basketball and the team that would win it all. Barkley would repeatedly say, The... can't beat the Spurs. The Spurs are the best team in the NBA. "
I don't think he ever wavered. Regardless of his funny, sometimes obnoxious and always controversial ways, I always knew that Barkley has some good sense about basketball. Magic and Barkley are two of my favorite commentators (probably my two favorites).

What do you all think about his prediction?

Also, when the espn commentators turn too biased against the Spurs, anyone else watch the game on mute and listen to Bill Schoening?'s radio broadcast of the game? In fact, the only time I don't do that is if it is on Fox Southwest and Sean is commentating on the game.

The only other commentator I really like is Doug Collins because although Hubie Brown (as good as he is) can sometimes seem like he is a little biased towards the Pistons.

What are your opinions?

[ObiwanGinobili]

Well of course I absolutely agree with Magic.. how could I not? I'm a Spurs fan!

But actually I've always loved and respected Magic.. the man is da man. His BBall knowledge is immeasurable. IMO you need 4,000 SAS's, 10,000 Waltons, and 3,000 Plashke's to come within spitting distance of Magic Johnson.

Side note: I think it;s great that Karrem is workign for the Lakers now.. I can really appreciate how those old school guys have stuck with thier team & city after retirement. It's the same as how we in SA all love and appreciate Gervin & DROB stickign around. Hopefully someday thier at ude will rub off on the current Fakers. I Liek ot think that Kobe learned a lesson this past season... but only time will tell.

[boutons]

All this early "Spurs will win again 2006" makes me extremely nervous.
Every NBA Champion that has or has not repeated has said repeating is very tough, tougher than winning the first one.

Look at Pistons, with the very same team, lost their repeat le in the last 12 minutes of the 7th game of Finals, 24 -17. They actually lost it during the season, esp early in the season, when Larry was whining about them not putting in the effort, sitting on their laurels or whatever, causing them to lose a chance for Finals HCA which definintely cost them the 05 le.

So when you people excuse the Spurs' ty season play and their give-away losses next season with "it's only one game", remember the 04/05 Pistons. EVERY season game counts.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Dude is jinxing us

[HB22inSA]

It's over

But we all knew that already, now didn't we?

[MaNuMaNiAc]

hmm... isn't he just saying what everybody else has been saying for quite a while now?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

"We were in sixth place when Kobe got hurt in February. So we feel good about making it back. We feel Kwame Brown gives us a power forward now who can do some things."

Normally Magic is pretty astute at basketball matters, but I have to question the wisdom of anyone who thinks Kwame Brown is the missing piece.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Normally Magic is pretty astute at basketball matters, but I have to question the wisdom of anyone who thinks Kwame Brown is the missing piece.

It;s his team man.. he has to keep up the positive energy.

[Dex]

It;s his team man.. he has to keep up the positive energy.

Exactamo.

When we picked up Hedo and Trillion Carter before 03-04, you never heard Pop and RC going, "Yeah, this was the best we could do. We're screwed"

[T Park]

he has to keep up the positive energy

there is that, and then there is just blind lieing.

Wich is this....


Tragic, your an owner, go away please.

[manustarting2gd]

All this early talk of another ring is just late national recognition "our" awesome franchise here in San Antonio. Late ass Props. We've known it, now its time for our squad to show and prove this season. With the additions of Fin and Nicholas Van X, our team just grew some nasty ass fangs. We aint nothing to be ed with this season and EVERYBODY knows it and is scrambling to contend. The most shocking part of the story was his comparison of our Spurs organization/squad to the "Showtime" Lakers???

Nah playa, were gonna run off about 5 in a row on that ass. We're the old methodical Celtics of NOW. . I haven't seen a better run organization and team from top to bottom. Proof is all of Pop's assistants getting promoted in other franchises. No bull taken when you play for S.A., from coaches to fans.

[jermaine7fan]

How many les do you all think you could realistically string together? I just read 5 I believe. I think you could do at least two more... but you have an older team... do you really think you could win 4 more straight... with the veteran team you have?

P.S.- I hope this question does not seem negative... I don't mean it that way... I am just curious what you all think.

[sprrs]

Exactamo.

When we picked up Hedo and Trillion Carter before 03-04, you never heard Pop and RC going, "Yeah, this was the best we could do. We're screwed"

Ditto, Magic's a little biased towards the Lakers, and you can't blame him, most f here would probably be the same way. Just like Sean Elliott is a little biased towards the Spurs.

[z0sa]

Thing is I think people here at a little biased against the Lakers. The Lakers have a legitimate MVP candidate in Kobe, its just can they be winners? I think the Lakers lose 4-1 at 8th seed come playoff time... to the Spurs

[TOP-CHERRY]

How many les do you all think you could realistically string together? I just read 5 I believe. I think you could do at least two more... but you have an older team... do you really think you could win 4 more straight... with the veteran team you have?

P.S.- I hope this question does not seem negative... I don't mean it that way... I am just curious what you all think.

As long as Tim lasts as being Tim... That's how much.

So my answer is: I don't know.



My guess would be 3 more. Maybe even 4, as long as Pop keeps adding talent.

[jermaine7fan]

Thing is I think people here at a little biased against the Lakers. The Lakers have a legitimate MVP candidate in Kobe, its just can they be winners? I think the Lakers lose 4-1 at 8th seed come playoff time... to the Spurs

I'm a Pacer fan so I am not Lakers biased... my prediction for them... no playoffs again.

[exstatic]

How many les do you all think you could realistically string together? I just read 5 I believe. I think you could do at least two more... but you have an older team... do you really think you could win 4 more straight... with the veteran team you have?

P.S.- I hope this question does not seem negative... I don't mean it that way... I am just curious what you all think.

With Tim, Tony, and Manu all under 30, and all under contract thru 2010, it's not out of the realm to think 3 more les. The only oldsters are on the bench, other than Bowen. We also still have players stashed in Europe.

[mookie2001]

i like how its mostly about the Lakers

[Aunt Ester]

2006 NBA champs? way to go out on a limb there ..............

[jermaine7fan]

Didn't Magic pick Detroit to win it last year? JK... this is a no brainer on who should win! Spurs.

[z0sa]

I'm a Pacer fan so I am not Lakers biased... my prediction for them... no playoffs again.

Even with Phil Jackson back? I really just can't imagine any team coached by Phil Jackson not making the playoffs. Maybe even the Hawks.

[jermaine7fan]

Even with Phil Jackson back? I really just can't imagine any team coached by Phil Jackson not making the playoffs. Maybe even the Hawks.

Phil needs 2+ superstars to do anything... they do not have that anymore... they have Kobe... but I don't see Kwame or Odom pulling of the role of "other superstar" for Phil... I think Phil has been somewhat overrated... when was the last time he coached a roster as crappy as this one? He will prove whether he deserves the le of best coach ever or not when he takes this team through this year. I just think Phil has been put into better situations than any other coach... not that he is as great as 9 les would seem to say. Oh... and the Lakers are jam packed with mediocre big men... but they have the weakest overall backcourt in the NBA... aside from Kobe... OK... they could make the playoffs with Phil... but they may not either... I like the Clippers chances at doing anything better than the Lakers chances.

[yeahone]

Ditto, Magic's a little biased towards the Lakers, and you can't blame him, most f here would probably be the same way. Just like Sean Elliott is a little biased towards the Spurs.

well obviously he would be baised to wards his organization i dont think you would hear one of the spurs managers being pessimsit..

[FromWayDowntown]

So when you people excuse the Spurs' ty season play and their give-away losses next season with "it's only one game", remember the 04/05 Pistons. EVERY season game counts.

Actually, I'll remember the 2004-05 Spurs.

You spent the entire season telling us that the Spurs giving away games during last season was going to come back to haunt them. We told you that you were overreacting.

I wonder who won that debate?

[Dex]

Actually, I'll remember the 2004-05 Spurs.

You spent the entire season telling us that the Spurs giving away games during last season was going to come back to haunt them. We told you that you were overreacting.

I wonder who won that debate?

But we gave up home-court advantage to the Suns!

....and then we got 3 of our 4 wins on their floor.....

........yeah, i don't really know where I'm going with this.