(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
After frustratingly watching from the stands or in a suite at the then-Staples Center, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson jumped at the opportunity to be part of the team’s front office, joining forces with general manager Rob Pelinka.
Although Johnson’s stint in the front office was short-lived, with his most impactful move being the recruitment and signing of superstar LeBron James, he did impact some of the team’s young players before he abruptly submitted his resignation in 2019.
As a result of not being able to see eye-to-eye with Pelinka during their time together running the show in Los Angeles, Johnson decided to walk away and do what he does best: be a businessman and part owner of other franchises like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, and Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC).
Apparently, one of the young players that he motivated and left an impact on before leaving the team was Julius Randle, who ultimately went on to be an All-Star with the New York Knicks.
Randle shared a story about how he saw a different side of Johnson when he became his boss, which made him accountable for being out of shape while playing for the Lakers in a contract year via 7 PM in Brooklyn.
“I saw a different Magic,” Randle said.
“I saw a different Magic.”
Julius Randle on seeing a completely new side of Magic Johnson at Lakers’ Training Camp. New episode drops tomorrow, tap in pic.twitter.com/GbOSqV73Rw
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) June 19, 2024
Clearly, Johnson’s efforts to light a fire under Randle worked, as he eventually left the Lakers but took his game and career to another level away from Los Angeles.
It would be interesting to hear from other players on the Lakers at that time and whether they had a similar experience with the Hall of Famer.
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