Magic Johnson: Lakers still “the best team in the NBA”
Magic Johnson is a minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers ( about a 5% share), and he thinks the Lakers are going to win another NBA championship this season. Go figure.
Johnson may be the most biased sports analyst on TV, but–as much as I hate to admit it– he makes a valid argument for a Lakers three-peat. (Los Angeles Times, via the Boston Herald)
Magic Johnson, wipe that goofy smile off your oversized head!
“The Lakers still have the most talent,” he said. “They’re the best team in the NBA.”
But that could change in a year of two, Johnson suggested. He said Miami needs at least a season for its new roster to get used to playing together. Mainstays such as Wade, guard Mario Chalmers and forward Udonis Haslem remain, but seven new players have filled out the roster with another spot open.
“You’ve got to remember they’re going to have (eight) new guys,” Johnson said. “They lose this year; Lakers win. I think that team may win two or three in a row” later.
Noticeably absent in Johnson’s interview is any mention of the Boston Celtics. After LeBron and Chris Bosh joined up with Dwyane Wade in Miami, everybody seemed to forget that the Celtics were 6 minutes away from another NBA championship, and are still the reigning Eastern Conference champions.
But no matter, all this chatter does is provide even more motivation to a team that will be as motivated as any team to win a ring. That kind of heartbreak only fuels the fire with guys as competive as Ray, Paulie, KG, and Rondo.
Other highlights of the interview (or lowlights, depending on how you look at it) :
“You can’t win without Derek,” Johnson said. “Derek is the best leader probably in basketball.”
Eww. I just threw up in the back of my mouth. I’m so sick of the effusive praise of Derek Fisher. Ok, I admit, he made a few big shots. But the “best leader” in basketball, a true winner, someone you “can’t win without”? NO. He played with Shaq and Kobe. He’s probably the worst defensive point guard in the league–just ask Speedy Claxton. And I don’t need anybody else to tell me what a great guy he is. I get it. I just don’t care.
“Mitch Kupchak did a fabulous job,” he said, smiling broadly, of the Lakers’ general manager.”When you think about the moves,” Johnson said, “it sets the Lakers up to three-peat — no question about it.”
Unfortunately, Magic is right. The Lakers had a hell of an offseason. Matt Barnes, though he has become overrated due to the phenomenon known as offseason beer goggles, is a solid backup to Kobe Bryant. He’ll provide defense, energy, and the occasional three-point shot. But Steve Blake is the more important signing. Blake SHOULD usurp Fisher’s role as starting point guard. He’s a a good three-point shooter who will do well in the Triangle Offense, and an even better passer. Not a stud defensively, but he can’t be as bad as Fisher.
Related posts:
Celtics Blog, Featured | Tommy King | July 27, 2010
It’s because of that offseason beer goggles of yours that the Lakers are scaring me now. Any chance that Magic was wearing those when he made those comments?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Are you kidding me?! Magic has offseason Beer goggles about the Lakers in April let alone during this interview.
The guy is one of the eternal Laker worshippers. If Kobe broke his leg, Gasoft tore his ACL, PCL and MCL and Bynum was killed in a car crash, he’d still say LA was going to three-peat. The only one who’s worse is MIchael Cooper. That guy makes me gag. He said LA would win in 5 games in 2008 AFTER they lost game 1. LA apologists. LOSERS! LOL!
Let everyone pump up LA and MIA all they want. The C’s can change the whole equation with a trade for Rudy and Priz. That right there puts them on top of the EC right there because they will have, by far, the best bench in the league.
Any situation thta nets them a scorer and rebounder in whatever way they get it (trade or FA) will leave them the favorite, whether people want to believe it or not.
Also, MIA may or may not take a year to gel. Magic knows that and that is what he is HOPING. The C’s did the same thing and won in the first year.
They had PP, Rondo, TA, Perkins and I think Powe. That was about all that was left after the trades. Ray and Davis came in the same trade, KG on his own, Posey, Scal, House, PJ Brown, and Cassel all signed I think.
Let Magic have his pipe dream. It won’t stop the C’s shoving their sweet revenge down LA’s throat!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
LA got a little better, so far the Celts have stayed the same. But they have a move or two left up their sleeves. By the time it’s all said and done, the Celtics will have a deep and vicious squad.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
They definitely got better. But Barnes is their only real improvement. Blake isn’t great, Fisher will be another year older, and one of these years Kobe’s going to start showing signs of age. I ain’t scurred.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
What else is he going to say. He’s a homer. Forget Pryz and get Shaq, sign T-Mac and trade for Rudy (without Sheed’s contract) and then ask Magic who’s got the best TEAM. Go Cs…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0