Amid a trying, underwhelming season, the Los Angeles Lakers have reached a new low — and even franchise legend Magic Johnson is putting them on blast.
The Lakers lost an embarrassing 133-96 to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night for a third straight loss, bringing their record to 21-22 despite expectations of having a championship calibre team.
Johnson, who rarely Tweets anything unfactual, took to his favourite social media platform to make his feelings known.
“After being blown out by the Nuggets 133-96, we as @Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of urgency,” Johnson wrote. “Owner @JeanieBuss, you deserve better.”
After being blown out by the Nuggets 133-96, we as @Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of urgency. Owner @JeanieBuss, you deserve better.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 16, 2022
After losing in the first round last year, the Lakers revamped their roster in the off-season, adding a group of veterans in DeAndre Jordan, Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza, as well as the polarizing Russell Westbrook. As their record shows, the experiment hasn’t worked out.
Westbrook, who’s known for his triple-doubles just as much as his poor shooting and decision-making, tried to pour some water on Magic’s fiery comments after the game.
“I do not have a reaction,” Westbrook told reporters. “Magic’s entitled to his opinion. And he’s not here every day. He’s not around us every day. He’s not aware of what’s going on internally with us and trying to figure things out. But I have no response to that.”
The all-time great Johnson brought five championships to the Lakers in the 1980s and rejoined as president of basketball operations in 2017 before resigning in spectacular fashion just over two years later.
One of Johnson’s biggest moves as an executive was luring LeBron James to Los Angeles.
James has lived up to his expectations and more since joining the Lakers, leading them to an NBA championship in 2020.
Even at 37 years old, James is averaging 28.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists on .519/.361/.767 shooting — which makes the Lakers’ record all that more concerning.
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