It finally happened, Jeanie Buss pulled the plug and fired Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss among others, put Magic Johnson in charge, and Twitter reacted in spades.
Lakers fans everywhere have been waiting for something big to happen, but most thought it would be a trade for Boogie Cousins. When the Boogie to New Orleans trade was announced yesterday, Lakers fans were perplexed, what could Mitch and Jim possibly do before the trade deadline? Well, your boss could insert herself more by firing you and your GM and hire her other brother Magic Johnson put him in charge of everything.
The answer was “absolutely nothing” and they were fired instead. On Mason and Ireland (ESP NLA) this morning, the two were saying that not getting the Boogie deal done did in Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak. Not to mix in politics, but the words “You’re Fired” could not come at a better time.
You can imagine, with a news bomb like this, Twitter reacted, or rather blew up. So we thought it would be fun to bring some of the best immediate reaction tweets from the Twitterverse.
OFFICIAL: @MagicJohnson named President of Basketball Operations in front office restructuring. https://t.co/Zyz3HMbosr 1/2 pic.twitter.com/b8HezpW3Uc
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 21, 2017
GM Mitch Kupchak has been relieved of his duties and Jim Buss will no longer be EVP of Basketball Operations. 2/2
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 21, 2017
.@AminESPN & @SedanoESPN of the #NBA LOCKDOWN Podcast react to @MagicJohnson being named President of Basketball Operations for the @Lakers. pic.twitter.com/8zMftmCBeb
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) February 21, 2017
The way Jeanie Buss has pulled this off is remarkable. Jim is her brother & the Lakers' co-owner. This could have gotten incredibly bloody. pic.twitter.com/1V42SQIiYX
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 21, 2017
Magic Johnson - Lakers president
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) February 21, 2017
Larry Bird - Pacers president
Michael Jordan - Hornets owner pic.twitter.com/CJVGXnhEP7
35 years, 6 months & 16 days: Consecutive time Mitch Kupchak was employed by the Lakers until today (goes back to 8/5/81 as a player)
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 21, 2017
and then there was this:
Here's Danny Ainge heading back to his office after finding out Magic Johnson just got hired and is "wheeling and dealing" pic.twitter.com/83SlGfK67A
— John Karalis 🇬🇷🇺🇦 (@John_Karalis) February 21, 2017
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird can now negotiate trades against/with each other. Wrap your head around that.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 21, 2017
Jeanie Buss not only fired her brother today but apologized to Lakers fans for not doing it sooner. pic.twitter.com/9whQ6xxjrc
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) February 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/DonMacavelli33/status/834136012284641281
https://twitter.com/AdrienneESPN/status/834105073164832770
Jim Buss just woke up and got the news "Oh for Real?"#Lakers
— PetrosAndMoneyShow (@PetrosAndMoney) February 21, 2017
Must be a good move if Celtics broadcasters say it’s bad:
Magic Johnson won't be riding the blue line to Staples while dissing his players on twitter. #lakers #knicks pic.twitter.com/XRHxzh6iPd
— JRSportBrief (@JRSportBrief) February 21, 2017
Must Read: Lakers: Could Magic Johnson be next Jerry West?
It’s Christmas as the Lake Show Life break down every angle of what this and future Lakers Organization moves mean to the purple and gold. Hopefully, we gave you a glimpse into the initial reactions, news, and rumors around what’s coming next! Complete but Tank, get used to it for 25 more games.