Los Angeles Lakers: Luke Walton’s relationship with Magic Johnson has been good!

Does LeBron James trust Luke Walton going forward?

Before Tyson Chandler was bought out of his contract in Phoenix and fell into the laps of the Lakers, the offensive game plan was very different from what we see now. Magic Johnson had a clear plan of the positionless basketball the team was to implement.

"“We’re going to run,” Johnson said. “Whoever gets it, we’re gone. … We’ve got a number of ball handlers, that’s how we built this team. We won’t rely just on LeBron making all the shots for people — in terms of creating the shots for people or himself. We want him also to play off of it, but that’s on Luke. I’m not here to tell you how the offense is going to go because that’s not my job and that’s not Rob’s job. Luke will handle that situation and he’s already been thinking about ways and utilizing not just LeBron but everybody.”"

Part of this plan was that LeBron James was going to play off the ball. It didn’t take long for that plan to be scrapped.

It is important to remember how this team was supposed to be constructed. The plan was for LeBron James to go down to the post and allow the playmakers that were acquired to handle the ball and take some of the responsibility from James.

How long did James go along with this plan? Not long…about say four games?

LeBron James never wanted to play the four or the five and his defense has been taking a nosedive for years. He wants the ball in his hands and he will play the position that is comfortable for him which is the wing.

Then this happened.

Lakers Rumors: LeBron James ignoring calls from the sideline

The Lakers rumors have been in effect since Magic Johnson signed LeBron James in the offseason. Lakers rumors used to be about players. This one's different

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst had this to say about LeBron James’ tendencies.

"The scouts also have noticed that when James is running the point, he rarely looks toward the bench to receive playcalls from coach Luke Walton. Even when he has seen them, the scouts say, he ignores them and runs the play he prefers. Walton has adjusted, and now when James is running the show, Walton will typically just let him call the game. This probably shouldn’t be considered a slight — it’s just James being James."

Again, this story blew up in the media. For the second time this season, Magic Johnson had to make a statement on Lakers matters.

Based on what we have seen offensively since Christmas, we can all safely agree that LeBron James may have known back then what is plainly evident now. Boy, this offensive scheme is not the best in the NBA. In fact, right now it’s the worst. DEAD LAST! 30th in the rankings!

But if you think LeBron James will put up with this for the second half of the season, let me remind you.