Los Angeles Lakers: Magic Johnson does not owe LeBron James an explanation on exit
By Ronald Agers
Did he call Dan Gilbert and tell him that he was going to Miami or did he find out on TV?
Now, every sports media outlet is discussing the same narrative about did Magic Johnson owe LeBron James a heads up before he stepped down.
The reports say that Magic Johnson met with LeBron James, Rich Paul and Rob Pelinka over the previous weekend and had said nothing about quitting. LeBron had something to say during the show about the execution of what Magic Johnson’s career moves.
Boy does he have a short memory.
Magic Johnson had an impromptu press conference. LeBron James had an ESPN special! He had an entire show that ran on for 30 minutes that ended with his decision to go to Miami. He had the Heat, the Cavaliers, Chicago, New York and even the New Jersey Nets waiting to hear his decision (I know the Nets right?).
To this day, up until this disastrous season with the Lakers, this is considered by many the only misstep of LeBron’s career. The hype leading up to the event set a trend of the hoopla that is surrounding so many potential free agents this summer.
That and the apparent need to build up super teams that have been the blueprint of LeBron James’ constructed teams for eight straight years before coming to Los Angeles.
No one knew the possible effects of that one event and how it would affect NBA history. Recently, LeBron and his management team produced a documentary (notice the trend here?) looking back at that event.
Four years in Miami, two titles, then an embarrassing beatdown NBA Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He left, right?