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Thursday 11 april 2019
Magic Johnson

abruptly resigns as

Lakers’ president

By GREG BEACHAM Johnson didn’t directly tie
AP Sports Writer his decision to the future of
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mag- Luke Walton, but the third-
ic Johnson abruptly quit year coach was widely
as the Los Angeles Lakers’ expected to be fired by
president of basketball op- Johnson. Without using
erations Tuesday night, cit- names, Johnson repeat-
ing his desire to return to edly mentioned Buss’ af-
the simpler life he enjoyed finity for Walton, who was
as a wealthy businessman in place before Johnson
and beloved former player got his job in February 2017,
before taking charge of this and Johnson’s desire not to
tempestuous franchise just cause upheaval between
over two years ago. the owner and her cho- Magic Johnson speaks to reporters prior to an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles
Johnson didn’t tell owner sen coach. “(On Wednes- Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, in Los Angeles.
Jeanie Buss or general man- day) I would have to affect Associated Press
ager Rob Pelinka about his somebody’s livelihood and ecutive parking area at executive. ... He will always “I thought about Dwyane
shocking decision before their life,” Johnson said. Staples Center in hopes of be not only a Lakers icon, Wade retiring (Wednes-
he announced it in front of “And I thought about it and seeing her. Buss tweeted but our family. As we be- day), and I can’t even
reporters about 90 minutes I said, ‘That’s not fun for me. her reaction at halftime. gin the process of moving tweet that out or be there,”
before the final game of That’s not who I am.’ And “Earvin, I loved working forward, we will work in a Johnson said. “Serena Wil-
the Lakers’ sixth consecu- then I don’t want to put her side by side with you,” Buss measured and methodical liams called me a week
tive losing season. in the middle of us, even wrote. “You’ve brought us fashion to make the right ago and said, ‘Will you
Los Angeles, which is miss- though she said, ‘Hey, you a long way. We will con- moves for the future of our mentor me and be on my
ing the NBA playoffs yet can do what you want to tinue the journey. We love organization.” advisory board?’ And I
again despite the offsea- do.’ I know she has great you.” Walton, who is 98-148 Johnson’s desire for his old said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to
son addition of LeBron love for him and great love in three seasons, refused to life wasn’t the only reason do that.’ So when Ben Sim-
James, played well after for me.” say much about Johnson’s for his departure. He also mons called and we went
Johnson’s announcement, Johnson and Buss had a announcement after the said he is tired of being in- through the proper chan-
but still lost 104-101 to Port- three-hour meeting Mon- loss to Portland: “I found vestigated or fined by the nels and they made me
land. day about the direction of out when you guys did. It NBA for tampering when he look like the bad guy out
“I want to go back to hav- the 16-time NBA champion was 80 minutes before the comments on basketball of that situation, but I didn’t
ing fun,” Johnson said, Lakers, who haven’t made game ... and I haven’t had on Twitter or even speaks do anything wrong ... I was
fighting off tears. “I want to the postseason since 2013. any time to really process to another organization’s thinking about all those
go back to being who I was Magic claimed he didn’t it.” Clearly blindsided by player. Johnson, a longtime times, all those guys who
before taking on this job. finalize his decision until Johnson’s announcement, broadcaster and respect- want me to mentor them
We’re halfway there with Tuesday morning. the Lakers also issued a ed basketball figure before or be a part of their lives,
LeBron coming (last sum- “Somebody is going to team statement at half- moving into the front of- and I can’t even do that. I
mer). I think this summer, have to tell my boss, be- time. fice, has been investigated had more fun on the other
with that other star coming cause I know she’s going to “There is no greater Los four times for tampering side.”
in, whoever is going to bring be sick,” Johnson said. “But Angeles Laker than Earvin after everything from a jok- Johnson, who will turn 60 in
him in, I think this team is re- I knew I couldn’t face her Johnson,” it said. “We are ing comment about Paul August, also has many thriv-
ally going to be in position face-to-face and tell her.” deeply grateful to Magic George on Jimmy Kimmel’s ing business interests along
to contend for a champi- Buss didn’t attend the Lak- for all that he has done for talk show to his response to with ownership stakes in the
onship with the growth of ers’ season finale, although our franchise as a player, an email sent to him by Phil- Los Angeles Dodgers and
the young players.” Johnson waited by the ex- an ambassador and an adelphia’s Ben Simmons. Los Angeles FC.q

LeBron, Carmelo, Chris Paul

courtside for Wade’s last game

NEW YORK (AP) — Dwyane Wade has some superstar fans on hand for his final NBA
game.
LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony were all sitting courtside in Brooklyn on
Wednesday night to watch Miami’s game against the Nets.
The four players are close friends and former teammates on the U.S. Olympic team.
Wade went over to the corner where they were sitting and hugged each before start-
ing his final game before retirement.
James told Fox Sports Sun that it was important for them to be there because their
friendship goes beyond basketball.
“CP played last night, we had our last regular-season game last night and Melo’s right
here in New York so we kind of made the plan, made the decision to come up here,” LeBron James, right, watches as Miami Heat guard Dwyane
James said. “Listen, we couldn’t miss D-Wade’s last game. This is the last time he’s going Wade (3) embraces Chris Paul at the Heat’s NBA basketball
to be on an NBA floor wearing that Miami Heat uniform, that No. 3, so we’re happy to game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, April 10, 2019,
be here to support.”q in New York. Associated Press