Magic Johnson dropped a bombshell that reverberated throughout the Los Angeles Lakers organization and sent shockwaves throughout the league. The five-time NBA champion, Hall of Famer and business mogul is stepping down as the president of basketball operations — less than two years after joining the marquee sports franchise.
The timing of the move has been characterized by sports fans and social media users as “horrible” and “shocking.” Magic, as he is most often called, did not even bother to notify his close friend and “sister,” Lakers owner Jeannie Buss, to let her know of his intentions to step down.
Instead, Magic held a tear-eyed impromptu press conference that began when someone asked him a question regarding the Lakers’ offseason.
#MagicJohnson announced before tonight’s game he is stepping down as the #Lakers President of Basketball Operations👀👀 @J_Credible “That may have been the Greatest job quit in history” 🤣 #LIFTOFF pic.twitter.com/NoDBWEIIIm
— Power 106 (@Power106LA) April 10, 2019
Magic’s immediate resignation seems fitting, as the Lakers hobbled toward the end of the season like a wounded gazelle. Even with the addition of superstar LeBron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Lakers finished the season 37-45, which matches their hapless, pathetic finish of 35-47 last season. This also puts the job security of Luke Walton, the third-year coach, in serious jeopardy.
Despite the all-star acquisitions of Magic and LeBron, the Lakers have not made the playoffs since 2013, the longest such stretch of futility and incompetence in franchise history. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst called the Lakers season and tenure under owner Jeannie Buss “a complete disaster.”
Still, as Stephen A. Smith crystallizes on his Twitter post, most fans were left stunned by Magic’s move despite the dumpster fire of a season:
@Lakers fans right now. #magicjohnson #LakersNation pic.twitter.com/3XC1mNFcZJ
— Kameron M. (@KameronM8) April 10, 2019
The memes that came in the immediate aftermath of Magic quitting were hilarious and predictably petty. Here is a small sampling of the responses thus far:
Lebron after he figured out he was setup by #MagicJohnson #Lakers pic.twitter.com/RJ1jeUP1oZ
— Homage Music (@PayHomage13) April 10, 2019
Today:#MagicJohnson when someone asked him about next year. pic.twitter.com/zNmPZLpuol
— Yolonda Gore (@JustWordsIsay2U) April 10, 2019
Lebron: Can’t Wait for This Summer Magic We Gonna do It Big!!#MagicJohnson : pic.twitter.com/zK5jyXnO1r
— Just Your Average Vince Staples Fan (@oftbro2) April 10, 2019
Kobe Bryant showing up to interview for #MagicJohnson job with the #Lakers
pic.twitter.com/sjcDrrmQXY— Gabe Smith (@citizengabe) April 10, 2019
It only means more time for #MagicJohnson and me to hang out pic.twitter.com/hhNSlsLN9k
— Jonathan Solin (@JonnySoul90210) April 10, 2019
#MagicJohnson left in style 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/uZZDmkQmTG
— Dwayne J Peterkin (@DJPFreshKing) April 10, 2019
Accurate lol 😂 #MagicJohnson #Lakers #LebronJames pic.twitter.com/fHYRkK5RV7
— @fbsportsnews (@fbsportsnews) April 10, 2019
What is #MichaelRapaport trying to say to #LeBronJames about #MagicJohnson? He is a #NBA FAN!!!#NBATwitter #MagicJohnson pic.twitter.com/JgwdgXKqTD
— MMA Submission (@MMAsubPodcast) April 10, 2019
Lebron James : I’m Here For The Long Run We Gonna Get Through This Together !! Go #Lakers #MagicJohnson : pic.twitter.com/8WkQsggoLZ
— Just Your Average Vince Staples Fan (@oftbro2) April 10, 2019
