Magic Johnson believes Kobe Bryant should talk to Los Angeles Lakers ownership – NBA Update
The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be in a bit of bother at present. Things are not well between the Lakers management and super star icon Kobe Bryant, who headed a players only meeting after the game against Portland Trail Blazers.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson has now waded into the controversy, and his suggestion for Bryant is simple, go to the root of the problem, i.e. Lakers ownership.
Johnson is often considered a Lakers insider and he contends that Bryant shouldn’t try and pick a fight with General Manager Mitch Kupchak, with whom Kobe has exchanged statement via the media.
"We have to remember now, it's not Mitch's situation anymore," Johnson told reporters on Wednesday.
Kobe has been unhappy with the persistent Pau Gasol trade rumours. He considers them harmful for the atmosphere within the team and publicly called on the management to either make a trade or put an end to the rumours.
Kupchak responded with a sharply worded statement, saying he would keep his options open and hinting that he didn’t want the opinion of players for running the franchise. With the players meeting following Mitch’s statement, analysts believe things could soon turn ugly.
Magic Johnson doesn’t want to see that, so he has advised Bryant to confront the real power in the organization, Jim Buss.
"[Kupchak is] not running the team," Johnson said. "Jim Buss is running the team. So, Mitch has to follow the direction of Jim Buss and what he wants. I wouldn't say Mitch is the problem or anything. He's going to do his job.
Jim is the son of Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss and has become increasingly involved in running the club. He is officially a vice president of the Lakers and member of the board, but insider’s suggest that he is now wields the strongest influence in Los Angeles.
Kobe hasn’t really seen eye to eye with the younger Buss in recent times though, which could be the reason behind the lack of communication between the player and the management. Buss is believed to have overruled Kobe’s demands in the past and Johnson therefore believes that the two should settle things soon, and behind closed doors.
As a former icon of the Lakers, Johnson can certainly relate to why Bryant feels the need to ask questions of the management.
"… I think what Kobe really probably wants is just be informed. As a leader, as a future Hall of Famer, as a guy who has brought five championships to the Lakers and the fans of Los Angeles”
It is yet not known whether coach Mike Brown has sided with the player or the management, although he did call for a resolution to the Gasol saga recently.
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