OKLAHOMA CITY — There he sat on the aisle, halfway up Section 114, maybe 15 rows directly behind the Los Angeles Lakers bench, beside the offspring of the owner who drafted him.
From his perch next to Lakers executives Joey and Jesse Buss, Magic Johnson munched on popcorn Friday and surveyed his young, rebuilding squad play its first game since he ascended from a nebulous advisory position to president of basketball operations in a dramatic in-house bloodletting earlier this week that shook the franchise’s foundation and the NBA landscape.
And the Lakers can feel his presence.
“It’s like you’re starting over and trying to impress,” Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell said after L.A.’s 110-93 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
“Everybody has to look over their shoulders once again. It’s like coming to a new team. You try to impress the GMs and the guys in the front office with your play and off the court, the way you handle yourself. It’s just all different.”
Midway through the second quarter, Johnson joined the in-game broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet, and after preaching patience with repairing a team that has the NBA’s third-worst record and has missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, he headed toward a nearby tunnel.
But star power of his caliber doesn’t visit Oklahoma on just any day, so nearby fans zeroed in with smartphones and snapped away, screaming, “Magic!” He offered his classic smile in return.
“There’s a reason he’s as successful as he is, because he has a way with people,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said before his team fell to 19-40 on the season.
Johnson oozes charisma, not to mention the legendary clout that comes with being one of the most exciting athletes in history — winning five championships, achieving Basketball Hall of Fame status and putting together one of the most successful nonsports résumés of any player ever.
But the task ahead of him is staggering — a yearslong venture, at least — and his lack of front-office experience justifiably gives many pause as to whether he is fully equipped to make the Lakers great again, no matter his other credentials or what he tweets or boasts during national media tours.
Still, Johnson is the first to admit that he is up against a monumental feat, that there will need to be baby steps before giant leaps. On Thursday night, Johnson took several members of the team’s coaching staff and front office to dinner at Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, a few blocks from their downtown Oklahoma City hotel, to lay out his vision and discuss ideas.
“He’s been awesome,” Walton said. “There’s been a lot of really healthy dialogue going on.”
Walton said the Lakers would love to have Johnson around as much as possible, and so far, Johnson has attended practices and even worked with players on individual moves. But Johnson likely won’t attend many road games beyond Friday, which was a statement appearance, given the team’s massive shakeup.
He did tell the players that the door to his office is always open, and Russell said he and his teammates are expected to have one-on-one sessions with Johnson over the next few days.
But from now until their regular-season finale April 12, the Lakers’ goal is twofold, yet should unfold without much effort: to develop their young players and to lose.
With star reserve Lou Williams shipped to the Houston Rockets this week, Russell and Jordan Clarkson will play more, especially in crunch time, as Walton acknowledged.
As for losing, the Lakers won’t have to try much, because they simply aren’t talented or experienced enough to even be competitive most nights, especially in the Western Conference. In other words, no “tanking” is necessary. But all those defeats will come in handy during the NBA draft lottery on May 16, as the Lakers are praying they’ll be able to keep a top-three protected first-round draft pick.
Check out the team site for more game coverage
Check out the team site for more game coverage
The outcome of that crucial draft lottery will help shape the Lakers’ immediate future, though their next 23 games are key for their young core to gain valuable experience and chemistry and to develop what Johnson hopes, as he said on Friday’s broadcast, is an identity.
During that time, it will also be key for Johnson to gain more understanding of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, as well as the ins and outs of running a modern NBA front office.
Yet his presence alone is already changing the atmosphere around the team.
“He’s Magic Johnson,” Lakers guard Nick Young said. “Change is happening. It makes you stay on your toes, stay focused.”
Right now, the Lakers will appreciate every positive step forward, no matter how small, as they know full well it will take many such steps — along with dramatic changes — for them to emerge from the lowest era in franchise history.
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Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Williams has established himself as one of the NFL’s best nose tackles. Baltimore has to decide: Pay him or let him walk. Five moves for the Ravens.
Buffalo Bills: Should the Bills stick with quarterback Tyrod Taylor or start over with someone fresh in the draft or free agency? Five moves for the Bills.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have a clear need for a deep threat at wide receiver. Who makes the most sense for Carolina to target in free agency? Five moves for the Panthers.
Chicago Bears: Chicago has the option of putting the franchise tag on WR Alshon Jeffery. But is he worth $17.5 million for 2017? Five moves for the Bears.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Eifert is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Should the Bengals extend him now or wait to see if he can stay healthy? Five moves for the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns: Which makes more sense for Cleveland: draft a quarterback in the first round or target one in free agency? Five moves for the Browns.
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Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah had only two sacks in 2016. Is now really the time for the Lions to sign the pass-rusher to an extension? Five moves for the Lions.
Green Bay Packers: What should the Packers do about their gaping hole at running back? Do any big names make sense? Five moves for the Packers.
Houston Texans: The Texans need a quarterback and Jimmy Garoppolo could be an option. What would they have to give up to get him? Five moves for the Texans.
Indianapolis Colts: How should the Colts address their massive void at pass-rusher with the free-agent market looking as if it will be thin at the position? Five moves for the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars have the money to give Allen Robinson an extension. What can they expect to pay for the WR? Five moves for the Jaguars.
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Los Angeles Rams: The Rams let CB Janoris Jenkins walk in free agency last year. Can they really afford to let Trumaine Johnson leave too? Five moves for the Rams.
Miami Dolphins: Free-agent-to-be Kenny Stills had nine TDs in 2016. Is that reason enough for the Dolphins to re-sign him? Five moves for the Dolphins.
Minnesota Vikings: How should the Vikings handle Adrian Peterson’s $18 million cap hit, the highest (by far) for a running back? Five moves for the Vikings.
New England Patriots: How much leverage do the Patriots have in Jimmy Garoppolo trade negotiations, and should they move the QB? Five moves for the Patriots.
New Orleans Saints: How can New Orleans fill its void at pass-rusher without breaking the bank in free agency? Five moves for the Saints.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Doug Martin had a disappointing season after getting a hefty contract. Should the Bucs keep him around? Five moves for the Buccaneers.
Tennessee Titans: The Titans are fond of running two-TE sets. Which free agent makes the most sense for them to target? Five moves for the Titans.
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