Kobe, Nick Young respond to Magic Johnson's tanking talk

As far as organizational strategies go, Magic Johnson's heart lies closer to Philadelphia than it does to Los Angeles. 

Reflecting recently on the Lakers' struggles this season, Magic argued the merits of a full-scale bottom-out - like the one the 76ers are currently running - for the chance of getting a generational talent at the top of the draft.

As a player, Magic knew little about losing. He made the playoffs in each of his 13 NBA seasons and was never on a team that won fewer than 53 games. But, as Kobe Bryant pointed out, Magic is now a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and an owner's mentality isn't the same as a player's.  

"He's used to being an owner," Bryant said when asked about Magic's comments. "He's an owner of the Dodgers. He was an owner of the Lakers. That's speaking from an owner's perspective. I think the fans - or hopefully some of them - are probably smart enough to understand his perspective as an owner. I certainly am.

"Magic is one of the most competitive players of all time. He doesn't want to lose. From an owner's perspective, his opinion is to get top picks and to be able to use those as leverage to trade and get a competitive team and so on. From where I'm sitting, I just look at his point of view."

As for himself and the rest of his peers, Kobe said tanking doesn't even enter into the picture. 

"I don't see teams tanking. It doesn't happen," he said. "Maybe there are certain teams in the league - and this is not one of them - where ownership sits up there in their office and they're crossing their fingers quietly and hoping. But the players themselves? Never. Players play. Players play and players try to win every single game. That's just what we do."

Nick Young was a tad more direct, and perhaps less forgiving, than his teammate.

"I'm going to have to tell Magic to stay at Dodgers Stadium for awhile," Young said. "Don't bring that smile around here. I'll do all the smiling for now!"