Kobe: Magic deserves 2nd statue for LeBron signing

Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson vowed to bring big-name free agents to Los Angeles over the next two summers, and delivered on that promise with the signing of LeBron James.

During an appearance on "The Stephen A. Smith Show," Kobe Bryant joked that the addition of James should warrant Johnson getting another statue outside of Staples Center.

"Magic was always my favorite player growing up," Bryant said. "Let's think about this: He wins five championships with the Lakers, right? And then he becomes an owner and wins five more. Then he steps away, he comes back now as president of basketball of operations and is influential in bringing LeBron James to L.A. I mean, they might have to get this dude another statue.

"What Magic is pulling off, man, it's absolutely incredible what he's been able to do and the legacy that he's had for our franchise and he continues to have for our franchise. It's ridiculous, man."

Johnson is one of 10 people who have statues erected outside Staples Center along with Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Chick Hearn, Bob Miller, and Oscar De La Hoya.