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Watch: Other things Magic Johnson said in hour-long interview
Magic Johnson went the scorched-Earth route on Monday while discussing his resignation as president of the Los Angeles Lakers on ESPN's "First Take."
Beyond accusing general manager Rob Pelinka of stabbing him in the back and questioning owner Jeanie Buss's management skills, Johnson offered a few other observations.
Says job forced him to give up movie night
Magic Johnson: “I gave up a lot to take that Laker job. I gave up weekends with my wife. We go out every weekend. And so Friday, I couldn’t go out. Sunday, I couldn’t go take her to the movies anymore.” pic.twitter.com/ne0L2aCW08
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) May 20, 2019
Calls Nick Young 'Shaggy P'
Shaggy P pic.twitter.com/awW2VeM719
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 20, 2019
In explaining his decision to trade D'Angelo Russell in 2017, Johnson alluded to Russell's scandalous recording of then-Lakers teammate Nick Young during the 2015-16 season. But instead of referring to Young by his widely known nickname, "Swaggy P," Magic substituted an H for a W.
Says LeBron will win a title with Lakers
"It's gonna happen ... LeBron gon' win that chip."
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 20, 2019
–@MagicJohnson says @KingJames will win a title with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/qFlxesuyBF
Despite leaving the organization, Johnson believes the Lakers aren't in bad shape with LeBron James leading the way. "He's going to be in that room recruiting (free agents)," Magic said. "The Lakers got to decide, it's gotta be (Buss), LeBron, and (Pelinka), and probably (new head coach Frank Vogel), that's it."
