Lakers Co-Owner Praises Vogel, Talks Magic Johnson Exit

Los Angeles Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss has given general manager Rob Pelinka a glowing endorsement in her first interview following the sudden departure of Magic Johnson, who stepped down from his position as the team’s president of basketball operations. Buss assured fans that despite the team undergoing changes they are on the right path and will not stop until they get back to the top.

Johnson stepped down from his position in April without much warning to the management. He initially claimed that he lacked the freedom to make important decisions while also accusing Pelinka of backstabbing him.

It led to the Lakers being viewed as an organization in turmoil, especially after their first two choices to fill the vacant head coach position – Monty Williams and Tyronn Lue – turned them down. Pelinka has since gone on to hire Frank Vogel to replace Luke Walton while they also won the race for Anthony Davis, who will join LeBron James in purple and gold next season.

Pelinka is viewed as an unpopular person within the NBA and many believe he is not capable of leading the Lakers front office. However, Buss is certain that Pelinka is the right man to lead the franchise and she is certain they are on the “right path."

"I’ve always had confidence in Rob, whatever the speculation is out there,” Buss said during an interview on the red carpet at the NBA Awards on Monday, as quoted on the LA Times. “We don’t need outside media to validate the things that we do. I’m very happy and I think we’re on the right path.”

“I have 100% confidence in him in running his basketball operations,” Buss added. “He’s brought us a great new head coach in Frank Vogel, whose teams have had a lot of success in the playoffs and who have played consistently ranking high in defense, which means not only does he emphasize defense but the players buy into his defensive schemes.”

Buss also addressed Johnson’s sudden departure saying it was surprising but made it clear that they have moved on from his departure and are looking toward rebuilding ahead of next season. Pelinka along with James and Davis will be expected to end the Lakers’ six-year hiatus from the post-season playoffs.

"It was a surprise when Magic turned in his resignation. I didn't see that coming," Buss said. "But everything else has been pretty much like as any organization moves forward and makes changes going into a new season. As much as has been speculated as what the Lakers are doing, to me we're in a really good place and we're following our path and our plan going into the next season."