Former basketball superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson has resigned as president of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA team. This was announced by the Americans at a spontaneously convened press conference. "I was happier when I was not president of the Lakers," said the now 59-year-old. "I want to have fun again."
Johnson had taken over the job in February 2017 and should form the Lakers after several years without playoff participation again to a title candidate. With the signing of LeBron James last summer he seemed to have made an important transfer, but even with the superstar missed the 16-time NBA champion clearly the playoffs. With Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga also two Germans play for the Lakers.
Johnson wants to take care of individual basketball players again
Johnson also said that he had not informed owner Jeanie Buss and General Manager Rob Pelinka of his decision. "I could not bear to tell her, I love her like a sister," he explained. Johnson wants to take care of individual basketball players again in the future.
Magic Johnson is one of the greatest basketball players in history, almost 30 years after his retirement. Together with his great rival Larry Bird (Boston Celtics), he coined the league in the eighties. In 1987, 1989 and 1990 Johnson was voted the most valuable player in the league (MVP), he won with the Lakers a total of five championships and was part of the so-called "Dream Team", which won Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992. In 2002 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Johnson caused a stir when he publicized his HIV disease in 1991. Since then, he has been campaigning for the prevention of immunodeficiency disease. Shortly before Johnson's farewell to the Lakers, German basketball superstar Dirk Nowitzki announced his retirement. Read all about the emotional farewell of the Dallas Mavericks crowd pleaser here.