“It’s very, very important. I mean, it’s the cover of ESPN.com, it’s a big deal, right?! Go ahead and look at it — ESPN.com. Let’s make sure we mention that. It’s right there. Let’s make sure we mention that. ESPN.com. Go read the story.”
After learning about the negative report detailing several current and former Lakers employees who feared the 5-time Lakers legend, Magic responded saying,
“Jeanie knows the truth, because if I had disrespected somebody, she would have called me in her office, and that never happened.”
Magic continues sharing that there are several employees who he has made sure to hold accountable for their actions.
“Now, a lot of Laker employees didn’t like that I held them accountable. That’s what my job was. Did I have to fire some people? Yes, because we had to bring about change and get better.”
As previously reported, Smith and Magic had an explosive interview last week with the Lakers legend opening up on what made him suddenly step away from his front office position. He tells Smith,
The straw that broke the camel’s back was I wanted to fire Luke Walton. I showed her the things he did well and the things he didn’t do well. I said, listen, we got to get a better coach. First day, well, let’s think about it. Second day, OK, you can fire him. Then the next day, no, we should try to work it out.”
He added,
“Other people didn’t bother me, what happened was I wasn’t having fun coming to work anymore, especially when I got to work beside you, knowing that you want my position.”