This is so good to read. The fact that he just calls them out and disses them nationally. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2004/news/story?id=1820796 EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Magic Johnson doesn't like what he sees from the Los Angeles Lakers, and he decided to speak up about it Saturday. "I think the Lakers had a mind-set that was disrespectful to the Pistons. They thought it was going to be easy. That is not the case," Johnson said. "Unless they come out and play very hard, with the same level of intensity as the Pistons, this series will be over." Johnson, a vice president and part-owner of the Lakers, was not displaying his trademark grin as he exited The Palace on Thursday night following the Lakers' 20-point loss in Game 3. At a news conference to promote his basketball camp, Johnson heavily criticized the Lakers. "I am angry. You have to compete. And we're not competing," he said. "You can just see the Lakers' frustration. No one is welcoming anyone to the bench. Guys are sitting there, wandering off into the crowd, defeated. We've got to get that look off our faces and play basketball the way it's supposed to be played. If not, the series won't get back to Los Angeles." The series resumes Sunday night with the Detroit Pistons leading the best-of-seven series 2-1. "I have eight rings and I want nine," Johnson said. "My anger is that we haven't competed in this series. I don't know what's going on. I don't know what the mind-set is. But this is just unacceptable." Johnson also singled out Karl Malone and Gary Payton for criticism. Malone had an altercation with a heckler prior to Game 3. "You don't put your finger in a fan's face. That's unacceptable. Lakers don't do that," Johnson said of Malone, who claimed the heckler spat on him. "I don't care what he said. He has been to two Finals. I've been to nine. Do you think the Celtics fans didn't say things I didn't like? Payton has been outplayed by Detroit's Chauncey Billups. "Gary Payton is 35 years old and isn't the same Gary Payton he was 10 years ago. He has to accept that," Johnson said. "Gary Payton has had a lot of great, wide-open looks and hasn't knocked them down. That doesn't change if you're in the triangle or a 1-4 or what. Wide-open looks are wide-open looks. He shot an airball just the other day, wide-open. Hell, nobody was 10 feet from him. "He got it, caught it, wide-open, airball. You've got to make that shot. You've got to make plays. Gary's problem isn't on offense. It's on defense. Billups is using him up."
sam...why did you go and hafta remind me about that abomination???? now i have to recollect my thoughts.........................................................................man that show blew monkey nuts........NOPE STILL ON THE MAGIC BANDWAGON!!!
Payton had already started a downward slide prior to this season and Malone has exhibited boorish behavior for years. I don't recall Magic speaking up about either of those things earlier this season or in previous years. Would Magic have shown interest & commented on those topics if things didn't look so bleak for the Lakers?
The magic man a hypocrite? lmao I knew there was just something about him that was too smug. Does nobody remember him pushing a ref during his comeback year. Getting suspended right before the playoffs I believe. Pushing a fan is more unacceptable than pushing a ref? Magic with his double standards. Just to keep this straight - I hate Karl Malone with an ungodly and passionate hatred. It's just I dislike Magic too...When everything is good for LA he has a bandwagon grin. When it goes bad, he pins blame on any player possible. He believes the Lakers deserve the trophy every year, they don't deserve s#!t!! Two more games and I'll be a Rockets -- and Pistons fan. (for the very fact that they kept those smug holier than thou Lakers from a ring - God! Malone with no ring would bring me so much joy!)
haha. I love this. I love Magic Johnson too. I can't hate the guy. I mean seriously, look at Magic Johnson and tell me he isn't amazing. The guy has been HIV positive for over ten years and yet ladies are still lining up to take pictures with him. He's just that amazing.
Malone: "Who the hell is Magic Jonson? Let him come up to me and we can settle this man to man. Anyways, I am done talking to the media. Karl Malone has done a 360 in regards to speaking to you guys for right now."
...after all these years, payback is a Karl Malone. Didn't like Johnson then, not liking him a little less now. University (Zero Patience) Blue
Don't be deceived! This is just Magic's way of trying to fire-up his team. He want's the Faker to win! Don't support him. DIE, FAKERS, DIE!
