Magic Johnson New President Of Basketball Operations

The Los Angeles Lakers have shaken up their front office, promoting team legend Magic Johnson to president of basketball operations and firing general manager Mitch Kupchak and vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss.

“Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” team governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. Our search for a new General Manager to work with Earvin and Coach Luke Walton is well underway and we hope to announce a new General Manager in short order. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new General Manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.”

Jeanie Buss is Jim Buss’ sister, and both took on greater responsibility after the death of their father in February 2013.

Johnson was drafted by the Lakers in 1979 and won five titles with the team. He was hired as an adviser to the team in February. Johnson has held titles with the Lakers in the past, including honorary vice president, which he resigned from in June. He has also previously owned shares in the team, which he sold to Dr. Patrick Soon Shiong in 2011.

“It’s a dream come true to return to the Lakers as President of Basketball Operations working closely with Jeanie Buss and the Buss family,” Johnson said in the statement. “Since 1979, I’ve been a part of the Laker Nation and I’m passionate about this organization. I will do everything I can to build a winning culture on and off the court. We have a great coach in Luke Walton and good young players. We will work tirelessly to return our Los Angeles Lakers to NBA champions.”

Shaq Honored With Statue

The +Los Angeles Lakers should be proud of their former player +Shaq Oneal. Shaq's legacy as a Lakers player will be forever remembered after the famed athlete was presented with a statue during a celebratory event at Star Plaza. Shaq's friends and family were on hand as the statue was unveiled on Friday (March 24), which depicts the 7'1" former NBA star dunking a basket.

Kobe Bryant Retire Both Jerseys

After 20 years, the third leading scorer, and five-time champion Kobe Bryant retired his No.8 and No. 24 jersey at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday night.  The ceremony began during the halftime game against the Golden State Warriors with Kobe’s short film, Dear Basketball playing on the jumbo tron, followed by fellow Lakers jersey retiree Magic Johnson with an introduction. 

LeBron James Makes Big Come Back vs Miami Heat

LeBron James stepped onto the floor at American Airlines Arena and put on a show. The four-time NBA MVP won his first two championships with the Miami back in 2012 and 2013 after forming the big three with him, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Those baskets seemed so familiar to James because he could not miss. He scored 28 of his 51 points in the first half of play and kept his foot on the gas for the entire ball game.

The Lakers have won 5 of their last 6 games. Prior to Saturday’s road loss to the Magic, the Lakers were on a four-game winning streak. On Wednesday James will make his return back home to Cleveland. It will be Lebron’s first game back since joining the Lakers this summer, one of two meetings between the teams. The Cavs will play the Lakers in LA on Christmas Day as well.

“It’s always great to be here,” said the three-time Finals MVP. James embraced a number of people with hugs before the game began. “We had some not so good times, we had more great times, so it’s always a respect factor and a love for the people in Miami and especially the people who work here.” James tallied 48 points heading into the final 20 seconds. With the clock winding down, he was challenged by teammate Lance Stevenson to go for 51.

Magic Johnson Steps Down As Lakers President

Magic Johnson announced Tuesday he is stepping down from his role as the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations.

The Hall of Famer returned to the Lakers in an executive role in February 2017, replacing Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss in the front office.

However, there have been questions about his commitment to the role in the past two years. He has been fined multiple times for tampering.

Meanwhile, the Lakers haven't tangibly improved under his leadership, as they missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season. He signed LeBron James in free agency, but he was unable to surround him with other stars.

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Most Valuable NBA Franchise

The +New York Knicks has been named the most valuable NBA Franchise. Forbes released its annual list of richest NBA teams, and the Knicks come in first at $1.4 billion. New York is one of three teams in the league that are worth over a billion dollars, with the runners-up on the list being the Los Angeles Lakers ($1.35 billion) and Chicago Bulls ($1 billion). The top five of the list is rounded out by the Boston Celtics ($875 million) and Brooklyn Nets ($780 million).

A major part of the profitability of the Knicks and Lakers is their television revenue. In addition to being massively popular global brands, both teams essentially control their own television networks, the Knicks’ MSG and the Lakers’ Time Warner Cable SportsNet. Forbes reported that the Lakers have the richest local television agreement in the NBA, worth $3.6 billion over 20 years.

Coming in last on the list are the Milwaukee Bucks, worth an estimated $405 million, well below the league average of $634 million. The two-time defending NBA champions, the Miami Heat, are the seventh-most profitable team in the league at $770 million, and the team with the current best record in the league, the Indiana Pacers, come in at No. 22, with a $475 million total value.

LeBron James Reaches 39,000 Career Points

 

LeBron James scored his 39,000th point as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 131-99 victory over the Utah Jazz, completing an undefeated run through the NBA In-Season Tournament's group play. Anthony Davis contributed 26 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who dominated Phoenix, Memphis, Portland, and Utah during the tournament. 

Russell Westbrook Traded To The Los Angeles Lakers

 

Westbrook will now form an impressive Big Three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. In exchange, the Lakers shipped out Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The teams also exchanged draft picks as the Lakers since this year’s No. 22 and received the 2024 and 2028 second-round picks from The Wizards.

Phil Jackson Signs With Knicks

The +New York Knicks has chosen +Phil Jackson as their head coach. Phil Jackson signed on to become president of the New York Knicks after a lunch meeting with team officials. Todd Musburger, Jackson’s Chicago-based agent, was in Los Angeles to finalize the contract with Jackson and Knicks officials, according to sources. Jackson’s deal is expected to pay him $12 million a year.

Jackson, who has won a record 11 NBA championships as coach of the Lakers and Bulls and two as a Knicks player, likely will spend significant time in New York but also retain his time in Los Angeles. Jackson will take over the running of the Knicks’ basketball operations department from president and general manager Steve Mills. A source said earlier this week that Mills will remain an integral part of the organization.

While there was significant interest in bringing him back to the Lakers in some capacity, it never reached a level where Jackson’s representatives were formally contacted, as it was clear to all involved that the Lakers would not offer a role that offered nearly as much power as the Knicks did.

Magic Johnson Ask L.A. Lakers To Not Trade LeBron James

 

Magic Johnson who won 5 titles with the Lakers during his career out in L.A. this week, and asked him if the Lake Show should trade its 37-year-old superstar after the team missed the playoffs this season. Magic told us absolutely not saying he wants LeBron James in the purple and gold "for a long time. 

The idea of jettisoning James, who averaged 30.3 points per game in his nineteenth season, has recently been floated by disgruntled Lakers fans and some media personalities who think the haul LeBron James could get in a trade would make the team immediately better. 

LeBron James Becomes A Free Agent

LeBron James has alerted the Cleveland Cavaliers that he will opt out of the final year of his contract with the team and headline the 2019 list of NBA Free Agents. In doing so King James will leave $35.6 million on the table for the 2018-19 season.

ESPN reports the opt-out does not signify that LeBron’s time is over in Cleveland, however, it does provide a greater opportunity for the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire one of the greatest to touch a basketball. It has been oft-rumored throughout the course of the NBA Season that James has eyed a transition to Hollywood but his hometown team is able to offer the most money at five-year, $207.4 million. Other teams that have a chance between the Cavs and the LakeShow include the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers.

Many believe the Lakers are planning a complete overhaul of their roster from last year and are looking to trade for San Antonio Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard to pair with LeBron. It is believed that his presence on the roster would “clinch” signing the Cavs star. Also lingering in free agency is Paul George, who opted out of the last year of his deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder to explore his free agency options. It’s rumored the Lakers wish to add him to Leonard and James for a new big three.

NBA Free Agency officially opens Sunday at 12:01 EST and we will see how the dominoes fall. Other free agents this summer include Demarcus Cousins, Clint Capela, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul and more.

James Harden Tops New Charts

Harden put on an absolute scoring clinic and there wasn’t much the Clippers could do about it. He went 15-28 from the floor and went to the free throw line 16 times. He exploded right out the gate with a 20 point first quarter.

Dwayne Wade Traded To Miami Heat

ESPN announced today in a three-team deal that Wade is being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat. The shooting guard spent 13 years playing for the Heat. He then played for the Chicago Bulls in 2016 before heading to Cleveland with Lebron James.

We Need Help Starting Our Invention

The Wrap-Up Magazine announced earlier this year that they would be putting together a new invention to present to the mass public. Well the wait is no longer. The revising of the original drop ceilings are now in place and digital designs have been made up.

In the picture above, you can see +NFL Players Association with the +Buffalo Bills in the center. Think of all other football logos going in the same position or however you choose to design it.

+Sponge Bob has become kids favorite cartoon all over the world. So image him being on ceiling of your kids bedroom, hospitals, doctor offices, and dentist clinics.

The +LA Lakers logo with other +NBA teams can also be designed out to fit your lifestyle. However it is you would like your living space, then this gives you the opinion to design it how you choose.

 We thought of all kinds of designs. For older couples, kids, sports fans, and many more. Help us to make it a reality with donations or subscription. Help us to better serve you. This idea has not been published for advertising as of yet.

                                               
                                                              

More Links:

Turning Plastic Bottles Into Clothes

Introducing The Air Umbrella

Cavaliers Fire Mike Brown

The +Cleveland Cavaliers has just fired their coach +Mike Brown. Brown was fired for the second time in four years by owner Dan Gilbert, who last April brought back the only coach to get the Cavs to the NBA Finals but then dismissed him after the team failed to make the playoffs.

The Cavs went 33-49 under Brown, who had four years remaining on his contract. He was fired last year by the Los Angeles Lakers just five games into his second season. Brown was let go in 2010 after the Cavs failed to advance past the conference semifinals. At the time, it appeared Gilbert was making the move — and hiring Byron Scott as coach — to appease LeBron Jamesand keep him in Cleveland. James, though, decided to leave for Miami as a free agent.

The Cavs improved defensively under Brown, moving from last in the league in field goal percentage to 12th. But the offense was a continued work in progress and the Cavs didn’t make a late playoff push despite a favorable schedule down the stretch.

While the Cavs showed signs of progress with Brown, he was unable to get one of the league’s youngest teams to play consistently. There were also some personality conflicts between All-Star guard Kyrie Irving and backcourt mate Dion Waiters. Although the two claimed to get along, there was little harmony on the court.

Kobe Bryant Sets New Record

(The Wrap-Up Magazine) According to ESPN, the average fan inside the arena spent $61 USD on merchandise, with the average bill totaling $230 USD. Limited edition lambskin and Italian cashmere hats from the Lakers’ high-end “24 Collection” — which 2 Chainz previewed here and were priced at $38,024 USD and $24,008 USD respectively — sold well, with only three out of a total 16 units left at the end of the night.

All pins, coins and jerseys also sold out by the end of the night, including an $824 USD jersey limited to 248 units. Only three of 24 Swarovski crystal-embedded leather jackets remained unsold, with the retail price of $5,824 USD.

Lamar Odom Talks Master P and Kobe Bryant Fight

 

Lamar Odom talked about the transition from Miami back to Los Angeles, only this time as a member of the Lakers. Lamar recounted what it was like being a teammate of Kobe's and even detailed how he diffused a tense moment between Kobe and Master P.

Ice Cube Talks Eminem

 

Though Eminem has collaborated on wax with a variety of Up In Smoke Tour veterans — including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Xzibit —  there was one key figure with whom he never linked. Though Em did mention Ice Cube in his beloved “Renegade” closing verse, he never actually linked up with the NWA lyricist. 

LeBron James May Opt Out

Rumors are that +LeBron James may opt out of his contract with the +Miami HEAT. LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul has informed the Miami Heat that the four-time NBA MVP will exercise his early termination option and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Opting out does not mean that James has decided to leave the Heat. James had until June 30 to decide whether to opt out of the final two years of his contract with Miami. He was scheduled to make $20 million next season and had two years and about $42.7 million remaining on his deal.

“The last four seasons have been historic, and LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Erik Spoelstra have led the Miami Heat to one of the most unprecedented runs in the history of the NBA. We look forward to sitting down with LeBron and his representatives and talking about our future together. At the moment, we are preparing for the opportunities in the draft and free agency as we continue with our goal of winning NBA championships.”

After Miami’s season-ending loss to the San Antonio Spursin Game 5 of the NBA Finals, James told reporters he would take a vacation with his family before considering his contract options. James indicated that he welcomed the opportunity to become a free agent and have the same level of flexibility he was afforded in 2010, when he signed with Miami after spending his first seven years in Cleveland.

In his four seasons in Miami, the Heat have gone to the NBA Finals four times, winning two championships. James could join Shaquille O’Neal as the only players in league history to lead the NBA Finals in total points scored and then play for a different team to start the following season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. O’Neal played for the 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers, who lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, and was traded to the Heat in the offseason.

Shaquille O’Neal And Allen Iverson Nominated For The Hall of Fame

The larger-than-life 7-foot-1 big man and the ultra-quick 6-0 point guard lead the 10-member Class of 2016, which was announced Monday. Much like during their playing careers, there was no stopping Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson when it came to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

O’Neal won four NBA championships and an MVP award and is in the league’s top 10 in career scoring. Iverson won four scoring titles and was the league’s MVP in 2001, when his 48-point performance for the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals handed O’Neal’s Los Angeles Lakers their only loss of the most dominant postseason in NBA history.

Iverson and O’Neal will be enshrined along with Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, former WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes and Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Longtime NBA referee Darrell Garretson, coach John McLendon and former stars Zelmo Beaty and Cumberland Posey will be enshrined posthumously.

O’Neal is one of four players to win three Finals MVP awards, joining Michael Jordan (6), Tim Duncan (3) and Magic Johnson (3). He was one vote shy in 1999-2000 of becoming the first unanimous MVP in NBA history as Iverson received the only other first-place vote.

Izzo has reached seven Final Fours and earned 524 career victories since becoming the head coach at Michigan State in 1995. In 2000 he guided the Spartans to the NCAA national championship with an 89-76 win over Florida.

Ming, the No. 1 overall pick by the Rockets in 2002, didn’t have the numbers of some other great centers, but he bridged a path for the NBA to China. The third Chinese player in league history was an eight-time All-Star before injuries shortened his career, as he missed 159 out of a possible 164 games in the last two years in the NBA. Ming was a first-team all-rookie in the 2002-03 season. In his first game against O’Neal, he blocked his first three shot attempts in the first three minutes of the game.

Swoopes was the first player signed by the WNBA. She went on to win three MVP awards and four championships in the league, but it was her 47-point performance in leading Texas Tech to the 1993 NCAA championship that many think of first when talking about one of the greats of women’s basketball.