© Jayne Kamin-Oncea | 2017 Oct 4
ESPN dropped a bombshell report on Tuesday morning, detailing the dysfunction that has been going on behind-the-scenes in the Lakers organization over the last two years. The story by Baxter Holmes centers around the central figures of General Manager Rob Pelinka, and now former President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson.
Johnson abruptly resigned from his position on April 9, just over two years after taking the job. He later said that backstabbing on the part of Pelinka was part of the reason for his decision to step down, something Pelinka has denied.
Neither party comes off looking particularly good in the piece. Johnson is described as impulsive and verbally abusive, while there are multiple instances of Pelinka saying things that upon further research appear to be untrue. One of those examples involves Warriors General Manager Bob Myers, and Pelinka’s assertion that Myers often sits in on pregame and halftime coaches meetings.
At least once, [former head coach Luke] Walton addressed the issue with Pelinka, telling him that his presence was, at the very least, uncomfortable, coaching staff members said.
Walton also pointed out to Pelinka that when he coached as an assistant at Golden State, Warriors GM Bob Myers didn’t sit in on such meetings. Pelinka responded to Walton that he had communicated with Myers — and that Myers was now, in the years since Walton’s departure from Golden State, sitting in on these meetings.
Sources in and around the Warriors’ organization told ESPN that Myers does no such thing.
Pelinka remains in charge in Los Angeles, and recently hired Frank Vogel to coach the team next year after dismissing Walton. With LeBron James still in tow, there is always the possibility that despite the front office issues, the Lakers are a few moves away from contending again.
If that opportunity is squandered, however, Pelinka’s tenure will be remembered as one of the most disastrous in NBA history.
