Lakers Front Office Fiasco

ESPN Writer Baxter Holmes did a fantastic job dropping a Article shedding light on what is going on in the front office of the LA Lakers. Ever since Magic Johnson resigned as GM, people have been wondering what has been going on in the front office. here is a quick summary of his article for those do dont like to read long articles.

Magic Johnson

• He made it clear he didn’t accept excuses or mistakes and those who aren’t on board should leave.
• He pointed to his office that had a large stack of resumes and said you can be replaced at any time.
• “If you questioned him on anything, his response was always a threatening tone,” said a Lakers front office staffer who interacted with Johnson directly.
• According to nearly two dozen current and former team staffers, ranging from occupants of executive suites to office cubicles, in addition to league sources and others close to the team, the Lakers under Johnson and Pelinka were fraught with dysfunction, on and off the court.
• Pelinka and Johnson made signings while seeking little to no consultation from them.
• Johnson screamed at Employee saying “I don’t stand for mistakes.” “I don’t make mistakes”

Rob Pelinka

• At least two dozen staffers throughout the organization would depart under Pelinka. 
• Had an employee turnover rate of %37.5.
• Instead of Omari Spellman, the Lakers took Wagner, the forward from Michigan. Sources said that inside the second war room, scouts and other staff members watched the pick on television and were shocked.
• Staffers were taken aback that Pilinka went behind everyone’s back without involvement of key figures central to the decision.
• Before Johnson took the job, many Agents called and told Johnson to watch out for Pilinka. 
• Disciplined 3 times in less than 12 months for tampering under Pelinka and Johnson.

Lebron James and Rich Paul

• Rich Paul was trying to get Walton fired, didn’t believe he was a good coach for Lebron.
• Three people associated with Lebron James were on the Lakers payroll.
• Rich Paul didn’t deny riding on the Lakers charter plane.
• Rich Paul would show up to practices prior to KCP signing with the Lakers.
• Paul and Klutch Sports seemed to have a increased presence around the Lakers building and training facility. 
• Staffers were concerned about why KCP played during his jail sentence, many believed it was the Lakers were trying to get Klutch to help them lure Lebron James to the Lakers.
• Former Lakers player called Rich a “Culture Killer”

Jeanie Buss

• Coaching staff member said they have “100 percent confidence” that Buss knew of the general concerns within the organization.
• One source close to coaching staff said that Buss “accepted that this is who they are.”
• Buss said that, “Johnson brought the vision of the kind of team we’re going to build and a vision of what Lakers basketball is going to be you can see that.”
• When the team introduced Vogel as Walton’s replacement, she wasn’t present and wouldn’t address reporters.
• In 6 seasons that Jeanie has been in charge of the Lakers they have 329 losses which ties them with for the most losses with the New York Knicks. 
• Walton said Kurt Rambis said was frustrated with the instability around him.

After reading this Article all I can say is that they didn’t have this kind of chaos since Lebron became a Laker. Personally if i were Magic, I would have told Lebron “keep your agent away from this facility and let us do our jobs.”