“'Enjoy this air, cause’ some of you motherf**kers ain’t gonna be here'” - Former NBA All-Star on what Magic Johnson said to LA Lakers players during their slump under his reign
Magic Johnson returned to the LA Lakers as a coach in 1994 after he retired for the first time following a positive HIV diagnosis.
LA was undergoing a transition period and struggled during the 1993-94 season. After a poor start, they let go of head coach Randy Pfund. Assistant coach Bill Bertka took over for two games before the late Jerry Buss asked Magic Johnson to take the reigns. The Lakers were 28-38 when the three-time NBA MVP took charge.
The Purple and Gold got off to a good start under Johnson, winning five of their first six games. However, they couldn't keep up that consistency, losing their next five. Johnson's 16-game coaching career ended with a 5-11 record.
On the latest episode of "Legacy: True Story of the LA Lakers," former Lakers point guard Nick Van Exel shared a story about Johnson. Exel said Magic gave the team a stern talking to following a losing streak.
"We're on that losing streak. Before practice, he said, 'come on everybody, let's go outside.' We all go outside, the weather is great, so he's like, 'everybody take a deep breathe, like enjoy the air, cause' some of you motherf**kers won't be here to enjoy this good air.'"
Magic on coaching in the NBA:
“I never wanted to coach. Dr Buss said can you do this for me & when hit me w that one I said yeah okay,” says @MagicJohnson.
@vanexel31 added, “You were willing to run thru a wall for Magic.”
#LakersDoc #LakeShow #NBATwitter https://t.co/Ma9IXlI7Su
Also Checkout:- Magic Johnson Net Worth
On this date in 1994, @MagicJohnson returned to the Los Angeles Lakers as head coach and led them to a 110-101 victory over Milwaukee. Johnson coached the Lakers for the last 16 games of the 1993-94 season. https://t.co/epWxBDKna5
The Lakers' 17-year-streak qualifying for the playoffs ended after they finished with a 33-49 record. They finished ninth in the Western Conference.
Magic Johnson never wanted to coach the LA Lakers
Magic Johnson never wanted to coach a team in the NBA. However, the late Jerry Buss' pleaded with his former superstar to take over. In the most recent episode of the "Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers," Johnson said:
"I never wanted to coach, (but) Dr. Buss said, 'can you do this for me?' and when he hit me with that one, then I said 'yeah, okay.'"
Johnson and Buss shared a close relationship. Both started their journey together in the NBA as player and owner of the Lakers respectively.
Magic Johnson was integral to the Lakers' dynasty in the '80s. He helped them win five NBA championships.
Buss took Johnson under his wing and helped him settle in LA during his initial years as a Laker. He also mentored Johnson as he grew into a businessman post-retirement.