“There was Magic, and then there was Irvin,” reflects one assistant from the Lakers in a newly published book that explores Magic Johnson’s public versus private persona during his stint as the president of basketball operations.
“When the cameras were on, you saw the magic,” the assistant stated in Yaron Weitzman’s “Hollywood Endings: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers.” “But when they weren’t, it was Irvin we experienced.”
This book delves into Johnson’s brief time managing basketball operations, offering anecdotes that reveal an alternate perspective on the Lakers’ iconic figure.
In a motivational address during a summer meeting in 2017, Johnson told his team, “Anyone can be replaced at any time.”
His approach garnered mixed reactions among the staff. For example, he took to fogging up his office glass doors to obscure visibility and casually nicknamed lower-ranking employees—as if it were just friendly banter, akin to calling a taller coworker “big guy” in the hall, Weitzman notes.
As noted by Tim DiFrancesco, who was the Lakers’ strength and conditioning coach at the time, Johnson appeared disinterested in the team’s feedback, failing to engage even on subjects where staff brought specialized knowledge.
After taking the reins, during a meeting with the training crew, Johnson emphasized his priority on body fat percentages and demanded data on all players.
DiFrancesco responded by arguing that body fat percentage isn’t the definitive measure of fitness anymore, according to the book. He elaborated that athletes store fat in different ways.
Following some discussion, Johnson firmly stated, “I want this done by the end of the season.”
Shortly after this exchange, DiFrancesco departed from the organization.
Johnson held the position of president of basketball operations for two years before stepping down in 2019. During his time, the team didn’t reach the playoffs, ending up with 72 wins and 92 losses.
