Magic Johnson has become surprisingly critical of the Los Angeles Lakers over the past year, and the franchise legend went after several of the team’s players during a Twitter rant on Monday.
Few players were spared from Magic’s criticism. During his Hit ‘Em Up 2Pac style rant, Johnson told Dwight Howard to stop complaining, called Pau Gasol soft, and said Kobe needed to be a better leader.
Magic’s total body count for the rant included: five All-Stars, one coach, all the bigs, and the rest of the team’s reserves.
Here’s what he wrote on Twitter:
I’m tired of blaming the coach, the responsibility is on the @lakers players.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 7, 2013
.@dwighthoward has to stop complaining and start dominating on offense….@paugasol has to stop playing soft and get back to 18pts & 10rebs!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 7, 2013
.@mettaworldpeace has to stop making great quotes and start playing great defense…@jmeeks20 has to start making better shot selections.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 7, 2013
Some of his criticism was so lengthy it didn’t fit into a 140-character tweet. Those included his criticism of the team’s big men and perimeter players, as well as Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash:
The @Lakers big men have to stop giving up easy offensive rebounds…the perimeter players have to start getting back on defense to stop the fast breaks of their opponents!
@KobeBryant is having a an MVP type season but the team needs him to be a better leader…@SteveNash scoring more and throwing more assists will help the @Lakers!
Once he was done ripping everyone, Magic told the players to have fun and reminded them that they’re embarrassing such a storied franchise:
Above everything else the @lakers players need to starthaving fun on the court!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 7, 2013
All 12 @lakers players need to understand what it means to be a member of the @lakers.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 7, 2013
As @lakers fans we demand and expect more once you put that @lakers Purple &Gold uniform on!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 7, 2013
That’s some quality encouragement, Magic.
That big rant came on Monday. Johnson then turned his attention to one of the team’s executives on Tuesday — Jim Buss — who has become one of his favorite punching bags.
Laker Nation: We’ve heard from GMMitch Kupchak that he’s upset and disappointedwith the season so far…what about Jim Buss?
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 8, 2013
Goodness, Magic, you’re acting just like a typical disgruntled fan. What are you going to do when the Lakers miss the playoffs this season?
H/T HuffPo Sports via SI Hot Clicks
