The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title last season in spite of Magic Johnson’s efforts, not because of them. Still, that is not stopping Johnson from flaunting the championship ring he received on social media.
The retired Lakers legend took to Twitter on Saturday to show off the rings that were gifted to him and his wife Cookie by team owner Jeanie Buss. Johnson boldly proclaimed it to be “my 11th NBA championship ring.”
Cookie and I are so blessed to receive our championship rings! Thank you to Laker owner @JeanieBuss, the Laker players and especially @KingJames because he told me he was going to bring a championship to Laker Nation. This is my 11th NBA Championship ring! pic.twitter.com/R5n7foBPuR
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 26, 2020
The irony here however is that Johnson was the president of basketball operations for the Lakers from 2017 to 2019, runnning the team into the ground before abruptly quitting because he was no longer “having fun.”
Many Twitter users saw the comedy in Johnson’s post and roasted him.
U quit on the Lakers tho
— (@murdamonkk) December 26, 2020
Wait why'd he get a ring when he quit and was the reason the Lakers became a laughing stock??
— Rich (@chardzrd) December 26, 2020
Magic’s obviously the man, but he stepped away from his post…Idk how Him and Cookie get a ring
— Brendan Cronin (@Cronin617) December 26, 2020
What happened to pic.twitter.com/6oMu6DHhzD
— Ash Ketchum (@estimableee) December 26, 2020
During Johnson’s tenure, the Lakers made a number of boneheaded moves. Those included letting talented players like Brook Lopez and Julius Randle walk for nothing, trading young big man Ivica Zubac for essentially nothing, and making odd signings such as Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson. The Lakers also never once made the postseason under Johnson. Then after Johnson resigned, he trashed former front office partner Rob Pelinka as a backstabber (though the two have since made peace).
Meanwhile, LeBron James’s arrival in Los Angeles did admittedly happen during Johnson’s tenure. But the four-time MVP already seemed set on coming to the Lakers regardless of who was running the team.
Johnson won five rings as a player and had an ownership stake in the team for five more of their championship runs after his retirement. While he may have earned those rings, especially the first five, he most certainly did not earn this latest ring that he received from the Lakers.
Lakers fans, show everyone who runs LA with this great T-shirt. It makes a perfect gift for you or a friend. You can buy it here.
