In recent days, former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has criticized LeBron James for supposedly lacking the motivation to win another NBA championship, but it seems like Magic Johnson has the superstar’s back.
Johnson took to social media to tell Los Angeles Lakers fans that James is still locked in on taking the team back to the top of the NBA.
Laker Nation, I can tell you firsthand that LeBron James is committed to bringing a championship back to LA. He promised the people of Ohio he would bring a championship to Cleveland and he accomplished his mission.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 2, 2019
In a Sports Illustrated article this week, Griffin said he was “miserable” the whole time he helped build the Cavs into NBA champs. He said that once they had won the 2016 NBA championship, he knew he “was gonna leave.”
Griffin also made a not-so-flattering comment about his former franchise player leading the Cavaliers to the title after growing up in nearby Akron, Ohio.
“There wasn’t a lot else for him,” Griffin said. “I don’t think he’s the same animal anymore about winning.”
Johnson’s post could be interpreted as an indirect response to Griffin’s quote about James.
The five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer was hired as the Lakers’ president of basketball operations in early 2017, only to abruptly step down the day of their final regular-season game this April, citing criticism from colleagues and an overall lack of passion for his job.
