Magic Johnson knows a champion when he sees one, and the Hall of Fame point guard who has blossomed as a business paragon, views the reigning titlists Miami Heat as the NBA’s top team going into this season.
It is a matter of respect.
“You still have to consider Miami the favorite because they’re the defending world champions,” Johnson said to the Los Angeles Times.
However, the former Laker also sees his old team as a worthy challenger — once they integrate newcomers Steve Nash and Dwight Howard into the system.
“I think the Lakers are right there with them, no question about it,” Johnson said. “It’s going to take them a couple of months to get to know each other, probably about three months to become a real team. You have Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol. So they have to learn how to mesh together. Once they do that, they’re going to be awesome.”
Johnson’s guess of 90 days to get in sync probably makes Laker fans nervous. They are used to success at the outset. But keep in mind it took LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and entire season before they elevated the Miami Heat to champions. And the Heat have added Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to fortify their bench.
“They got talent,” Johnson said, “. . . just like we have on our team. Before we get to Miami, we have to concentrate on Oklahoma City and really look to take them down first. But the Lakers are awesome. Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss have done an amazing job and we’re all going to benefit from that.
“I think the Lakers to me, if they can put it all together, are better (than OKC),” Johnson said.
For the Lakers, the way Johnson sees it, their success will be predicated not on offense.
“We have to play great defense,” Johnson said. “It’s going to depend on that. We’re going to get easier baskets because Steve Nash will run more. A lot will happen that’s different than we ever had before. Steve Nash can score and also assist. That’s something different that we never had before in a long time at the point guard position.”
Magic is my man and 50 grand as we used to say back in the day, but I totally disagree with his assessment. The Lakers didn't necessarily "get better" by adding Howard and Nash, they got OLDER, well let me clarify, by adding Howard, they did upgrade their defense in the paint, but he gives them no real offensive boost, He can hang around the rim all he wants when LeBron and Wade is kicking it out to an open Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis or Mike Miller in the corner. Against Miami, any team, not just the Lakers is going to have a MONSTER to contain on the perimeter against The Heat. Kobe has already shown signs of his age from last year's playoffs with the Thunder, turning the ball over at CRUCIAL times in very Un-Kobe like fashion, he's definitely lost a step, and Nash is damn near 40, still effective, but by basketball standards he is ANCIENT, and a young Thunder team would run rings around him, specifically Brian Westbrook, who Nash would have to guard (good luck with THAT one Steve, be sure to let us know how that works out for you buddy!) and Pau Gasol is still soft and weak as a soup sandwich, LeBron handles him AT WILL and will continue to do so. Gasol is Dirk Nowitzki without the 3 point shot. The Lakers were very smart to keep Ron Artest because they're going to need his defensive toughness and occasional offensive lift. Kobe is my dude, but it's over for him, I predict he won't win another title in Los Angeles. Yeah, they'll probably make the playoffs, but remember you heard it here first, when things aren't gelling early on and Kobe starts getting on Howard, look for these two to basically IMPLODE and totally blow up any chance the Lakers have of a championship.