Magic Johnson voices frustration over direction of Lakers under Jim Buss

The in-fighting among the Los Angeles Lakers brass may have been dialed up after Magic Johnson criticized co-owner Jim Buss for his inability to follow his father’s footsteps.

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When Magic Johnson speaks, everyone in the Los Angeles Lakers organization tends to listen, although, this time, co-owner Jim Buss probably isn’t liking the conversation.

Obviously frustrated by the team’s 13-39 start, Johnson took something of a shot at co-owner Jim Buss during an interview on ESPN’s gab-fest First Take, as he feels Buss has not carried the mantle in the way his late father did while the Lakers were winning 11 NBA titles under the watch of Dr. Jerry Buss.

“Jim is trying to do it himself and trying to prove to everybody that this was the right decision that [his] dad gave [him] the reins,” Johnson said. “He’s not consulting anybody that can help him achieve his goals and dreams to win an NBA championship.”

Hmmm….not sure what direction Johnson was taking, yet it translates into “clueless Daddy’s Boy is sinking this franchise into the ground with his stubborn and ignorant attitude” to us.

The Lakers are on pace for the worst record in franchise history and is limping its way through the remainder of the season without Kobe Bryant, which means the A-list crowd that frequents Staples Center is left envisioning ping-pong balls while Swaggy P and Friends continue driving in the fast lane of futility.

Johnson doesn’t feel all is lost with the Lakers, yet added that longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak needs to have more control of the team’s personnel, something

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the younger Buss has no inclination of relinquishing. Johnson believes that if the team cannot add a young, impact free agent and a quality player via the lottery, “it’s all over for us.”

Hate to break it to you, Magic, but it’s already looking like it’s over, at least for the immediate future. The Lakers have gone through four coaches since Phil Jackson left after the 2010-11 season. Bryant will likely retire after next year, and while Bryant’s huge salary will make it easier to sign a top-tier free agent, chances are pretty good that playing for Jim Buss isn’t going to appeal to many.

Of course, all of this could change if Buss changes course and begins to trust the many basketball minds that are significantly more in tune with improving one of the NBA’s flagship teams than he is. At this time, though, don’t count on it.

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