HoopsHype.com Rumors

Mike Trudell: D’Antoni called @SteveNash - who passed Magic in assists tonight - “incredible.” He “mastered the fundamentals,” was completely self made. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Magic Johnson 

"He made me the man I am today," Johnson said Tuesday night, a day after Buss died. "Forget just the basketball player, but the man that I am. I owe a lot to Dr. Buss. "I think the reason I own the Dodgers today is because of Dr. Buss and his expertise of giving me sound business advice and making sure I took care of my money and things of that nature." NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson, Jerry Buss 

Here's a rundown of all the speakers/performers expected at Dr. Jerry Buss' memorial service on Thursday ... CBS2′s Jim Hill will be the emcee. The other expected speakers are: Timothy Leiweke - President and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group; Johnny Buss - Buss' oldest son; Frank Mariani - Dr. Buss’ long-time business partner); David Stern - NBA commissioner; Jerry West - former Lakers executive; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - former Lakers center; Phil Jackson - former Lakers coach; Shaquille O’Neal - former Lakers center; Pau Gasol - Lakers forward; Pat Riley - former Lakers coach; Kobe Bryant - Lakers guard; Magic Johnson - former Lakers guard. Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Jerry Buss, David Stern, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 

Mike Trudell: Expected to speak at the Dr. Buss Memorial Service: David Stern, Jerry West, Kareem, Magic, Phil, Shaq, Kobe & Pau (spanish). Twitter @LakersReporter

Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Jerry Buss, David Stern 

Most recently, Johnson said Buss took great pride in Johnson buying into the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that had owned Los Angeles before Buss turned L.A. into Showtime for the Lakers. "The first call I got when we bought the Dodgers was from Dr. Buss. I thought he bought the Dodgers, he was so happy," Johnson said. "It was just a father being proud of a son. He would always ask me, 'What's your next move?' " USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson, Jerry Buss 

Usually Stern sits at the center of the table during his annual news conference during the All-Star weekend, but Silver was seated in that spot this time around with Stern on the right of him. "Well, this is my 37th All-Star,’’ Stern said. "The first was 1976 in Philadelphia. And I would have say to my favorite memory actually compounded and growing to the present day is awarding Magic Johnson the MVP trophy in Orlando (in 1992). Giving sweaty Magic Johnson a big hug right after he hit the last three and still being able to hug him because he’s alive every time I see him. That is at the top of the list and it will not be easily dislodged. Even though I do enjoy every All-Star, that one will resonate for the rest of my life.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

Orlando Magic, Magic Johnson, David Stern, All Star Game 

A Lakers spokesman declined to comment on his condition. Several current and former Lakers players have visited Buss, including Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson, Jerry Buss, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 

Arash Markazi: Kobe: "My idol was Magic. I just so happened to not grow to 6-9. After I realized I wasn't going to be 6-9 that was the end of that dream." Twitter @ArashMarkazi

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson 

The worst moment of David Stern's entire tenure? "when Magic Johnson said he had HIV, we thought he was going to die." Marca.com

Magic Johnson, David Stern 

Magic Johnson: I had a great private convo with @Iamisiahthomas. Glad we can be friends again. Twitter

Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson 

Magic Johnson finally sounds ready to stop hitting the panic button on the Los Angeles Lakers' season. He's ready to concede. "It's over for my Lakers. No playoffs, no nothing," the team legend said on ESPN's halftime show Friday, when the Lakers were trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder by 16. They lost 116-101, with the sixth loss in a row being the longest streak since 2007. USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson 

Mastrov said Johnson is aware of his interest in buying the Kings. "(Owning an NBA franchise) is a passion of mine," he said. "I love basketball and I love the NBA." Mastrov, who lives in Lafayette, is one of the fitness industry's "most respected" executives, said Pamela Kufahl, editor-in-chief of Club Industry magazine. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Magic Johnson, Mark Mastrov 

Magic Johnson is NOT part of the late bid to buy the Kings and keep them in Sacramento, I am told. Johnson was part of the Mark Mastrov bid that made a serious run at buying the Warriors, before Joe Lacob and Peter Guber beat out Larry Ellison for that team, and @KBergCBS is reporting that Mastrov has had talks with the Maloofs about the Kings. Also, Magic and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former rival on the court, are friendly, though not in regular contact. Sulia

Sacramento Kings, Magic Johnson 

According to a person with knowledge of Johnson's strategy who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the situation, he never stopped planning and plotting on this front and spent much of the last month ramping up the effort to coordinate with potential buyers who would keep the team in Sacramento. Yet the only interested party who is publicly known is supermarket magnate and part-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ron Burkle, whose wealth was estimated by Forbes to be $3.1 billion in September of 2012. USA Today Sports

Sacramento Kings, Magic Johnson 

How cool is this commercial? I love it. It reminds me a little of fighting Great Tiger in the old Nintendo game “Mike Tyson’s Punch Out.” Great Tiger would do a disappearing act while in the ring. That’s basically the same concept in this “Disappearing Act” NBA BIG commercial. Spike Lee did a fantastic job directing this spot. I love the flow and the concept of the commercial. I like Magic Johnson’s role in the spot as well. The special effects are off the charts. Spike Lee hit a home run with this ad. The concept is great and the execution is spectacular. If this gets you in the mood to check out some NBA action, 104.5 The Team will be airing the Los Angeles Lakers @ the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 8:00pm. Pregame coverage begins at 7:00pm ET. 1045 The Team ESPN Radio

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Magic Johnson, Showbusiness 

Chris Palmer: "I thought I would never see Showtime again. The Clippers are Showtime! THIS is Showtime." Magic Johnson Twitter @ESPNChrisPalmer

Los Angeles Clippers, Magic Johnson 

Magic Johnson said the Lakers should trade Pau Gasol for you. Any thoughts about it? Josh Smith: I'm just about playing basketball games and being successful on the team I'm playing for. There's a lot of rumors, people are going to say things... But I'm just concerned about the Atlanta Hawks and winning basketball games for this team. HoopsHype

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Pau Gasol, Magic Johnson, Josh Smith 

But the Lakers never strayed too far from his mind as Bryant also found time to make a phone call to Magic Johnson to talk about the team. "We just talked about some of the experiences he went through and some of the systematic changes that he had to go through after Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) retired and how he kind of managed through that and how he dealt with that," Bryant said after the Lakers shootaround in preparation for their game against the New York Knicks on Thursday. "It was very helpful." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson 

David Aldridge: Kobe wasn't kidding about reaching out: said this am he spoke w/Magic yesterday, w/Johnson discussing post-Kareem adjustments his team made. Twitter @daldridgetnt

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson 

Dave McMenamin: What did Kobe do on his off day yesterday? Talked to Magic Johnson and saw The Rockettes with his kids Twitter @mcten

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson