HoopsHype.com Rumors

Magic Johnson suggested the Lakers should trade Pau Gasol to Atlanta for Josh Smith. Don’t count on it, says one league source. “That’s why Magic isn’t a GM,” the source said. “The Hawks would never do that.” FOXSportsOhio

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

I think I agree with the general consensus that having NBA players participate in the 1992 Olympics fanned the flames of worldwide interest. When Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and the other members of that Dream Team showed the world how exciting and competitive the top level of the game was, something changed. More and more players from outside the U.S. chose basketball as their favorite sport, and the results have been spectacular. Pau Gasol was among those motivated to play basketball by what he saw at the '92 Olympics. The international game, which had grown to the point of eclipsing U.S. college players, might have taken longer to reach the current level had Stern not backed the participation of NBA players in the Olympics. ESPN.com

Pau Gasol, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, David Stern, Spain, Olympics 

TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal voiced their skepticism of the Lakers' Princeton offense Tuesday, with Barkley saying in a conference call, "I've always said I want my accountants from Princeton, not my offense." A day later, Magic Johnson and Jeff Van Gundy, of ESPN/ABC, were more evenhanded. "I think they're going to combine the Princeton offense with the Santa Clara offense, with the Lower Merion offense," Van Gundy said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal, Coaching, Media, Mike Brown, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy 

Who was your favourite player growing up and why? Jose Manuel Calderon: I didn’t follow the NBA too much. But Magic Johnson, I always liked him. Other than that, the guy I followed was called Elmer Bennett. When I signed with Tau [Ceramica in Spain], he was the guy on the first team. National Post

Toronto Raptors, Jose Manuel Calderon, Magic Johnson, Elmer Bennett 

"It's out of my control," (Magic) Johnson said, "but all L.A. fans are hoping Time Warner makes the deals with the others. That's what it comes down to. I believe they're working on it for all the fans. I hope it happens soon because the hype for this team and the anticipation is so off the charts - I think even moreso than when we played (in the 1980s). It's just so incredible to bring this collection of All-Stars together". Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Media, Magic Johnson 

Magic Johnson has been sued by a former employee who claims the NBA legend is SUPER SERIOUS when it comes to snacks ... because he forced her to "regularly squeeze his red vines to make sure they were soft." The woman behind the lawsuit is 45-year-old Lanita Thomas -- who claims she served as Magic's personal flight attendant on his private jet from 2004 until last month ... when Magic fired her ass. TMZ.com

Law, Magic Johnson 

Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson have everything and nothing in common. Johnson, the Lakers' superstar of the past, is known for his effervescent smile and charisma. Bryant, the Lakers' current superstar, is known for his unwavering, intense focus -- a trait that can manifest itself in surliness. Despite their differences, they clearly have a mutual respect. At a recent event, Bryant and Johnson exchanged a few pleasantries and a hug when they ran into each other on the red carpet. Said Johnson: "Life is great." Responded Bryant: "Eh, you know, it's moving." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson 

Even though Stan Van Gundy won’t be joining ESPN’s formerly boring NBA pregame show — a development that disappointed us greatly — NBA Countdown will be getting a shot of life in another form: Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose are going to be joining Magic Johnson and Michael Wilbon. This is a good thing. They’ll de-vanilla the robotic proceedings with their sharp opinions and whatnot, and if all goes according to plan, we should have our first incidence of accidental cursing from Bill Simmons by mid-November. It will be a moment we’ll celebrate. And it’s a moment Simmons doesn’t sound like he’s looking forward to. SportsGrid.com

Media, Jalen Rose, Magic Johnson, Bill Simmons 

Jalen Rose, whose star continues to rise at ESPN, has just been selected as the 4th member of ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” sources tell me. The deal, which came together over the weekend, will pair Rose with Bill Simmons, Magic Johnson and Michael Wilbon, as ESPN makes a run at TNT’s “Inside the NBA.” The two shows don’t go head-to-head, but “Inside the NBA” is far more popular among fans. The Big Lead

Media, Jalen Rose, Magic Johnson, Bill Simmons 

One night after being immortalized with a statue outside Staples Center, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be made fun of in a hotel ballroom. Voluntarily, of course. Hosted by comedian George Lopez, the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Celebrity Roast will take place Nov. 17 at a downtown Los Angeles hotel, featuring appearances by many of Abdul-Jabbar's former teammates with the Showtime Lakers, including Magic Johnson. The event also marks the beginning of the "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Experience," a multi-city tour featuring memorabilia from throughout his life and career. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Staples Center 

The fact that Bryant can make such a bold statement without anyone so much as batting an eye is a testament to the respect that he commands. "It's hands-down Kobe's team," Magic Johnson told The Times. "It's never going to change until Kobe is not on the team. "Kobe is the leader as of today, and this year, and whenever he's playing, because he's been there, he knows how to win, he knows how to perform in the clutch moments. Dwight needs to learn how to do that. Will it ever be Dwight's team? Yes, someday it will, but right now this is Kobe's team. Make no mistake about it." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Magic Johnson 

Magic Johnson has forever oozed optimism. From his smile, uber competitiveness and on-court playmaking, Johnson never saw a challenge be believed he couldn't overcome. But even Johnson has some doubts on whether the Lakers' revamped roster, headlined by Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, will be enough to win the NBA championship. "You still have to consider Miami the favorite because they're the defending world champions," Johnson said Monday evening at Time Warner Cable Sportsnet's launch party. "But I think the Lakers are right there with them, no question about it. 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." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Magic Johnson 

Sculptor Bill Wolfe said he wants to make sure Bird’s statue is taller than those of Magic Johnson, whose Michigan State team beat Bird’s Indiana State team in the 1979 NCAA championship game. ‘‘I don’t have anything against Magic,’’ Wolfe said. ‘‘Larry is just better,’’ Wolfe then said in unison with Jack Fox, director of development for the Indiana State University Foundation. Boston Globe

Indiana Pacers, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird 

Laettner played a similar role on the 1992 “Dream Team” as Anthony Davis does on this year’s version, going from the best player in all of college basketball to a rarely-used substitute in the Olympics. When asked which team would win in a hypothetical game, Laettner said: “Of course I am going to say that they would never beat the ’92 team. The good thing about the ’92 team is that we never played cool because all those guys wanted to go out there and show the world how good we were. So we weren’t playing the other team. We were playing [for] our identity and for our whole country to show the world we were the best. “Michael Jordan didn’t play cool," Laettner continued. "Magic Johnson didn’t play cool. We wanted to kill everybody and I wish these guys [the 2012 team] would get that little more sense of urgency.” Charlotte Observer

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, USA Basketball, Christian Laettner 

Back in September 2007, Johnson came to Charlestown to join local partner Cathartes Private Investments in pulling the wraps off Mezzo’s loft-style condos priced in the $300,000 to $600,000 range. It was the basketball legend’s first project in the Boston area. But within weeks the project switched to rentals as the real estate market softened and the economy went south. The Great Recession officially began in December 2007. “Obviously it was happening through some pretty tough years,” a spokesperson for Canyon-Johnson said. “Relatively speaking, their loss wasn’t significant. This is a project they are proud of.” Boston Herald

Magic Johnson 

Johnson is still listed as an executive with the Lakers but said he's not directly involved in team business anymore. He said he wasn't sure if the Lakers would eventually land Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard in a trade. "I don't know. I can't tell you. I don't know what they're going to do," he said. "If they don't they've got to roll with what they've got and hopefully improve the bench. They've done a good job with Jamison. "One thing about the Lakers is they're a very smart team. I think they'll give the Thunder a lot of trouble because of their talent, and they're very smart. Steve Nash, man, the shots that we're going to get with him are going to be amazing. Kobe's going to love playing with him. Finally he can have a chance to rest on offense." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, Magic Johnson 

That mind-set shows one of the many reasons why Johnson believes Team USA's game Sunday against France will mark the beginning of an inevitable gold-medal run. That mind-set also led Johnson to argue Bryant and James would earn a spot on the original Dream Team. If only someone could invent a time machine. "You have to say Kobe would definitely make it," Johnson said. "He's unbelievable. We're so lucky and so fortunate we get a chance to watch Kobe play every single night here in L.A. LeBron is the best all-around player in the game so he would definitely make our team. Kevin Durant would have a shot as well. You have two definitely in with Kobe and LeBron." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Magic Johnson, USA Basketball 

Bryant isn't just giving speeches about how he won five NBA championships or the need to treat every game seriously. He shed 16 pounds to ensure playing at a faster pace. Bryant has gladly set up scorers in Durant and Carmelo Anthony. The Lakers star also embraces guarding the opposing team's top scorer. It kind of reminds Johnson of his own role with the Dream Team. "He doesn't have to dominate like he used to. I didn't have to dominate like I used to," Johnson said. "I just went out and played the game. The main thing was to be the captain, push the guys and help them understand every game is a big game no matter who you're playing." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Magic Johnson, USA Basketball 

Let's make one thing clear. Magic Johnson can't think of a single scenario in which the 2012 U.S. men's basketball would beat his esteemed 1992 Dream Team. Even if Kobe Bryant and LeBron James believe otherwise. "They know we will crush them," Johnson said. Los Angeles Times

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, USA Basketball, Team USA 

Still, Johnson hardly took offense to suggestions by Bryant and James leading up to the 2012 Olympics that their team would beat what many consider to be the most dominant basketball team ever put together. Los Angeles Times

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, USA Basketball, Team USA