Magic Johnson debate turns into ESPN-on-ESPN racism claims

[Doobie Doo]

Magic Johnson debate turns into ESPN-on-ESPN racism claims




A handful of ESPN personalities bared their claws Thursday in response to radio host Dan Le Batard’s Magic Johnson takedown, which at least one of his colleagues believed to be racially motivated.

“What you’ve got here, though, is a testament to the power of fame. And a testament to the power of a modicum of charm,” Le Batard said. “Because Magic Johnson is charming. But Magic Johnson was given a late-night television show because he’s famous and charming. Failed in 11 shows. Magic Johnson was given a head coaching job of the Lakers because he’s famous and charming. Failed in 16 games. Magic Johnson, not interesting as a broadcaster, given broadcasting opportunity after broadcasting opportunity, because he’s famous and charming.

“I can’t tolerate this dude! I can’t tolerate him saying these things about Magic Johnson because his facts are completely wrong!” the former Pro Bowl wide receiver said. “He got a talk show coming out of the NBA because they were trying a late-night talk show with African-Americans, and he’s a guy in the city of LA who everyone liked. The talk show business is hard! How many people fail at it?”

http://nypost.com/2017/02/23/magic-johnson-debate-turns-into-espn-on-espn-racism-claims/

 

[Taadow]

Both sides have vaild points.

 

[King Poetic]

My whole thing in regards to le batard is what has John Paxson done to deserve his position??? He was doing broadcasting for the bulls and the next day he's vice president of operations..what about that

What about steve Kerr leaving tnt to take over as GM in Phoenix and fail and now he with golden state as coach..

These espn fukks try to fox news shyt to make there points and convince everybody they know shyt

 

[MVike28]

Dan really thinks he has a hood pass.

NAH nikka.

 

[pete clemenza]

Le Bartard f*cked up with his comments but I knew somebody in the media was going to say Magic charmed his way into the Laker position. Not everybody is starry eyed for Magic. This might cause him to really go hard at the job now which is a plus for Laker fans.

 

[JackRoss]

Highly questionable comments

 

[NV-ME]

i assume his father's resume was bustling w/ tv experience and sports referrals when espn put him on tv, flanked by two journalists.

lakers hired a former minority owner and arguably its greatest player in its rich franchise history to run a basketball business operation. soon as he moved in w/ the dodgers, they became better & more profitable. now, on to basketball, how is one of its best players and one of the most successful businessmen in its native city unqualified to run a basketball business operation.

this is why mofos dont need to be on the radio & tv every day of the week. they run out of valid shyt to say and start reaching for the stars....and by that, i mean reaching for magic. he is a star among stars.

 

[kingofnyc]

My whole thing in regards to le batard is what has John Paxson done to deserve his position??? He was doing broadcasting for the bulls and the next day he's vice president of operations..what about that

What about steve Kerr leaving tnt to take over as GM in Phoenix and fail and now he with golden state as coach..

These espn fukks try to fox news shyt to make there points and convince everybody they know shyt

to be fair
dan went on SAS to defend himself

and YES - dan, brought up ALL these other examples of him saying the same shyt about magic to these whites ex players

 

[GunRanger]

Lebatard is the last ESPN personality you would call racist though.


He's right about magic

My whole thing in regards to le batard is what has John Paxson done to deserve his position??? He was doing broadcasting for the bulls and the next day he's vice president of operations..what about that

What about steve Kerr leaving tnt to take over as GM in Phoenix and fail and now he with golden state as coach..

These espn fukks try to fox news shyt to make there points and convince everybody they know shyt

Kerr wasn't that bad with the sun's aside from the Shaq trade and hiring porter

 

[Paradise50]

Dan slandered John Lynch the same way so the racist claim is a reach.

 

[holidayinn21]

LeBatard basically called Magic a con man. Heavily coded.

 

[Groanman]

What did LeBatard say that was factually wrong about the activities "outside" of Magic's personal business ventures?

 

[Doobie Doo]

Le Bartard f*cked up with his comments but I knew somebody in the media was going to say Magic charmed his way into the Laker position. Not everybody is starry eyed for Magic. This might cause him to really go hard at the job now which is a plus for Laker fans.

It's both, Magic doesn't have the experience and honestly he wasn't a good coach nor tv personality but I mean the Sixers GM (Before Colangelo) was shyt and there have been less qualified people in higher ranking positions so Magic deserves a shot.

 

[Jparker]

Lebatard is the last ESPN personality you would call racist though.


He's right about magic he hasn't done

Kerr wasn't that bad with the sun's aside from the Shaq trade and hiring porter

Right. People confuse unbiased pov's with racism because he honestly just spoke the truth...breh got it off the strength but im not mad at it. Sometimes its who you know

 

[mastermind]

I dont think Lebatard is a racist. He is a white Cuban, but he is usually on the right side of these issues.

I also dont't think Lebatard, or anyone critiquing the Lakers hiring of Magic Johnson is wrong. You had an article where a lot of black NBA executives were upset that he and Rob Pelinka usurped them to a position of power after all the work they put in.

I just need these same standards to apply to hires that are similar.

Also, why are we mentioning his talk show or his stint as a head coach? Magic is worth over a billion dollars, and that didnt come from the NBA. He clearly has a good business acumen. Does that translate to running an NBA team? I dont know and am skeptical, but why use the low hanging fruit when you can say more insightful comments. I have to hear the entire interview to know if he did that or not, but that was weak by someone who is usually more insightful like Lebatard.