Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Fuels 7’4 Victor Wembanyama’s Ego With a Subtle Jab at Gregg Popovich’s $2 Billion Team: “Nobody Would’ve Watched the Spurs”

The Los Angeles Lakers over the years have had several NBA legends in their ranks. But in 1979, they drafted a 20-year-old, who would go onto become one of the greatest point guards to ever play basketball. Magic Johnson had a career for the ages in the NBA. Despite his retirement, the magician never left the court. As an NBA executive for several years, his game takes are taken as gospel.

Magic Johnson has served as the Lakers’ President of Basketball Operations during a pivotal stage in the team’s rebuild. Given his involvement in the NBA world, Johnson recently spoke about the San Antonio Spurs‘ No.1 draft pick, Victor Wembanyama. The remark however is seen as a subtle dig at the Spurs.

Magic Johnson’s take on Wemby and the Spurs

Magic Johnson has been a highly involved member in the NBA world. When the NBA hosted one of its annual exhibition games in Paris last year, Johnson was right there to witness the action. He also met the French phenom, Victor Wembanyama on his trip to Paris.

Talking about the 7’4 No.1 pick in a recent interview, Johnson stated, “Man, I was like you got this type of skill and you are this tall. It’s good for the league.”

However, he then went on to take a subtle jab at Gregg Popopvich’s $2B worth San Antonio Spurs. “Just think. Nobody would have watched the Spurs this season if it hadn’t been from them drafting him. Now, people are going to be watching their games. So, that’s good for the league. Plus, this kid has skills and he can play.”

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Johnson had some great comments for Wemby, but he may have taken a subtle jab at the Spurs. Can his statements be justified?

San Antonio Spurs had hit a slump

Over the course of three decades, the San Antonio Spurs had made themselves a remarkable dynasty in the NBA. Under the leadership of their legendary coach, Gregg Popovich, the Spurs had won 5 championships between 1999 and 2014. However, since entering the 2020 decade, the Spurs have not had a single playoff appearance.

After reigning supreme in the league for several years, the Spurs became a lottery bound team for three seasons since the turn of the decade. As Johnson stated, their viewership too, dropped after their “Big Three” had all retired. However, their efforts to land a franchise player finally succeeded in 2023 when they drafted the 7’4 French phenom, Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick.

Hailed as a generational talent, Wembayama showed the world what he is capable of in his second game as a San Antonio Spur. His phenomenal performance raised the hopes for revival for several Spurs fans.

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With the talent that Wembanyama possesses, it is natural to expect the 7’4 Frenchman to revive the Spurs franchise. After Popovich’s decision to render his services to the franchise for 5 more years, the Spurs might truly be on their way to revive the dynasty.