All Is Magically Well Between Johnson, Pelinka After Lakers Title

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Not that long ago, Los Angeles Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka weren’t exactly on the best of terms. Now, at least in the glow of the Lakers’ 17th NBA championship, it appears all is right with the world between the two.

Johnson, who lives in Beverly Park, tweeted that he appreciated Pelinka calling him Sunday night after the Lakers captured the 2020 title with a Game 6 victory over the Miami Heat.

“Rob Pelinka made me feel good tonight reaching out,” Johnson said in his tweet. “ …It means the world to me because I know he’s in the middle of celebrating with all of the Lakers players, coaches, and Jeanie Buss and he didn’t have to.”

Pelinka, whom Johnson once said in a nationally televised television interview betrayed him by whispering behind his back, said that rumblings that he was never in the office and wasn't working hard enough eventually led him to resign as Lakers president last year. Johnson also took issue with former coach Luke Walton being fired mid-season, which was reportedly part of his issue with Pelinka.

On Sunday night, Pelinka, though, included Johnson in the celebration by saying that the former Lakers star who won five NBA championships as a player between 1980 and 1988, had a hand in getting this year’s team to the title and said the former Finals MVP was early on his call list after the Lakers' latest title.

“I still have such gratitude for the two seasons I got to work with Earvin,” Pelinka told reporters Sunday night. “And he’s definitely a part of tonight with his vision and working side by side. He’s an unbelievable person, and we have a great, incredibly strong relationship. He was one of the first calls tonight. Had a great talk with him."