Los Angeles Lakers team president of basketball operations Magic Johnson has not yet made a huge blockbuster move but he has made some waves in the world of tampering. The legendary point guard recently made some comments about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetkounmpo that the NBA determined was a violation of the anti-tampering rules the league has in place.
The NBA announced today that it has fined the Los Angeles Lakers $50,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule. The fine is in response to statements regarding the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo made by Earvin "Magic" Johnson in a recent media interview.
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) February 6, 2018
This is the second time Johnson has been fined by the NBA for tampering. The first instance happened involving Paul George over the summer stemming from a complaint made by the Indiana Pacers.
Here’s what Johnson said about Giannis during a recent interview with ESPN’s Nick Freidell.
“Oh yeah,” Johnson told ESPN recently. “With his ball-handling skills and his passing ability. He plays above the rim I never could do that. But in his understanding of the game, his basketball IQ, his creativity of shots for his teammates. That’s where we [have the] same thing. Can bring it down, make a pass, make a play. I’m just happy he’s starting in the All-Star game because he deserves that. And he’s going to be like an MVP, a champion, this dude he’s going to put Milwaukee on the map. And I think he’s going to bring them a championship one day.”
