© Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesMinority Owner Magic Johnson of the Washington Commanders with wife Cookie Johnson react during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Inglewood, California.

There’s always plenty of commentary surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers after a game like their recent matchup against the Chicago Bulls. With a performance that stood out compared to other games in which Luka Doncic and LeBron James played together, the Lakers’ struggles in this NBA regular-season contest sparked bold comments from legend Magic Johnson.

Given the team’s defensive issues, fans were eager for answers, particularly regarding the performance of certain players on that end of the floor. Johnson’s remarks, which focused on the defense, came despite LeBron’s presence on the court.

Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, Johnson shared a strong message directed at the Lakers‘ roster following their disappointing loss to the Bulls. “C’mon Lakers, where was the defense last night? There’s no way they should have allowed the Chicago Bulls to score 145 points, especially with the playoffs on the horizon!” Johnson posted on X.

As expected, fans on social media quickly rallied behind the Lakers legend, agreeing with his assessment. With LeBron back in the lineup, there’s little room for error as the team looks ahead to the playoffs.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets into position during the second half against the Boston Celtics.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets into position during the second half against the Boston Celtics.

LeBron’s performance against the Hawks

James faced several challenges in his return to the court, particularly in the scoring department. With just 17 points on a shooting percentage below 50%, 6 rebounds, and 5 turnovers, the Lakers struggled while he was on the floor. However, expectations remain high for his return to form in the upcoming matchups.

As the playoffs approach, the Lakers will rely on LeBron to get back to the level of play he’s known for, as they aim to return to the NBA Finals for the first time in five years.

Magic reflects on the Showtime Lakers

In a recent conversation, Magic Johnson reminisced about the challenges the current Lakers team faces, drawing from his own experiences with the legendary Showtime Lakers.

“When Byron (Scott) and I played with Coop (Michael Cooper), we’d have meetings together,” Johnson recalled. “The guards would watch film, and then we’d watch it as a team. We’d say, ‘Okay, James (Worthy), they don’t have anyone to guard you, so we’re going to go to you.’ I’d say, ‘Cap, I’ll give you the first couple of plays, but then we’re going to go to James.’”