Magic, Kobe want Lakers to bring Phil Jackson back

Magic Johnson is not impressed with the direction of the Lakers. (USATSI)

More Lakers: Berger: Does Kobe trust Buss? | Report: Bryant wants D'antoni out

You can add Magic Johnson to the list of people who think that letting Phil Jackson go to New York and not return to the Lakers organization is a mistake. Johnson had himself a little Twitter barrage on Wednesday after word came out that Jackson had agreed to oversee the Knicks.

I love Jim & Jeanie Buss, but we need Phil Jackson to be the face of our great organization, the Los Angeles Lakers.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 12, 2014

Kobe Bryant is the face of the Lakers' team. Who is the face of the Lakers' organization?

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 12, 2014

In signing Phil Jackson Owner Jim Dolan & Steve Mills are saying to the Knicks fans, they're ready to win now!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 12, 2014

It's not the first time Johnson has questioned Lakers' leadersip and he's been hammering the younger Buss since his father passed away last year.

This comes after Kobe Bryant said earlier in the day that "it would be hard" to understand the Lakers not bringing Phil back and letting the Knicks do it.

"You know how I feel about Phil," said Bryant, who won all five of his championships with Jackson as the coach. "I have so much admiration for him and respect and I have a great relationship with him. Personally, it would be hard for me to understand that happening twice. It would be tough. I don't really get it."

via Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson challenge Los Angeles Lakers management - ESPN Los Angeles.

Bryant also questioned Lakers' leadership for the first time. All this while a report surfaced that Bryant has "no interest" in playing for Mike D'Antoni next year.

Here's what's interesting about all this. It comes as a reaction to the Knicks news. It's not "man, this team is terrible and has no support for Bryant signed long-term and no, seriously, Robert Sacre is starting." It's a reaction to Jackson going to New York. It took a team in a worse situation than LA getting the former franchise staple to bring out these criticisms.

Also, notice no one's talking about the challenges the Lakers face in building a future with Bryant's massive extension. The Lakers announced Wednesday Bryant is out for the season with his knee injury.

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com dives into the question of whether Lakers owner Jim Buss has lost the confidence of Bryant here.

Topics: Kobe Bryant, Robert Sacre, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, NBA

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