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Report: LeBron thought Magic 'did well' in TV interview

Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

By his own account, LeBron James was stunned by Magic Johnson's sudden resignation as Los Angeles Lakers president on April 9. Now, almost two months later, it seems James was pleased with Johnson's now-infamous TV appearance on Monday, in which he eviscerated the Lakers and GM Rob Pelinka.

A source close to LeBron told ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk that James thought Johnson "did well" during his appearance on ESPN's "First Take."

Among other things, Johnson accused Pelinka of stabbing him in the back and questioned team owner Jeanie Buss's management skills. One figure he did not criticize was James, whom Johnson signed as a free agent last summer.

"I respect LeBron for what he just said," Johnson said during Monday's appearance after ESPN played a clip from James' show "The Shop," where LeBron wished Magic had notified him of his resignation beforehand.

"I love LeBron, I love his family ... but sometimes as a man, you have to make decisions based on your well-being. And I made that decision."

James spent Monday on the sidelines of the Lakers' news conference in which Pelinka introduced Frank Vogel as the team's new head coach. James didn't speak to media, but Vogel said the two have talked, saying, "I'm looking forward to getting started with him."

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