Dec 12, 2012 01:26 PM EST
Los Angeles Lakers News 2012: Magic Johnson Expresses Displeasure Of Mike D'Antoni's Use Of Pau Gasol

As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to lose games, Magic Johnson continues to rip them making sure his thoughts are heard.

After the firing of coach Mike Brown and the hiring of Mike D'Antoni over Phil Jackson, Johnson took to twitter to say he was in mourning because the Lakers didn't go with Jackson.

The Lakers were anticipated to be title contenders after acquiring Dwight Howard and Steve Nash over the summer, but their 9-13 record thus far has the faithful fans on Laker Nation angered and confuse, Johnson included.

According to the L.A. Times, Johnson doesn't blame the Lakers problems entirely on D'Antoni's offense, but at the same time believes it's time the new coach makes the adjustments necessary from his run-and-gun style to fit the style of the slower and older Lakers roster.

"His system doesn't fit the talent that the Lakers have," Johnson said. "You can't run with this team. Where are the runners? You got one dude who can get up and down the court and that's Kobe [Bryant]. Ron [Metta World Peace], love him, but he's slow. Both of our big men, not fast guys. [D'Antoni] has got to say, 'Maybe I should scale it back.' "

Johnson's biggest criticism of D'Antoni is on his use of forward Pau Gasol, who in his opinion was one of the most important pieces to the Lakers two championship runs.

"When Gasol was on that (low) block, he averaged 18 points, he shot 53 percent from the field and he still is the best passing big man in the game," Johnson said Tuesday, shortly after introducing Greinke at a news conference at Dodger Stadium. "But you have him at the free-throw line? That makes no sense. That's not his game.

"His game is to catch it on the low block, face his man, one dribble left or right. He's got great moves. But now all the blame is on his shoulders, like he's not performing well? He can't take that. That's not who he is.

"They've got to put him in a winning situation, because once Gasol starts to play well, I think the team will start to play well. Then you come in with Steve Nash. But you've got to get Gasol going. Gasol, to me, is the key to this whole thing. If you continue to have him at the 3-point line, he's not going to perform well."

Though he's not in complete panic mood just yet, Johnson admitted to being frustrated with the Lakers woes but has chosen to do as Kobe Bryant and remain patient with the hopes that they'll find the right solution.

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