Magic Johnson says Lakers need to have an Obama-like mind-set

Johnson had come to talk at halftime of the Lakers-Clippers game about how he and his wife, Cookie, cried when hearing that Barack Obama had become the president-elect Tuesday night and would become the first African American to hold the highest office in the United States.

Johnson spoke about how Obama was competitive from playing basketball and how he has that fire that burns deep inside.

In Johnson's eyes, the Lakers should have that same zest after losing to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

He recalled how the Lakers had the better team, but still lost to the Celtics in the 1984 Finals. He recalled how the Lakers came back the next year and beat the Celtics for the championship.

Johnson's team was on a mission in 1985, and that's what he wants to see from this talented squad.

"They have to remember that this is a business year, though," Johnson said.

"One thing that we always did is we always understood that it was a business year. . . . Like when the Celtics beat us in '84, we came back and made it a business year.

"Anything and everybody in front of us, we were going to destroy and we were going to get back to that Finals. So they've got to do the same thing. Everybody in front of them, they have to take them out and get back to that Finals to see if they can't win it all. So hopefully they'll be in that mind-set, and it looks like they have started that."

Magic on Barack

Johnson said he never thought he'd see an African American become president.

"Even when he was running, I had doubts that America was ready to vote for him and for an African American going to the Oval Office," Johnson said.

Johnson, who said he's not planning on running for office, said he would work in the private sector for Obama.

"You think about all the things that have happened to this country under President Bush, people want change," Johnson said. "Barack, he comes and he makes these incredible speeches and makes you want to be better. He's a motivator. He's a guy that has a plan. He's so disciplined, so you know he's going to stick to that plan. I feel it's going to work too."

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