ESPN Bakersfield host Greg Kerr on Magic Johnson’s return to the Lakers

With NBA legend Magic Johnson formally returning to a management role with the Los Angeles Lakers, “The Greg Kerr Show” host Greg Kerr provided some suggestions about how to return the downtrodden franchise to glory.

“My first call would be to Jerry West,” Kerr said during the Feb. 21 airing of his show on 1230AM/98.1 FM ESPN Bakersfield. “In fact, I would drive to his house and go ‘Jerry please come back to the Lakers.”

West, of course, was responsible for building the powerful “Showtime” Lakers teams of the 1980s and drafting Kobe Bryant, who Johnson has said he would call for assistance.

“I wouldn’t even have Kobe on my speed dial,” Kerr said.

Johnson’s return was announced on Feb. 21 by the Jeannie Buss, the team’s governor. Johnson will serve as president of basketball operations and the team also announced that General Manager Mitch Kupchak was relieved of his duties.

“Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” Jeanie Buss said. “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. Our search for a new General Manager to work with Earvin and Coach Luke Walton is well underway and we hope to announce a new General Manager in short order. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new General Manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.”