Listless Lakers look to a legend

Johnson's first pep talk strikes a chord with struggling squad

EL SEGUNDO, California - The young, struggling Los Angeles Lakers were mesmerized by some Magic on Wednesday, still reeling from a front-office upheaval and the trade of leading scorer Lou Williams.

Laker legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, hired on Tuesday as president of basketball operations, addressed the team before practice, and his words of wisdom struck a chord.