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Magic Johnson: Reporter claps back at insult from Hall of Famer..six years later

By Alex Butler
Lonzo Ball reacts during a news conference introducing the Los Angeles Lakers draft pick on June 23 at the teams practice facility in El Segundo, Calif. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Lonzo Ball reacts during a news conference introducing the Los Angeles Lakers draft pick on June 23 at the teams practice facility in El Segundo, Calif. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Peter Vecsey broke the news of the NBA investigating the Los Angeles Lakers for tampering. He then dug up an old tweet from team president Magic Johnson.

Vecsey's report appeared at Patreon, where he wrote that the Indiana Pacers filed tampering charges against the Lakers in relation to the courting of All-Star Paul George.

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A day after he published the story, Vecsey found an old tweet from Johnson and replied.

"Is Peter Vecsey still on TV? That's right, no, because he wasn't very good," Johnson tweeted on June 17, 2011.

"Clearly, words from someone dumber than a stump!!!" Vecsey replied Sunday, more than six years after Johnson's jab.

When several Twitter users defended the basketball legend, Vecsey doubled down.

"Wow this sure makes your 'reporting' look bias. Interesting to call business maverick, part dodger owner & US icon Magic dumb," Jack Davis tweeted.

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"His words prove it," Vecsey responded.

Vecsey called another Twitter user oblivious.

Johnson, 58, was re-hired by the Lakers in February. He recently spent time vacationing with his best friend, Samuel L. Jackson, in Italy. He also vacationed aboard his yacht with his wife and three children.

George joined the Oklahoma City Thunder in June. Sources told ESPN that the NBA's investigation is centered on "possibility of impermissible contact" between George and Johnson. Johnson joked about recruiting George in February during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

"I wish I could talk about all of those guys," Johnson told Kimmel referring to free agents.

"But you'd be contract tampering," Kimmel said.

"Exactly," Johnson replied.

Johnson said he went to CBA school, contract school and tampering school. He told Kimmel that if he saw George, he couldn't ask him to come to the Lakers but he would be winking at the All-Star.

"As the NBA's statement made clear, we cannot comment about the specifics of any ongoing investigation," the Lakers said in a statement, according to the Southern California News Group.

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"We can confirm, however, that we are cooperating fully with the NBA in the hope of clearing our name as soon as possible."

George, 27, has a player option for $20.7 million next season. If he declines it, he will become a free agent next summer.

Vecsey did not contact any sources from the Lakers, Pacers or the NBA regarding the tampering investigation before publishing the story, according to The Big Lead.

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