Magic Johnson Video Shows Unwarranted NBA Finals Shot at LeBron James in Speech

LeBron James is a low-hanging fruit for Magic Johnson.

Everyone has enjoyed taking shots at James since his underwhelming performance in the Finals that has left Miami grasping at straws for answers for the future of the club, but I'd expect more from Johnson.

Seriously.

When watching the video where Johnson says that there are going to be "all of these guys who win championships," and then dramatically pauses before saying "except LeBron," he stutters, pauses and looks to the crowd for a reaction.

I guess people will do anything for a laugh these days.

The crowd in attendance predictably ate the joke up and greeted the punchline with roaring laughter, but at what juncture do the LeBron jokes get old and outdated?

James has made it a point this offseason to engage in a new strategy for his branding: taking shots at himself so the public has less fun doing so.

It began on Twitter, when James playfully tweeted that he had a dream his hairline had returned only to wake up and look in the mirror.

Brilliant.

As a follow up, James appeared in a McDonalds commercial, where he clearly poked fun at his promising multiple championships to the city of Miami upon landing with his new club.

Another excellent move from James.

So why would Johnson select now to make his jokes?

Because it's easy.

Johnson then launches into the infamous debate between who is better between James and Kobe Bryant, and cites Bryant's multiple championships as the differentiating factor between the two.

That's a fair point, but it mentions absolutely nothing to do with James or actual skills, and that's the basis for the entire discussion between the two players.

I don't mind the fact that Johnson wants to make a couple of jokes, because they're clearly harmless.

One can tell by the tone of his voice that there's no hate behind the words or disrespect meant, but why is Johnson even taking the time to rip on James?

The only person who can determine James' fate is James himself, as at the end of the day, he is the only person who will determine his ultimate path and legacy as a player when it's all said and done.

After his round of jokes has come to its conclusion, Johnson recognizes James as a triple-double threat on a nightly basis and states that he'll only continue to get better.

I can only hope the same can be said for Johnson's comedy act.