There’s something so encouraging about compliments that everyone should experience. No matter who you are, your efforts deserve recognition. It goes without saying that since 2014, Adam Silver has worked relentlessly in making the league the finest in the world. From tweaks in regulations to game formats, expansion ideas, and more. No field has remained untouched in Silver’s reign. Now, as the second round of the Playoffs kicked off on Sunday with the Cavs vs. Pacers game, legend Magic Johnson has something to say.

Right after the LA Lakers lost the series to the Timberwolves, the 65-year-old icon congratulated Anthony Edwards & Co. for their outstanding performance. The Lakers legend couldn’t ignore the fact that his former team lacked physicality and defensive prowess. Now, moving on from the heartbreak, Magic Johnson had dropped a tweet again. However, Adam Silver is his muse this time.

On Monday, Johnson tweeted:

Simply put, Magic Johnson is applauding the NBA Commissioner for reshaping the league. Thanks to changes in salary cap and trade rules, small-market teams like OKC, Cleveland, and Indiana are now thriving. As a result, this year’s Playoffs have become some of the most exciting and competitive the NBA has seen in the past decade.

Meanwhile, the 2025 NBA Playoffs got off to a record-breaking start. The eight-game schedule averaged 4.4 million viewers, up 17% from last year. ESPN and ABC combined for 4.49 million viewers across six games. It was the most-watched opening weekend in ESPN’s playoff history. TNT, truTV, and Max averaged 4.13 million viewers for two games, their best in eight years.

Moreover, Game 1 between the Magic and Celtics drew 6.69 million viewers. It became the second most-watched First Round, Game 1 on ABC ever. On ESPN, the Pistons vs. Knicks Game 1 averaged 4.12 million viewers. That made it ESPN’s second-most-watched First Round, Game 1 in history. So, besides the salary cap tweaks, Adam Silver‘s efforts to raise the viewership and ratings seem to have worked out just in time. Meanwhile, one question, precisely for Magic Johnson, is: Does the Lakers’ exit doesn’t affect him?

Amidst praises for Adam Silver, does LA’s playoffs fiasco not bother Magic Johnson?

The Lakers were seen as strong contenders against the Timberwolves. But after five playoff games, they lost the series 4-1. Head coach JJ Redick’s strategies failed to impress. Magic Johnson didn’t hold back. He congratulated Minnesota and praised Alex Rodriguez, ANT, and the team. He tweeted that LA lost because of poor defense, small size, and paint domination by the Wolves. Fans were shocked to see the Lakers legend not defend his team.

Meanwhile, Magic Johnson sent two more tweets soon after. In one, he praised Mike Greenberg and Kendrick Perkins for calling out Redick’s flaws. Next, he applauded Jay Williams and Brian Windhorst for breaking down LA’s issues. Magic had also criticized the team after Game 1. He blamed their weak defense and lack of physicality. Another problem was the absence of a reliable center. So, you cannot truly say that the Lakers’ loss didn’t affect the legend, however, he didn’t let their flaws be ignored.

Though Magic Johnson cheered for progress, he didn’t turn a blind eye to failure. While praising Adam Silver’s vision and the league’s thrilling rise, he still called out the Lakers’ collapse. He applauded truth, not loyalty. So, amid records and reforms, one thing is clear—Magic won’t stay silent when greatness slips through the cracks.