Heat got to Lakers, Magic says

To start the National Basketball Association season,Magic Johnson knows why the Los Angeles Lakers are 8-0.

Before the team struggled to a 99-94 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves,the Lakers legend said on Tuesday,"Thanks to Miami."

Johnson said owner Jerry Buss decided to spend money this offseason when it became apparent the Miami Heat would try to become a power team by adding LeBron James and Chris Bosh to a roster that had Dwyane Wade.

"I don't think the mind-set would have been the same if Miami hadn't done what it did because what Miami did spark everybody," said Johnson, a Lakers vice-president who just sold his share of the team ownership. "It sparked Dr. Buss, because, remember, he was going to cut back, but he decided to spend the money, so give him a lot of credit, and then it just trickled all the way down. I think it sparked Phil (Jackson, the Lakers coach) too, and especially the best player in the world. Kobe (Bryant) has now got everybody else on the same page."

Johnson, who helped the Lakers to five NBA titles in the 1980s, said this squad could be "just as good as all those teams," when injured centre Andrew Bynum returns.