Magic Johnson Defends Former Laker Teammate

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson asked U.S. District Court  to give his former Michigan State and Laker teammate, Jay Vincent, a lesser prison sentence. Johnson told the judge to give Vincent a “second chance and a light sentence” and have “mercy” on his long-time friend.

Vincent played for the Lakers from 1989-90 and will be sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker. The government said Vincent’s business, Foreclosure Bank Inspection Co., advertised for foreclosed home inspectors, required prospective inspectors to pay $149 for non-existent insurance and $89 for a background check.

Although he understands Vincent has committed a crime, Johnson praised Vincent for paying back the victims and described him as “an incredible teammate with a tremendous heart.”

“With all due respect to the parties involved, and my heart goes out to them,” Johnson reportedly wrote. “I ask again that you consider his time served and have mercy on him and not allow this one incident of bad decision making to change the course of his life.”