Magic Johnson is bracing himself for a rough season. He might be part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who just went to the National League Championship Series, but he'll always be a Lakers fan, and their prospects don't look as rosy.

"Laker fans are spoiled. I don't know how they're going to react now, because this is going to be a tough season," Johnson said Tuesday afternoon during an hourlong interview on the "Max and Marcellus Show" on ESPNLA 710 radio. "This is going to be one of the roughest seasons that the Lakers have ever faced. You're waiting on Kobe [Bryant] to see if he can get healthy. Nobody knows if he can be what he was. Then you've got [Pau] Gasol -- who I think is a premier big man -- but he plays better when he has talent around him.

"You've got guys who are all on one-year contracts, and all were journeymen on other teams. Laker fans are not used to that. I don't know if they're going to buy into that. We're going to see. If you want the Laker fans to really buy in and be involved, you're going to have to win right away. I don't see that happening. The West is tough this year."

What does Johnson see?

"I'm hoping that they at least make the playoffs," Johnson said. "But that's going to be tough, especially without Kobe. We have to see what Kobe we're going to get. Is he going to be that same Kobe or is he going to be hurt a little bit?"

Johnson said he thought Bryant could still come back from his ruptured Achilles tendon and be a "dominant player" but might need to "give up some of those shots" to his teammates to get them going.

"Kobe can get 30 or 40," Johnson said. "But you have to remember, you need at least three guys who can score. Right now I'm looking at that roster and going, 'Who else is going to get you 15-20 a night besides Gasol and Kobe?' "

When asked if he would be willing to be part of the Lakers' recruiting pitch to potential free agents next summer, Johnson said he would always help the Lakers if they should ever call upon him. Johnson sold his ownership stake in the Lakers in 2010 and is no longer officially affiliated with the team.

"This summer is going to be a crucial summer for the Lakers," Johnson said. "They have all that cap space. Hopefully [Lakers executive Jim Buss] has a plan. His dad [the late Dr. Jerry Buss] would've had a plan two years ago."