Magic Johnson may no longer be the Los Angeles Lakers' president of basketball operations, but he believes he's largely responsible for the club's 24-4 start to the season.

"This team would not be in the position it's in without me," Johnson told Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times.

Johnson cited his free-agency recruitment of LeBron James, the cap-clearing moves he and general manager Rob Pelinka made to accommodate James' contract, and drafting the assets needed to complete the Anthony Davis blockbuster deal for getting the Lakers to where they are now.

"This was my strategy, this is what I thought we'd be in three years," Johnson said. "I knew we were on the right track. Everybody wanted to do it their way, but I'm good with who I am. ... I think people respect what I've done for the team."

Johnson abruptly resigned from his post prior to the Lakers' final 2018-19 regular-season game, holding an impromptu press conference without notifying Pelinka or controlling owner and governor Jeanie Buss.

Over a month later, Johnson appeared on ESPN's "First Take" to clear the air regarding his resignation. During the hour-long interview, he accused Pelinka of backstabbing him and questioned Buss' management skills.