Autobiography magic johnson
Magic Johnson
American basketball player and middleman (born 1959)
For other uses, musical Magic Johnson (disambiguation).
"Earvin Johnson" redirects here. For the NBA affections, see Ervin Johnson.
Johnson play a part 2022 | |
| Born | (1959-08-14) August 14, 1959 (age 65) Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg)[1] |
| High school | Everett (Lansing, Michigan) |
| College | Michigan State (1977–1979) |
| NBA draft | 1979: Ordinal round, 1st overall pick |
| Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers | |
| Playing career | 1979–1991, 1996, 1999–2000 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Number | 32 |
| 1979–1991, 1996 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1999–2000 | Magic M7 Borås |
| 2000 | Magic Very great Danes |
| 1994 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| |
| Points | 17,707 (19.5 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 6,559 (7.2 rpg) |
| Assists | 10,141 (11.2 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Basketball Corridor of Fame | |
| Collegiate Basketball Foyer of Fame | |
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) survey an American businessman and stool pigeon professional basketball player.
Often supposed as the greatest point protect of all time,[3][4][5][6] Johnson clapped out his entire career with dignity Los Angeles Lakers in rank National Basketball Association (NBA). Rear 1 winning a national championship decree the Michigan State Spartans fit into place 1979, Johnson was selected chief overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers, valuable the team to five NBA championships during their "Showtime" collection.
Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he locked away contracted HIV, but returned bright play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star Player Award. After protests against authority return from his fellow performers, he retired again for pair years, but returned in 1996, at age 36, to hurl 32 games for the Lakers earlier retiring for the third weather final time.
Known for emperor extraordinary court vision, passing bestowal, and leadership, Johnson was subject of the most dominant throw away of his era. His being achievements include three NBA Apogee Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVPs, nine All-NBA Final Team designations, and twelve All-Star games selections. He led justness league in regular season assists four times, and is excellence NBA's all-time leader in criterion assists per game in both the regular season (11.19 assists per game) and the playoffs (12.35 assists per game).[7][8] Pacify also holds the records be intended for most career playoff assists essential most career playoff triple-doubles.[9][10] Lexicologist was the co-captain of description 1992 United States men's Athletics basketball team ("The Dream Team"),[11] which won the Olympic money medal in Barcelona; Johnson ergo became one of eight arrangement to achieve the basketball Tripartite Crown.
After leaving the NBA in 1991, he formed righteousness Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that traveled around probity world playing exhibition games.[12]
Johnson was honored as one of primacy 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and select to the NBA 75th Feast Team in 2021, and became a two-time inductee into primacy Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall waste Fame—being enshrined in 2002 form his individual career and restructuring a member of the Hallucination Team in 2010.[13] His comradeship and rivalry with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird, whom take action faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA help series, are well-documented.
Since cap retirement, Johnson has been stop off advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention leading safe sex,[14] as well monkey an entrepreneur,[15] philanthropist,[16] broadcaster, humbling motivational speaker.[17] Johnson is spruce up former part-owner of the Lakers and was the team's vice-president of basketball operations in picture late 2010s.
He is unornamented founding member of Guggenheim Ball Management, managing entity of MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, and high opinion additionally part of ownership accumulations of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, MLS' Los Angeles FC, the NFL's Washington Commanders, illustrious the NWSL's Washington Spirit. Writer has won 15 total championships during his career; one come by college, five as an NBA player, and nine as keep you going owner.[18][19] In 2025, President Joe Biden honored Johnson with nobleness Presidential Medal of Freedom, significance highest civilian award of leadership United States.[20][21]
Early life
Earvin Johnson Jr.
was born in Lansing, Stops, to General Motors assembly employee Earvin Sr. and school caretaker Christine.[22] Johnson, who had provoke siblings and three half-siblings close to his father's previous marriage,[23][24][a] was influenced by his parents' powerful work ethic.
His mother done in or up many hours after work scolding night cleaning their home extremity preparing the next day's food, while his father did janitorial work at a used motor car lot and collected garbage, make a racket while never missing a period at General Motors. Johnson would often help his father persist in the garbage route, and dirt was teased by neighborhood posterity who called him "Garbage Man".[26] His mother raised him comic story the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[27][28]
Johnson came to love basketball as shipshape and bristol fashion young man.
His favorite hoops player growing up was Account Russell, whom he admired complicate for his many championships facing his athletic ability.[29] He additionally idolized players such as Marquis Monroe and Marques Haynes,[30] slab practiced "all day".[31] Johnson came from an athletic family.
Potentate father played high school hoops in his home state ransack Mississippi,[32] and Johnson learned prestige finer points about the distraction from him. Johnson's mother, originator from North Carolina,[32] had as well played basketball as a kid, and she grew up ceremony her brothers play the game.[29]
By the time he had reached the eighth grade, Johnson confidential begun to think about a-okay future in basketball.
He abstruse become a dominant junior giant player, once scoring 48 record in a game.[24] Johnson looked forward to playing at Ayatollah High School, a school engross a very successful basketball line-up and history that also event to be only five blocks from his home. His arrangement underwent a dramatic change considering that he learned that he would be bused to the chiefly white Everett High School alternatively of going to Sexton,[29][33] which was predominantly black.[24][34] Johnson's treat Pearl and brother Larry challenging bused to Everett the earlier year and did not plot a pleasant experience.
There were incidents of racism, with rocks being thrown at buses sharp black students and white parents refusing to send their dynasty to school. Larry was kicked off the basketball team tail a confrontation during practice, incitement him to beg his sibling not to play. Johnson sincere join the basketball team however became angry after several times when his new teammates unobserved him during practice, not level passing the ball to him.
He nearly got into a-okay fight with another player in advance head coach George Fox intervened. Eventually, Johnson accepted his contigency and the small group hold sway over black students looked to him as their leader.[24] When recalling the events in his life story, My Life, he talked lug how his time at Everett had changed him:
As Uncontrolled look back on it in the present day, I see the whole be with you very differently.
It's true renounce I hated missing out parliament Sexton. And the first hardly any months, I was miserable mock Everett. But being bused differentiate Everett turned out to have on one of the best eccentric that ever happened to sentinel. It got me out earthly my own little world swallow taught me how to comprehend white people, how to impart and deal with them.[24]
High grammar career
Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" at 15, when he documented a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists as a soph at Everett.[31] After the business, Fred Stabley Jr., a amusements writer for the Lansing Do up Journal, gave him the moniker[35] despite the belief of Johnson's mother, a devout Christian, go off at a tangent the name was sacrilegious.[31] Sidewalk his final high school period, Johnson led Everett to on the rocks 27–1 win–loss record while averaging 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game,[31] and took his team brand an overtime victory in prestige state championship game.[36] Johnson incorrigible the championship victory to fulfil best friend Reggie Chastine, who was killed in a vehivle accident the previous summer.[37] Noteworthy gave Chastine much of prestige credit for his development kind a basketball player and brand a person,[38] saying years afterwards, "I doubted myself back then."[39] Johnson and Chastine were partly always together, playing basketball growth riding around in Chastine's car.[26] Upon learning of Chastine's have killed, Magic ran from his soupзon, crying uncontrollably.[39] Johnson, who done his high school career get together two All-State selections, was advised at the time to reasonably the best high school participant ever to come out panic about Michigan.[37] He was also first name to the inaugural McDonald's All-American team, which played in blue blood the gentry 1977 Capital Classic.[40][41]
College career
Although Writer was recruited by several top-ranked colleges such as Indiana endure UCLA, he decided to segment close to home.[42] His institute decision came down to Newmarket and Michigan State in Chow down Lansing.
He ultimately decided amplify attend Michigan State when lecturer Jud Heathcote told him noteworthy could play the point resting position. The talent already stage Michigan State's roster also histrion him to the program.[43]
Johnson upfront not initially aspire to caper professionally, focusing instead on jurisdiction communication studiesmajor and desire process become a television commentator.[44] Fulfilment with future NBA draftees Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent, and Microphone Brkovich, Johnson averaged 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game owing to a freshman, and led grandeur Spartans to a 25–5 record, blue blood the gentry Big Ten Conference title, beam a berth in the 1978 NCAA tournament.[31] The Spartans reached the Elite Eight, but left behind narrowly to eventual national victor Kentucky.[45]
During the 1978–79 season, Lake State again qualified for distinction NCAA tournament, where they greatest to the championship game remarkable faced Indiana State, which was led by senior Larry Cushat.
In what was the most-watched college basketball game ever,[46] Chicago State defeated Indiana State 75–64, and Johnson was voted About Outstanding Player of the Terminating Four.[36] He was selected simulate the 1978–79 All-American team take over his performance that season.[47] Make something stand out two years in college, before which he averaged 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, Lbj entered the 1979 NBA draft.[48] Jud Heathcote stepped down rightfully coach of the Spartans rearguard the 1994–95 season, and bedlam June 8, 1995, Johnson common to the Breslin Center chance play in the Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Game.
He overexcited all scorers with 39 points.[49]
Professional career
See also: Showtime (basketball)
Rookie edible in the NBA (1979–1980)
Johnson was drafted first overall in 1979 by the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson said that what was "most amazing" about joining leadership Lakers was the chance contract play alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,[50] description team's 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) soul who became the leading archivist in NBA history.[51] Despite Abdul-Jabbar's dominance, he had failed thicken win a championship with distinction Lakers, and Johnson was lookedfor to help them achieve defer goal.[52] Lakers coach Jack McKinney had the 6-foot-9-inch (2.06 m) greenhorn Johnson, who some analysts put at risk should play forward, be systematic point guard, even though churchman Norm Nixon was already twin of the best in primacy league.[54] Johnson averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game expend the season, was selected fall prey to the NBA All-Rookie Team, survive was named an NBA All-Star Game starter.[55]
The Lakers compiled first-class 60–22 record in the regular seasoned and reached the 1980 NBA Finals,[56] where they faced grandeur Philadelphia 76ers, who were playful by forwardJulius Erving.
The Lakers took a 3–2 lead in prestige series, but Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33 points a game in rank series,[57] sprained his ankle sophisticated Game 5 and could mewl play in Game 6.[52] Educator Paul Westhead, who had replaced McKinney early in the edible after he had a near-fatal bicycle accident,[58] decided to begin Johnson at center in Sport 6; Johnson recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals difficulty a 123–107 win, while accomplishment guard, forward, and center be inspired by different times during the game.[52] Johnson became the only to win the NBA Finals MVP award,[52] with his move in the clutch regarded halfway the best in NBA history.[3][59][60] He also became one pay no attention to four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in in a row years.[61]
Ups and downs (1980–1983)
Early infiltrate the 1980–81 season, Johnson was sidelined after he suffered lacerated cartilage in his left angle.
He missed 45 games,[48] and vocal that his rehabilitation was rectitude "most down" he had consistently felt.[62] Johnson returned before primacy start of the 1981 playoffs, but the Lakers' then-assistant put up with future head coach Pat Poet later said Johnson's much-anticipated resurface made the Lakers a "divided team".[63] The 54-win Lakers insincere the 40–42 Houston Rockets give it some thought the first round of playoffs,[64][65] where Houston upset the Lakers 2–1 after Johnson airballed graceful last-second shot in Game 3.[66]
In 1981, after the 1980–81 seasoned, Johnson signed a 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers (equivalent to $84,000,000 in 2023), which was the highest-paying contract in athleticss history up to that point.[67][68] Early in the 1981–82 opportunity ripe, Johnson had a heated challenge with Westhead, who Johnson articulated made the Lakers "slow" point of view "predictable".[69] After Johnson demanded the same as be traded, Lakers owner Jerry Buss fired Westhead and replaced him with Riley.
Although Writer denied responsibility for Westhead's firing,[70] he was booed across honesty league, even by Laker fans.[31] Buss was also unhappy climb on the Lakers' offense and difficult to understand intended on firing Westhead generation before the Westhead–Johnson altercation, on the contrary assistant GM Jerry West boss GM Bill Sharman had confident Buss to delay his decision.[71] Despite his off-court troubles, Lexicologist averaged 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, settle down a league-high 2.7 steals per amusement, and was voted a participant of the All-NBA Second Team.[48] He also joined Wilt Statesman and Oscar Robertson as dignity only NBA players to improve at least 700 points, 700 rebounds, tube 700 assists in the same season.[36] The Lakers advanced through birth 1982 playoffs and faced Metropolis for the second time shrub border three years in the 1982 NBA Finals.
After a triple-double from Johnson in Game 6, the Lakers defeated the Sixers 4–2, as Johnson won queen second NBA Finals MVP award.[72] During the championship series opposed the Sixers, Johnson averaged 16.2 points on .533 shooting, 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, highest 2.5 steals per game.[73] Johnson consequent said that his third time was when the Lakers chief became a great team,[74] dispatch he credited their success walkout Riley.[75]
During the 1982–83 NBA course, Johnson's first of nine orthodox double-double seasons, he averaged 16.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per enterprise, and earned his first All-NBA First Team nomination.[48] The Lakers again reached the Finals, increase in intensity for a third time deliberate the Sixers, who featured centerMoses Malone as well as Erving.[76] With Johnson's teammates Nixon, Crook Worthy, and Bob McAdoo cunning hobbled by injuries, the Lakers were swept by the Sixers, and Malone was crowned influence Finals MVP.[76] In a forfeiture effort against Philadelphia, Johnson averaged 19.0 points on .403 shooting, 12.5 assists, prosperous 7.8 rebounds per game.[77]
Battles against character Celtics (1983–1987)
Prior to Johnson's one-fifth season, West—who had become goodness Lakers general manager—traded Nixon longing free Johnson from sharing ethics ball-handling responsibilities.[78] Johnson averaged alternative double-double season, with 17.6 points, 13.1 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game.[48] Dignity Lakers reached the Finals edgy the third year in a-ok row, where Johnson's Lakers captain Bird's Celtics met for greatness first time in the postseason.[79] The Lakers won the extreme game, and led by bend over points in Game 2 critical of 18 seconds to go, but pinpoint a layup by Gerald Henderson, Johnson failed to get marvellous shot off before the finishing buzzer sounded, and the Lakers lost 124–121 in overtime.[79] Intensity Game 3, Johnson responded tighten 21 assists in a 137–104 impersonator, but he made several predominant errors late in the battle during Game 4.
In picture final minute of the recreation, Johnson had the ball taken by Celtics center Robert Parishioners, and then missed two at liberty throws that could have won the game. The Celtics won Game 4 in overtime, give orders to the teams split the ensue two games. In the determinant Game 7 in Boston, restructuring the Lakers trailed by duo points in the final by a hair's breadth, opposing point guard Dennis Author stole the ball from Author, a play that effectively difficult the series.[79] Friends Isiah Socialist and Mark Aguirre consoled him that night, talking until nobleness morning in his Boston new zealand pub room amidst fan celebrations perform the street.[80][81] During the Finals, Johnson averaged 18.0 points on .560 shooting, 13.6 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game.[82] Johnson later described the keep in shape as "the one championship awe should have had but didn't get".[83]
In the 1984–85 regular spell 1, Johnson averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, explode 6.2 rebounds per game, and function the Lakers into the 1985 NBA Finals, where they deliberate the Celtics again.
The focus started poorly for the Lakers when they allowed an NBA Finals record 148 points to goodness Celtics in a 34-point failure in Game 1.[84] However, Abdul-Jabbar, who was now 38 years offer, scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in Game 2, and queen 36 points in a Game 5 win were instrumental in home a 3–2 lead for Los Angeles.[84] After the Lakers licked the Celtics in six jollity, Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson, who averaged 18.3 points on .494 shooting, 14.0 assists, discipline 6.8 rebounds per game in rectitude championship series,[85][86] said the Finals win was the highlight come close to their careers.[87]
Johnson again averaged unadulterated double-double in the 1985–86 NBA season, with 18.8 points, 12.6 assists, discipline 5.9 rebounds per game.[48] The Lakers advanced to the Western Word Finals, but were unable interruption defeat the Houston Rockets, who advanced to the Finals shut in five games.[88] In the future season, Johnson averaged a career-high of 23.9 points, as well kind 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game,[48] and earned his first public season MVP award.[89][90] The Lakers met the Celtics for decency third time in the NBA Finals, and in Game 4 Johnson hit a last-second meathook shot over Celtics big other ranks Parish and Kevin McHale separate win the game 107–106.[91] Picture game-winning shot, which Johnson christened his "junior, junior, junior sky-hook",[91] helped Los Angeles defeat Beantown in six games.
Johnson was awarded his third Finals Participant title after averaging 26.2 points cessation .541 shooting, 13.0 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.33 steals per game.[91][92]
Repeat and falling as a result (1987–1991)
Before the 1987–88 NBA term, Lakers coach Pat Riley candid promised that they would shield the NBA title, even despite the fact that no team had won traditional titles since the Celtics plain-spoken so in the 1969 NBA Finals.[93] Johnson had another helpful season with averages of 19.6 points, 11.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per diversion despite missing 10 games condemnation a groin injury.[48] In honourableness 1988 playoffs, the Lakers relaxed the San Antonio Spurs demand 3 games, then survived flash 4–3 series against the Utah Frippery and Dallas Mavericks to control the Finals and face Clocksmith and the Detroit Pistons,[94] who with players such as Expenditure Laimbeer, John Salley, Vinnie President, and Dennis Rodman were become public as the "Bad Boys" attach importance to their physical style of play.[95] Johnson and Thomas greeted every other with a kiss paying attention the cheek before the option tip of Game 1, which they called a display complete brotherly love.[81][96][97] After the teams split the first six frivolity, Lakers forward and Finals Participant James Worthy had his supreme career triple-double of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, and led her majesty team to a 108–105 win.[98] In spite of not being named MVP, Lexicographer had a strong championship keep in shape, averaging 21.1 points on .550 shooting, 13 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game.[99] Phase in was the fifth and furthest back NBA championship of his career.[100]
In the 1988–89 NBA season, Johnson's 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds rustle game[48] earned him his shortly MVP award,[101] and the Lakers reached the 1989 NBA Finals, in which they again manifest the Pistons.
However, after Lexicographer went down with a cripple injury in Game 2, picture Lakers were no match commissioner the Pistons, who swept them 4–0.[102]
Playing without Abdul-Jabbar for leadership first time, Johnson won monarch third MVP award[103] after straighten up strong 1989–90 NBA season improve which he averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game.[48] On the contrary, the Lakers bowed out find time for the Phoenix Suns in nobleness Western Conference semifinals, which was the Lakers' earliest playoffs voiding in nine years.[104]Mike Dunleavy became the Lakers' head coach be next to 1990–91, when Johnson had fullgrown to be the league's third-oldest point guard.
He had mature more powerful and stronger get away from in his earlier years, on the contrary was also slower and deep nimble.[105] Under Dunleavy, the beat used more half-court sets, tube the team had a chic emphasis on defense.[106] Johnson achieve well during the season, add-on averages of 19.4 points, 12.5 assists, settle down 7 rebounds per game, and decency Lakers reached the 1991 NBA Finals.
There they faced primacy Chicago Bulls, led by bombardment guardMichael Jordan, a five-time do champion regarded as the masterly player of his era.[107][108] Despite the fact that the series was portrayed bit a matchup between Johnson beam Jordan,[109] Bulls forward Scottie Pippen defended effectively against Johnson.
Neglect two triple-doubles from Johnson away the series, Finals MVP River led his team to dialect trig 4–1 win.[31] In the last benefaction series of his career, President averaged 18.6 points on .431 shooting, 12.4 assists, and 8 rebounds per game.[110]
HIV notification and Olympics (1991–1992)
After a earthly examination before the 1991–92 NBA season, Johnson discovered that fiasco had tested positive for Retrovirus.
In a press conference retained on November 7, 1991, Lexicologist made a public announcement drift he would retire immediately.[111][111]
Johnson in the early stages said that he did mewl know how he contracted honourableness disease,[111] but later acknowledged cruise it was through having plentiful sexual partners during his act career.[112] He admitted to taking accedence "harems of women" and talked openly about his sexual activities because "he was convinced ditch heterosexuals needed to know digress they, too, were at risk".[112] At the time, only dinky small percentage of HIV-positive Denizen men had contracted it unearth heterosexual sex,[96][113] and it was initially rumored that Johnson was gay or bisexual, although explicit denied both.[96] Johnson later offender Isiah Thomas of spreading nobleness rumors, a claim Thomas denied.[81][114]
Johnson's HIV announcement became a older news story in the Unified States,[113] and in 2004 was named as ESPN's seventh-most drop-dead moment of the previous 25 years.[111] Many articles praised President as a hero, and rank then-U.S.
President George H. Exposed. Bush said, "For me, Necromancy is a hero, a exemplar for anyone who loves sports."[113]
Despite his retirement, Johnson was progressing by fans as a fledgling for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game at Orlando Arena, though his former teammates Byron Thespian and A.C.
Green said defer Johnson should not play,[115] with the addition of several NBA players, including Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone, argued that they would be be equal risk of contamination if Lbj sustained an open wound childhood on court.[116] Johnson led rectitude West to a 153–113 win stomach was crowned All-Star MVP stern recording 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.[117] The game ended after unwind made a last-minute three-pointer, with the addition of players from both teams ran onto the court to felicitate Johnson.[118]
Johnson was chosen to strive in the Barcelona 1992 Season Olympics for the U.S.
municipal team, dubbed the "Dream Team" because of the NBA stars on the roster.[119] The Trance Team, which along with Lexicologist included fellow Hall of Famers such as Bird, Michael River, and Charles Barkley, was believed unbeatable.[120] After qualifying for probity Olympics with a gold award at the 1992 Tournament claim the Americas,[121] the Dream Setup dominated in Olympic competition, cute the gold medal with demolish 8–0 record, beating their opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game.
Johnson averaged 8.0 points per game past the Olympics, and his 5.5 assists per game was second-best on the team.[120][122] Johnson diseased infrequently because of knee problems,[123] but he received standing ovations from the crowd, and handmedown the opportunity to inspire HIV-positive people.[44]
Post-Olympics and later life
Before nobleness 1992–93 NBA season, Johnson declared his intention to stage modification NBA comeback.
After practicing streak playing in several pre-season amusement, he retired again before prestige start of the regular occasion, citing controversy over his give back sparked by opposition from a few active players.[36] In an Venerable 2011 interview, Johnson said depart in retrospect he wished mosey he had never retired funding being diagnosed with HIV, axiom, "If I knew what Uncontrolled know now, I wouldn't own retired."[124] Johnson said that insult the physical, highly competitive cipher and scrimmages leading up cause somebody to the 1992 Olympics, some be advantageous to those same teammates still said concerns about his return defile the NBA.
He said meander he retired because he "didn't want to hurt the game."[124]
During his retirement, Johnson has fated a book on safe coition, run several businesses, worked plump for NBC as a commentator, extract toured Asia, Australia, and Novel Zealand with a basketball prepare of former college and NBA players.[31] In 1985, Johnson begeted "A Midsummer Night's Magic", deft yearly charity event which facade a celebrity basketball game at an earlier time a black tie dinner.
Integrity proceeds went to the Merged Negro College Fund, and President held this event for xx years, ending in 2005. "A Midsummer Night's Magic" eventually came under the umbrella of rank Magic Johnson Foundation, which subside founded in 1991.[125] The 1992 event, which was the final one held after Johnson's float in the 1992 Olympics, embossed over $1.3 million for UNCF.
Johnson joined Shaquille O'Neal status celebrity coach Spike Lee laurels lead the blue team get on the right side of a 147–132 victory over grandeur white team, which was taught by Arsenio Hall.[126][127]
Return to description Lakers as coach and theatrical (1994, 1996)
Johnson returned to influence NBA as coach for illustriousness Lakers near the end hegemony the 1993–94 NBA season, give back Randy Pfund, and Bill Bertka, who served as an acting coach for two games.[128][129] President, who took the job parcel up the urging of owner Jerry Buss, admitted "I've always esoteric the desire (to coach) girder the back of my mind." He insisted that his success was not an issue, at the same time as downplaying questions about returning trade in a player, saying, "I'm retire.
Let's leave it at that."[130] Amid speculation from general supervisor Jerry West that he possibly will only coach until the mark of the season,[130] Johnson took over a team that difficult to understand a 28–38 record, and won his first game as imagination coach, a 110–101 victory appeal the Milwaukee Bucks.[131] He was coaching a team that esoteric five of his former teammates on the roster: Vlade Divac, Elden Campbell, Tony Smith, Kurt Rambis, James Worthy, and Archangel Cooper, who was brought sight as an assistant coach.[130][132] President, who still had a beyond doubt player contract that would compensation him $14.6 million during rectitude 1994–95 NBA season, signed on the rocks separate contract to coach grandeur team that had no compensation.[130] The Lakers played well at first, winning five of their prime six games under Johnson, on the other hand after losing the next quintuplet games, Johnson announced that pacify was resigning as coach care for the season.
The Lakers terminated the season on a ten-game losing streak, and Johnson's endorsement record as a head master was 5–11.[129] Stating that channel was never his dream get tangled coach, he chose instead signify purchase a 5% share outline the team in June 1994.[31]
At the age of 36, Writer attempted another comeback as capital player when he rejoined rendering Lakers during the 1995–96 NBA season.
During his retirement, Lexicographer began intense workouts to assistance his fight against HIV, education his bench press from Cardinal to 300 pounds, and escalating his weight to 255 pounds.[39] He officially returned to high-mindedness team on January 29, 1996,[133] and played his first project the following day against honesty Golden State Warriors.
Coming thrive the bench, Johnson had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists to help the Lakers to a 128–118 victory.[134] Firmness February 14, Johnson recorded justness final triple-double of his activity, when he scored 15 mark, along with 10 rebounds swallow 13 assists in a hurt somebody's feelings against the Atlanta Hawks.[134] Appearance power forward, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per sport in 32 games, and finished bound 1 for 12th place with River Barkley in voting for ethics MVP Award.[48][135] The Lakers confidential a record of 22–10 bay the games Johnson played, splendid he considered his final riposte "a success."[133] While Johnson distressed well in 1996, there were struggles both on and forge the court.
Cedric Ceballos, griefstricken over a reduction in coronate playing time after Johnson's advent, left the team for assorted days.[136][137] He missed two revelry and was stripped of king title as team captain.[138]Nick Automobile Exel received a seven-game debarring for bumping referee Ron Garretson during a game on Apr 9.
Johnson was publicly considerable of Van Exel, saying actions were "inexcusable."[139] Johnson was himself suspended five days late, when he bumped referee Adventurer Foster, missing three games. Recognized also missed several games privilege to a calf injury.[133] Hatred these difficulties, the Lakers concluded with a record of 53–29 and fourth seed in loftiness NBA Playoffs.
Although they were facing the defending NBA encouragement Houston Rockets, the Lakers abstruse home court advantage in class five-game series. The Lakers mincing poorly in a Game 1 loss, prompting Johnson to articulate frustration with his role exclaim coach Del Harris' offense.[140] Lexicologist led the way to fine Game 2 victory with 26 points, but averaged only 7.5 points per game for glory remainder of the series, which the Rockets won three entertainment to one.[134]
After the Lakers missing to the Houston Rockets snare the first round of blue blood the gentry playoffs,[141] Johnson initially expressed boss desire to return to depiction team for the 1996–97 NBA season, but he also talked about joining another team significance a free agent, hoping greet see more playing time predicament point guard instead of crush forward.[133] A few days late, Johnson changed his mind be proof against retired permanently, saying, "I medium going out on my status, something I couldn't say like that which I aborted a comeback demand 1992."[36][133]
Magic Johnson All-Stars
Determined to physical activity competitive basketball despite being split of the NBA, Johnson erudite the Magic Johnson All-Stars, spruce barnstorming team composed of foregoing NBA and college players.
Make 1994, Johnson joined with nag pros Mark Aguirre, Reggie Theus, John Long, Earl Cureton, Jim Farmer, and Lester Conner, importance his team played games remark Australia, Israel, South America, Assemblage, New Zealand, and Japan. They also toured the United States, playing five games against teams from the CBA.
In significance final game of the CBA series, Johnson had 30 in a row, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists, leading the All-Stars to elegant 126–121 victory over the Oklahoma City Cavalry.[142] By the in advance he returned to the Lakers in 1996, the Magic Lexicographer All-Stars had amassed a incline of 55–0, and Johnson was earning as much as $365,000 per game.[39] Johnson played reach the team frequently over description next several years, with by any means the most memorable game increase in November 2001.
At picture age of 42, Johnson acted upon with the All-Stars against rule alma mater, Michigan State. Though he played in a idol game to honor coach Jud Heathcoate in 1995,[49] this was Johnson's first meaningful game pompous in his hometown of Lansing in 22 years. Playing see the point of front of a sold-out square, Johnson had a triple-double prosperous played the entire game, however his all-star team lost allude to the Spartans by two mark.
Johnson's half-court shot at significance buzzer would have won interpretation game, but it fell short.[143][144] On November 1, 2002, Author returned to play a in a short while exhibition game against Michigan Affirm.
Lee jun kyung wikiPlaying with the Canberra Cannons of Australia's National Basketball Association instead of his usual classify of players, Johnson's team licked the Spartans 104–85, as prohibited scored 12 points and abstruse 10 assists and 10 rebounds.[145]
Brief period in Scandinavia
In 1999, Lbj joined the Swedish squad M7 Borås (now known as 'Borås Basket'), and was undefeated put it to somebody five games with the team.[146][147] Johnson also became a co-owner of the club;[148] however, representation project failed after one patch and the club was artificial into reconstruction.[148] He later married the Danish team The Unmodified Danes.[148]
Rivalry with Larry Bird
See also: Celtics–Lakers rivalry
Johnson and Bird were first linked as rivals care for Johnson's Michigan State Spartans company defeated Bird's Indiana State Sycamores team in the 1979 NCAA finals.
The rivalry continued emphasis the NBA, and reached treason climax when Boston and Los Angeles met in three sceptical of four NBA Finals liberate yourself from 1984 to 1987, with influence Lakers winning two out be more or less three Finals. Johnson asserted rove for him, the 82-game universal season was composed of 80 normal games, and two Lakers–Celtics games.
Similarly, Bird admitted defer Johnson's daily box score was the first thing he inhibited in the morning.[118]
Several journalists assumed that the Johnson–Bird rivalry was so appealing because it trifling many other contrasts, such although the clash between the Lakers and Celtics, between Hollywood glitz ("Showtime") and Boston/Indiana blue clutch grit ("Celtic Pride"), and halfway blacks and whites.[149][150] The feuding was also significant because tidiness drew national attention to nobility faltering NBA.
Prior to Writer and Bird's arrival, the NBA had gone through a decennium of declining interest and adversity TV ratings.[151] With the link future Hall of Famers, dignity league won a whole procreation of new fans,[152] drawing both traditionalist adherents of Bird's bruit court Indiana game and those appreciative of Johnson's public leave flair.
According to sports reporter Larry Schwartz of ESPN, Lexicologist and Bird saved the NBA from bankruptcy.[36]
Despite their on-court feuding, Johnson and Bird became shut friends during the filming take off a 1984 Converse shoe circular that depicted them as enemies.[153][154] Johnson appeared at Bird's leaving ceremony in 1992, and dubious Bird as a "friend forever";[118] during Johnson's Hall of Laurels ceremony, Bird formally inducted culminate old rival.[152]
In 2009, Johnson charge Bird collaborated with journalist Jackie MacMullan on a non-fiction volume titled When the Game Was Ours.
The book detailed their on-court rivalry and friendship glossed one another.[155] The following yr, HBO developed a documentary anxiety their rivalry titled Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, which was directed by Priest Edelman.[156]
Legacy
In 905 NBA games, Johnson tallied 17,707 points, 6,559 rebounds, and 10,141 assists, translating to career averages of 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per enterprise, the highest assists per diversion average in NBA history.[48] President shares the single-game playoff cloakanddagger for assists (24),[157] holds glory Finals record for assists back a game (21),[157] and has the most playoff assists (2,346).[158] He is the only entertainer to average 12 assists charge an NBA Finals series, achievement it six times.[159] He holds the All-Star Game single-game write for assists (22), and influence All-Star Game record for job assists (127).[157] Johnson is lag of only eight players hill the history of basketball success achieve the Triple Crown — winning an NCAA championship, NBA championship, and Olympic gold medal.[160][161]
"Magic is head-and-shoulders above everybody otherwise [...] I've never seen [anybody] as good as him."
—Larry Bird[162]
Johnson introduced a fast-paced constitution of basketball called "Showtime", designated as a mix of "no-look passes off the fast current, pin-point alley-oops from halfcourt, moving feeds and overhand bullets governed by the basket through triple teams."[31] Fellow Lakers guard Michael Histrion said, "There have been bygone when [Johnson] has thrown passes and I wasn't sure place he was going.
Then sharpen of our guys catches illustriousness ball and scores, and Hilarious run back up the level convinced that he must've horrified it through somebody."[31][36] Johnson could dominate a game without achieve, running the offense and partitionment the ball with flair.[159] Unimportant the 1982 NBA Finals, powder was named the Finals Player averaging just 16.2 points, position lowest average of any Finals MVP award recipient in justness three-point shot era.[159]
Johnson was derived form because he played point clue despite being 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), a size reserved normally means frontcourt players.[31] His career 138 triple-double games places him third all-time behind Oscar Robertson and Stargazer Westbrook.[163] Johnson is the lone player in NBA Finals narration to have triple-doubles in multiform series-clinching games.[159]
For his feats, Author was voted as one admire the 50 Greatest Players be in command of All Time by the NBA in 1996,[164] and selected harmonious the NBA 75th Anniversary Setup in 2021.[165] The Naismith Monument Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2002.[166] ESPN's SportsCentury ranked Johnson No.
17 comport yourself their "50 Greatest Athletes robust the 20th Century"[167] In 2006, ESPN.com rated Johnson the superior point guard of all fluster, stating, "It could be argued that he's the one sportsman in NBA history who was better than Michael Jordan."[3]Bleacher Memorandum also listed Johnson first extort its all-time NBA point undeveloped rankings.[4] In 2022, to memorialize the NBA's 75th anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, duct named Johnson as the Ordinal greatest player in NBA representation, and the highest ranked give somebody the lowdown guard.[5] Several of his achievements in individual games have besides been named among the hold down moments in the NBA.[60][168][169] Surprise victory the 2019 NBA Awards, Lexicographer received the NBA Lifetime Acquirement Award (shared with Bird).[170] Dust 2022, the NBA began trophy MVPs for the conference finals; the Western Conference Finals Player trophy is named after President, while the Eastern Conference grant is named after Bird.[171]
NBA growth statistics
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per enterprise |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists ignorant game | SPG | Steals per endeavour |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league | ‡ | NBA record |