Magic Johnson
If you were asked to name some of the greatest basketball players of all time, one that surely comes to mind is Magic Johnson. Through his legendary passing and dynamic playmaking, Magic became a three-time league MVP and held the all-time record for assists per game. Johnson led the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA Finals championships. Alongside his rival Larry Bird, Magic helped revitalize the NBA and brought basketball to the masses.
Early Career
Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan. He was given the nickname “Magic” in high school after a dominant performance with a triple-double. While attending Michigan State University, Johnson started playing the point guard position despite his height of 6’9. Here, he started throwing his patented no-look passes, which he became famous for.
In the 1978–79 season, the Spartans advanced to the NCAA championship to face Indiana State, led by Larry Bird. In the first meeting between the two superstars, Johnson got the better of Bird after a 75–64 victory. Johnson was soon announced for the 1979 NBA Draft.
Joining the NBA
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic with the first pick in the draft, which allowed him to play with the legendary center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Even as a rookie, Johnson made an immediate impact on the team, helping the Lakers obtain a 60-22 record. After advancing through the playoffs, the NBA Finals featured the Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers. In one of his signature performances, Magic played center, recording 42 points and 15 rebounds. This feat was enough for Johnson to win his first NBA title.
Knee Injury
In his second season during a game against the Atlanta Hawks, Johnson collided with another player and received a blow to his knee. Johnson commented on the experience, saying that the toughest part of his rehabilitation was the mental pain of being separated from his teammates and the game of basketball. His coach reported that Johnson had lost his cheerful spirit, which demoralized the entire team.
Magic was forced to undergo surgery to remove a fragment of cartilage from his knee. After his operation, Johnson would not return to a game for over 100 days. With his absence, the Lakers struggled to perform. Ultimately, their season came to an end against the Houston Rockets.
Mid-80s
In the season following 1986, Johnson averaged 24 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds per game, statistics sufficient for him to win his first MVP award. The third meeting between the Lakers and Celtics in the Finals ended with a 4–2 game victory from Los Angeles. Johnson won his third and last Finals MVP award in the series.
In 1988, the Lakers met the “Bad Boy” Pistons in the finals; however, Johnson’s playmaking once again delivered him his final NBA championship.
Encounter with HIV
Unfortunately, Magic’s retirement from basketball was forced by his contraction of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), a sexually-transmitted infection increasingly prevalent during the 1980s.
In 1991, Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA. Now, he is an active HIV awareness promoter, and has continued to advocate for education about the disease to this day.
Conclusion
Magic’s influence on basketball is immense, as he revolutionized the importance of the point guard with his excellent court vision and passing abilities. His 5 championships and 3 MVPs make him one of the most accomplished players of all time. With Johnson’s legendary playmaking abilities, it’s no wonder we call him “Magic.”
Sources
“Legends Profile: Magic Johnson | NBA.Com.” The Official Site of the NBA for the Latest NBA Scores, Stats & News. | NBA.Com, NBA.com, 14 Sept. 2021, https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-legend-magic-johnson.
“Magic Johnson.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Magic-Johnson. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
“Magic Johnson Biography | Career, Stats & Facts | Lakers Nation.” Lakers Nation, https://www.facebook.com/LakersNation/, https://lakersnation.com/magic-johnson-biography-early-life-lakers-career-and-legacy/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
Papanek, John. “Magic Johnson: Inside Lakers Star’s Return after 1981 Knee Injury - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.Com.” Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.Com, Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com, 9 Mar. 1981, https://vault.si.com/vault/1981/03/09/magic-johnson-and-now-for-my-reappearing-act.