Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. Often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time,[3][4][5][6][7] Johnson spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After winning a national championship with Michigan State in 1979, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers, leading the team to five NBA championships during their "Showtime" era. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. After protests against his return from his fellow players, he retired again for four years, but returned in 1996, at age 36, to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time.
For the Red Hot Chili Peppers song, see Mother's Milk (album). For the Nas song, see Magic 2.Personal information
August 14, 1959
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)[1]
Everett (Lansing, Michigan)
Michigan State (1977–1979)
1979: 1st round, 1st overall pick
1979–1991, 1996, 1999–2000
32
Magic Great Danes
Los Angeles Lakers
17,707 (19.5 ppg)
6,559 (7.2 rpg)
10,141 (11.2 apg)
Known for his extraordinary court vision, passing abilities, and leadership, Johnson was one of the most dominant players of his era. His career achievements include three NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVPs, nine All-NBA First Team designations, and twelve All-Star games selections. He led the league in regular season assists four times, and is the NBA's all-time leader in average assists per game in both the regular season (11.19 assists per game) and the playoffs (12.35 assists per game).[8][9] He also holds the records for most career playoff assists and most career playoff triple-doubles.[10][11] Johnson was the co-captain of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team ("The Dream Team"),[12] which won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona. After leaving the NBA in 1991, he formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that traveled around the world playing exhibition games.[13]
Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, and became a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—being enshrined in 2002 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team".[14] His friendship and rivalry with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird, whom he faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship series, are well documented.
Since his retirement, Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex,[15] as well as an entrepreneur,[16] philanthropist,[17] broadcaster and motivational speaker.[18] Johnson is a former part-owner of the Lakers and was the team's president of basketball operations in the late 2010s. He is a founding member of Guggenheim Baseball Management, managing entity of the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, and also partly owns the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, the MLS' Los Angeles FC, and the NFL's Washington Commanders. Johnson has won 14 total championships during his career, one in college, five as an NBA player and eight as an owner.[19]
High school career
Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" at 15, when he recorded a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists as a sophomore at Everett.[29] After the game, Fred Stabley Jr., a sports writer for the Lansing State Journal, gave him the moniker[33] despite the belief of Johnson's mother, a devout Christian, that the name was sacrilegious.[29] In his final high school season, Johnson led Everett to a 27–1 win–loss record while averaging 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game,[29] and took his team to an overtime victory in the state championship game.[34] Johnson dedicated the championship victory to his best friend Reggie Chastine, who was killed in a car accident the previous summer.[35] He gave Chastine much of the credit for his development as a basketball player and as a person,[36] saying years later, "I doubted myself back then."[37] Johnson and Chastine were almost always together, playing basketball or riding around in Chastine's car.[24] Upon learning of Chastine's death, Magic ran from his home, crying uncontrollably.[37] Johnson, who finished his high school career with two All-State selections, was considered at the time to be the best high school player ever to come out of Michigan.[35] He was also named to the inaugural McDonald's All-American team, which played in the 1977 Capital Classic.[38][39]
College career
Although Johnson was recruited by several top-ranked colleges such as Indiana and UCLA, he decided to play close to home.[40] His college decision came down to Michigan and Michigan State in East Lansing. He ultimately decided to attend Michigan State when coach Jud Heathcote told him he could play the point guard position. The talent already on Michigan State's roster also drew him to the program.[41]
Johnson did not initially aspire to play professionally, focusing instead on his communication studies major and desire to become a television commentator.[42] Playing with future NBA draftees Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent, and Mike Brkovich, Johnson averaged 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game as a freshman, and led the Spartans to a 25–5 record, the Big Ten Conference title, and a berth in the 1978 NCAA tournament.[29] The Spartans reached the Elite Eight, but lost narrowly to eventual national champion Kentucky.[43]
During the 1978–79 season, Michigan State again qualified for the NCAA tournament, where they advanced to the championship game and faced Indiana State, which was led by senior Larry Bird. In what was the most-watched college basketball game ever,[44] Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75–64, and Johnson was voted Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.[34] He was selected to the 1978–79 All-American team for his performance that season.[45] After two years in college, during which he averaged 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, Johnson entered the 1979 NBA draft.[46] Jud Heathcote stepped down as coach of the Spartans after the 1994–95 season, and on June 8, 1995, Johnson returned to the Breslin Center to play in the Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Game. He led all scorers with 39 points.[47]
Executive career
On February 21, 2017, Johnson replaced Jim Buss as the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers.[184] Under Johnson, the Lakers sought to acquire multiple star players and cleared existing players, including future All-Star D'Angelo Russell, off of their roster in an attempt to free up room under the league's salary cap. The franchise reached an agreement with free agent LeBron James on a four-year contract in 2018, but efforts to trade for Anthony Davis during the 2018–19 season proved unsuccessful. The Lakers did not reach the playoffs during Johnson's executive tenure.[185] In an impromptu news conference on April 9, 2019, Johnson resigned from the Lakers, citing his desire to return to his role as an NBA ambassador.[185][186][187]
Further reading
Biographies
Johnson's autobiography is Johnson, Earvin (1992). Magic Johnson: My Life. Random House. ISBN 0-449-22254-3. Other biographies include: