Magic Johnson attended Everett in Lansing, Michigan and Michigan State. [213] He won the WNBA championship as the owner in 2016. [137] By the time he returned to the Lakers in 1996, the Magic Johnson All-Stars had amassed a record of 550, and Johnson was earning as much as $365,000 per game. Mathurin recorded a game-high 26 points while Banchero scored 23 for . [125] The Lakers played well initially, winning five of their first six games under Johnson, but after losing the next five games, Johnson announced that he was resigning as coach after the season. The talent already on Michigan State's roster also drew him to the program. PREMIUM. [33] Johnson dedicated the championship victory to his best friend Reggie Chastine, who was killed in a car accident the previous summer. Magic Johnson: No: Stephen Curry: No: All-NBA Second Team Team. [49][50] Johnson averaged 18.0points, 7.7rebounds, and 7.3assists per game for the season, was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Team, and was named an NBA All-Star Game starter. Birthdate. Best Season Stats. Everett in Lansing, Michigan, Draft: Right, Born: [187] In 2006, Johnson created a contract food service with Sodexo USA called Sodexo-Magic. Data runs from 1946-47 to present unless otherwise noted. [170] Johnson resides in Beverly Hills and has a vacation home in Dana Point, California. "[177] Buss acquired the team from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979, shortly before he drafted Johnson with the #1 pick in the 1979 NBA draft. [3][4][5][6] Johnson played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Kawhi Leonard vs Kemba Walker vs Kevin Durant vs Kobe Bryant vs LaMelo Ball vs LeBron James vs Lonzo Ball vs Luka Doni vs Magic Johnson vs Manu Ginbili vs Mike Conley vs Oscar Robertson vs Paul George vs . Magic Johnson played 13 seasons for the Lakers. "I haven't talked . Six . Magic Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game. [48] Coach Paul Westhead, who had replaced McKinney early in the season after he had a near-fatal bicycle accident,[49][54] decided to start Johnson at center in Game 6; Johnson recorded 42points, 15rebounds, 7assists, and 3 steals in a 123107 win, while playing guard, forward, and center at different times during the game. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Only 1 left! He was selected to play in his first All-Star game. $5.00. [146] With the two future Hall of Famers, the league won a whole generation of new fans,[147] drawing both traditionalist adherents of Bird's dirt court Indiana game and those appreciative of Johnson's public park flair. [23], Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" as a 15-year-old sophomore playing for Everett High School, when he recorded a triple-double of 36points, 18rebounds, and 16assists. [75] The Lakers won the first game, and led by two points in Game 2 with 18seconds to go, but after a layup by Gerald Henderson, Johnson failed to get a shot off before the final buzzer sounded, and the Lakers lost 124121 in overtime. He said that he retired because he "didn't want to hurt the game. All other box score stats (3PA, ORB, DRB, STL, BLK, TOV) complete back to 1983-84. [68] During the championship series against the Sixers, Johnson averaged 16.2points on .533shooting, 10.8rebounds, 8.0assists, and 2.5steals per game. 1980 Topps Magic Johnson Rookie Card Larry Bird RC Julius Erving PSA 9 Mint. He nearly got into a fight with another player before head coach George Fox intervened. Coming off the bench, Johnson had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists to help the Lakers to a 128118 victory. [58] Johnson returned before the start of the 1981 playoffs, but the Lakers' then-assistant and future head coach Pat Riley later said Johnson's much-anticipated return made the Lakers a "divided team". [20], Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan, to General Motors assembly worker Earvin Sr. and school janitor Christine. 230. [115] After qualifying for the Olympics with a gold medal at the 1992 Tournament of the Americas,[116] the Dream Team dominated in Olympic competition, winning the gold medal with an 80 record, beating their opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game. [181][182] Johnson also co-promoted Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope Tour through his company Magicworks. Point Guard, Shooting Guard, and Power Forward Earvin Johnson Jr. us, College: It's true that I hated missing out on Sexton. [107] He admitted to having "harems of women" and talked openly about his sexual activities because "he was convinced that heterosexuals needed to know that they, too, were at risk". Draft Info. [185], Johnson runs Magic Johnson Enterprises, a conglomerate company that has a net worth of $700million;[13] its subsidiaries include Magic Johnson Productions, a promotional company; Magic Johnson Theaters, a nationwide chain of movie theaters; and Magic Johnson Entertainment, a film studio. [92] Johnson later accused Isiah Thomas of spreading the rumors, a claim Thomas denied. On NBA 2K23, this Classic Version of Magic Johnson's 2K Rating is 93 and has a 2-Way Playshot Build. [124] Stating that it was never his dream to coach, he chose instead to purchase a 5% share of the team in June 1994. The Lakers would finish the season on a ten-game losing streak though. All-Rookie 1st Team . [25] Upon learning of Chastine's death, Magic ran from his home, crying uncontrollably. Johnson would often help his father on the garbage route, and he was teased by neighborhood children who called him "Garbage Man". [13][169] The couple adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995. [18] As such, in 2014, Johnson was named one of ESPNW's Impact 25. [91] Johnson and Thomas greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek before the opening tip of Game 1, which they called a display of brotherly love. He plays at the Point Guard or Shooting Guard position in this All-Time team. Magic Johnson had perhaps one of the best performances ever as a rookie to help the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Philadelphia 76ers to win the 1980 NBA Championship. [57], Early in the 198081 season, Johnson was sidelined after he suffered torn cartilage in his left knee. [33] He was selected to the 197879 All-American team for his performance that season. This is average NBA player's height . [221] In 2012, he endorsed Barack Obama for president. . [40] Playing with future NBA draftees Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent, and Mike Brkovich, Johnson averaged 17.0points, 7.9rebounds, and 7.4assists per game as a freshman, and led the Spartans to a 255record, the Big Ten Conference title, and a berth in the 1978 NCAA tournament. [183] He has also worked as a motivational speaker,[15] and was an NBA commentator for Turner Network Television for seven years,[184] before becoming a studio analyst for ESPN's NBA Countdown in 2008. Peter Guber, who is the co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, owns a small stake in the Dodgers along with Johnson. Midway through Game 5 of the Finals, Kareem suffered a severe sprained ankle. [48] Johnson became the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award,[48] and his clutch performance is still regarded as one of the finest in NBA history. [21] Johnson, who had six siblings and three half-siblings by his father's previous marriage,[22][23][a] was influenced by his parents' strong work ethic. . Games (G) Michael Jordan: 82 (2002-03) Larry Bird: . Although he played in a celebrity game to honor coach Jud Heathcoate in 1995,[45] this was Johnson's first meaningful game played in his hometown of Lansing in 22 years. Johnson's average of 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game was enough to make the All-Rookie Team and become a starter on the All-Star Team, even though the NBA Rookie of the Year Award went to his rival Larry Bird, who had joined the Boston Celtics. [79], In the 198485 regular season, Johnson averaged 18.3points, 12.6assists, and 6.2rebounds per game, and led the Lakers into the 1985 NBA Finals, where they faced the Celtics again. Shooting 41.9 percent from three, Johnson has emerged as a three-level shot-maker and passing threat. [44] The Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals, but were unable to defeat the Houston Rockets, who advanced to the Finals in five games. [230] He has advertised GlaxoSmithKline's drugs,[231] and partnered with Abbott Laboratories to publicize the fight against AIDS in African American communities.[230]. Prior to Johnson and Bird's arrival, the NBA had gone through a decade of declining interest and low TV ratings. Magic Johnson was a member of the renowned NBA team 1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers who played at the Point Guard or Shooting Guard position. The book detailed their on-court rivalry and friendship with one another. In the final game of the CBA series, Johnson had 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists, leading the All-Stars to a 126121 victory over the Oklahoma City Cavalry. Authenticity Guarantee. As remarkable Magic's performance was in Game 6, Kareem's. Magic Johnson is on Twitter at MagicJohnson. [44] In the 1988 playoffs, the Lakers swept the San Antonio Spurs in 3 games, then survived two 43series against the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks to reach the Finals and face Thomas and the Detroit Pistons,[90] who with players such as Bill Laimbeer, John Salley, Vinnie Johnson and Dennis Rodman were known as the "Bad Boys" for their physical style of play. pic.twitter.com/9fYIJVPpHH, ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 16, 2020. "[28] Fellow Lakers guard Michael Cooper said, "There have been times when [Johnson] has thrown passes and I wasn't sure where he was going. [107] At the time, only a small percentage of HIV-positive American men had contracted it from heterosexual sex,[92][108] and it was initially rumored that Johnson was gay or bisexual, although he denied both. Latest on Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Magic Johnson Music signed R&B artist Avant as its first act. [75] Friends Isiah Thomas and Mark Aguirre consoled him that night, talking until the morning in his Boston hotel room amidst fan celebrations on the street. [59] The 54-win Lakers faced the 4042 Houston Rockets in the first round of playoffs,[60][61] where Houston upset the Lakers 21 after Johnson airballed a last-second shot in Game 3. He led all scorers with 39 points. The announcement clearly gets underneath Johnson's skin. "[33][128], Determined to play competitive basketball despite being out of the NBA, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team composed of former NBA and college players. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. $119.99. [135] Johnson led the way to a Game 2 victory with 26 points, but averaged only 7.5 points per game for the remainder of the series, which the Rockets won three games to one. In his rookie season, the Lakers won the N . [51], The Lakers compiled a 6022record in the regular season and reached the 1980 NBA Finals,[52] in which they faced the Philadelphia 76ers, who were led by forward Julius Erving. 1991 Fleer #237 David Robinson, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan PSA 10. [84] In the next season, Johnson averaged a career-high of 23.9points, as well as 12.2assists and 6.3rebounds per game,[44] and earned his first regular season MVP award. Johnson's stats in 77 games were identical to those he had at Michigan State (18.0 ppg, 7.7 RPG, 7.3 APG). A year-by-year list of the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award winners: 2021-22 Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors ( Voting) 2020-21 LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets ( Voting) 2019-20 Ja Morant,. [15] His public announcement of his HIV-positive status helped dispel the stereotype, still widely held at the time, that HIV was a "gay disease" that heterosexuals need not worry about; his bravery in making this announcement was widely commended. . Although they were facing the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets, the Lakers had home court advantage in the five-game series. SimLeague Basketball. Like Comments. Jul 17 1996 Los Angeles (LAL) . [177][178], Buss supported Johnson as he revealed his diagnosis of HIV in 1991, and he never hesitated to keep Johnson close to the organization, bringing him in as part-owner, and even as a coach. Birthdate 8/14/1959. Now if we look at the PSA stats for the 1980-1981 Topps Bird, Magic rookie, they have graded about 9,800 copies. [214] Johnson announced his co-ownership of a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise based in Los Angeles on October 30, 2014. He was named an All-Star starter and made the All-Rookie Team. The Lakers took a 32lead in the series, but Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33points a game in the series,[53] sprained his ankle in Game 5 and could not play in Game 6. There was a point early on in the episode when Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) hears that Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small) was selected as the 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year. [74] Johnson averaged another double-double season, with 17.6points, 13.1assists, and 7.3rebounds per game. 40 years ago today, Magic Johnson scores 42 pts as a rookie (most in NBA history) while starting at center in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the Lakers claim the 1980 NBA Championship with a 123-107 win over the 76ers in Philadelphia in Game 6 of the '80 NBA Finals. [16], Johnson initially said that he did not know how he contracted the disease,[16] but later acknowledged that it was through having numerous sexual partners during his playing career. Explore What team had the best over/under record last year? [19][218], Johnson is a supporter of the Democratic Party. He managed to come back in the game in the fourth quarter and helped the Lakers win (taking a 3-2 lead). Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. [208] The Johnson-led group, which also includes movie executive Peter Guber, paid $2billion for the Dodgers, the largest amount paid for a professional sports team. [33], Despite their on-court rivalry, Johnson and Bird became close friends during the filming of a 1984 Converse shoe advertisement that depicted them as enemies. The Lakers did not reach the playoffs during Johnson's executive tenure. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. Davis put up a career effort on Monday in the G League and nearly led the Go-Go to victory in the process. The LA team had a great regular season with a 60-22 record. In a press conference held on November 7, 1991, Johnson made a public announcement that he would retire immediately. The series started poorly for the Lakers when they allowed an NBA Finals record 148points to the Celtics in a 34-point loss in Game 1. With Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson willed the Lakers to victory in just his first season in the NBA. During his retirement, Johnson began intense workouts to help his fight against HIV, raising his bench press from 135 to 300 pounds, and increasing his weight to 255 pounds. He played with the team for 13 seasons and was honored. [11] 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. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002. There were incidents of racism, with rocks being thrown at buses carrying black students and white parents refusing to send their children to school. [229], HIV had been associated with intravenous drug users and homosexuals,[226] but Johnson's campaigns sought to show that the risk of infection was not limited to those groups.

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