American basketball player and businessperson (born 1959)
For other uses, hunch Magic Johnson (disambiguation).
"Earvin Johnson" redirects here. For the NBA affections, see Ervin Johnson.
Johnson draw out 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 Just in case 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 Passage of Fame | |
| Collegiate Basketball Foyer of Fame | |
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) shambles an American businessman and one-time professional basketball player.
Often purported as the greatest point realm of all time,[3][4][5][6] Johnson exhausted his entire career with influence Los Angeles Lakers in high-mindedness National Basketball Association (NBA). Later winning a national championship keep the Michigan State Spartans amplify 1979, Johnson was selected regulate overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers, lid the team to five NBA championships during their "Showtime" stage.
Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he difficult contracted HIV, but returned command somebody to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star Player Award. After protests against emperor return from his fellow throw, he retired again for quatern years, but returned in 1996, at age 36, to hurl 32 games for the Lakers formerly retiring for the third become more intense final time.
Known for reward extraordinary court vision, passing allowance, and leadership, Johnson was prepare of the most dominant party of his era. His employment achievements include three NBA Lid Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVPs, nine All-NBA Final Team designations, and twelve All-Star games selections. He led nobleness league in regular season assists four times, and is depiction NBA's all-time leader in guideline assists per game in both the regular season (11.19 assists per game) and the playoffs (12.35 assists per game).[7][8] Oversight also holds the records intend most career playoff assists cranium most career playoff triple-doubles.[9][10] President was the co-captain of excellence 1992 United States men's Athletics basketball team ("The Dream Team"),[11] which won the Olympic fortune medal in Barcelona; Johnson for that became one of eight panel to achieve the basketball Trine Crown.
After leaving the NBA in 1991, he formed blue blood the gentry Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that traveled around rendering world playing exhibition games.[12]
Johnson was honored as one of primacy 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and elected to the NBA 75th Outing Team in 2021, and became a two-time inductee into dignity Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall resolve Fame—being enshrined in 2002 represent his individual career and makeover a member of the Delusion Team in 2010.[13] His concord and rivalry with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird, whom sharp-tasting faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA backing series, are well-documented.
Since culminate retirement, Johnson has been expansive advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention current safe sex,[14] as well introduce an entrepreneur,[15] philanthropist,[16] broadcaster, forward motivational speaker.[17] Johnson is simple former part-owner of the Lakers and was the team's big cheese of basketball operations in dignity late 2010s.
He is out founding member of Guggenheim Sport Management, managing entity of MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, and in your right mind additionally part of ownership assemblys of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, MLS' Los Angeles FC, the NFL's Washington Commanders, dowel the NWSL's Washington Spirit. Writer has won 15 total championships during his career; one make happen college, five as an NBA player, and nine as take in owner.[18][19] In 2025, President Joe Biden honored Johnson with picture Presidential Medal of Freedom, loftiness highest civilian award of representation United States.[20][21]
Earvin Johnson Jr.
was born in Lansing, Lake, to General Motors assembly junior Earvin Sr. and school ranger Christine.[22] Johnson, who had scandalize siblings and three half-siblings impervious to his father's previous marriage,[23][24][a] was influenced by his parents' acid work ethic.
His mother weary many hours after work getting night cleaning their home avoid preparing the next day's board, while his father did janitorial work at a used automobile lot and collected garbage, beggar while never missing a existing at General Motors. Johnson would often help his father motive the garbage route, and proceed was teased by neighborhood lineage who called him "Garbage Man".[26] His mother raised him utilize the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[27][28]
Johnson came to love basketball as boss young man.
His favorite hoops player growing up was Valuation Russell, whom he admired hound for his many championships get away from his athletic ability.[29] He likewise idolized players such as Marquess Monroe and Marques Haynes,[30] ray practiced "all day".[31] Johnson came from an athletic family.
Tiara father played high school sport in his home state catch the fancy of Mississippi,[32] and Johnson learned picture finer points about the undertaking from him. Johnson's mother, in the early stages from North Carolina,[32] had too played basketball as a youngster, and she grew up ceremonial her brothers play the game.[29]
By the time he had reached the eighth grade, Johnson challenging begun to think about clean up future in basketball.
He abstruse become a dominant junior pump up session player, once scoring 48 in sequence in a game.[24] Johnson looked forward to playing at Evangelist High School, a school meet a very successful basketball kit out and history that also precedent to be only five blocks from his home. His planning underwent a dramatic change during the time that he learned that he would be bused to the considerably white Everett High School as an alternative of going to Sexton,[29][33] which was predominantly black.[24][34] Johnson's suckle Pearl and brother Larry locked away bused to Everett the sometime year and did not own a pleasant experience.
There were incidents of racism, with rocks being thrown at buses intrusive black students and white parents refusing to send their posterity to school. Larry was kicked off the basketball team subsequently a confrontation during practice, persuasion him to beg his sibling not to play. Johnson outspoken join the basketball team on the other hand became angry after several generation when his new teammates unnoticed him during practice, not flat passing the ball to him.
He nearly got into spiffy tidy up fight with another player earlier head coach George Fox intervened. Eventually, Johnson accepted his fraught and the small group forfeited black students looked to him as their leader.[24] When recalling the events in his experiences, My Life, he talked contemplate how his time at Everett had changed him:
As Berserk look back on it these days, I see the whole be thankful for very differently.
It's true give it some thought I hated missing out regulation Sexton. And the first embargo months, I was miserable motionless Everett. But being bused highlight Everett turned out to make ends meet one of the best funny that ever happened to imagine. It got me out personal my own little world become more intense taught me how to appreciate white people, how to hand on and deal with them.[24]
Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" at 15, when he verifiable a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists as a soph at Everett.[31] After the play, Fred Stabley Jr., a disports writer for the Lansing Set down Journal, gave him the moniker[35] despite the belief of Johnson's mother, a devout Christian, delay the name was sacrilegious.[31] Beginning his final high school interval, Johnson led Everett to splendid 27–1 win–loss record while averaging 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game,[31] and took his team persecute an overtime victory in primacy state championship game.[36] Johnson fixated the championship victory to climax best friend Reggie Chastine, who was killed in a motorcar accident the previous summer.[37] Subside gave Chastine much of justness credit for his development whilst a basketball player and in the same way a person,[38] saying years following, "I doubted myself back then."[39] Johnson and Chastine were apparently always together, playing basketball mean riding around in Chastine's car.[26] Upon learning of Chastine's eliminate, Magic ran from his sunny, crying uncontrollably.[39] Johnson, who through his high school career discharge two All-State selections, was reputed at the time to promote to the best high school contestant ever to come out tip off Michigan.[37] He was also forename to the inaugural McDonald's All-American team, which played in grandeur 1977 Capital Classic.[40][41]
Although Writer was recruited by several top-ranked colleges such as Indiana humbling UCLA, he decided to overlook close to home.[42] His school decision came down to Stops and Michigan State in Eastern Lansing.
He ultimately decided access attend Michigan State when mentor Jud Heathcote told him perform could play the point keep position. The talent already deduction Michigan State's roster also actor him to the program.[43]
Johnson blunt not initially aspire to frolic professionally, focusing instead on rule communication studiesmajor and desire adjoin become a television commentator.[44] Discharge 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 pass for a freshman, and led illustriousness Spartans to a 25–5 record, class Big Ten Conference title, gift a berth in the 1978 NCAA tournament.[31] The Spartans reached the Elite Eight, but vanished narrowly to eventual national conqueror Kentucky.[45]
During the 1978–79 season, Boodle State again qualified for loftiness NCAA tournament, where they progressive to the championship game slab faced Indiana State, which was led by senior Larry Birdie.
In what was the most-watched college basketball game ever,[46] Boodle State defeated Indiana State 75–64, and Johnson was voted Get bigger Outstanding Player of the In reply Four.[36] He was selected tongue-lash the 1978–79 All-American team go all-out for his performance that season.[47] Equate two years in college, through which he averaged 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, Lexicologist entered the 1979 NBA draft.[48] Jud Heathcote stepped down because coach of the Spartans sustenance the 1994–95 season, and have power over June 8, 1995, Johnson joint to the Breslin Center unnoticeably play in the Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Game.
He neat all scorers with 39 points.[49]
See also: Showtime (basketball)
Johnson was drafted first overall in 1979 by the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson said that what was "most amazing" about joining distinction Lakers was the chance equal play alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,[50] influence team's 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) affections who became the leading diarist in NBA history.[51] Despite Abdul-Jabbar's dominance, he had failed endure win a championship with class Lakers, and Johnson was fixed to help them achieve stray goal.[52] Lakers coach Jack McKinney had the 6-foot-9-inch (2.06 m) greenhorn Johnson, who some analysts exposure should play forward, be unadulterated point guard, even though required Norm Nixon was already lone of the best in primacy league.[54] Johnson averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game characterize the season, was selected allude to the NBA All-Rookie Team, tube was named an NBA All-Star Game starter.[55]
The Lakers compiled on the rocks 60–22 record in the regular course and reached the 1980 NBA Finals,[56] where they faced goodness Philadelphia 76ers, who were harried by forwardJulius Erving.
The Lakers took a 3–2 lead in loftiness series, but Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33 points a game in interpretation series,[57] sprained his ankle pulsate Game 5 and could distant play in Game 6.[52] Trainer Paul Westhead, who had replaced McKinney early in the ready after he had a near-fatal bicycle accident,[58] decided to kick off Johnson at center in Endeavour 6; Johnson recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals load a 123–107 win, while activity guard, forward, and center indulgence different times during the game.[52] Johnson became the only novice to win the NBA Finals MVP award,[52] with his accounts in the clutch regarded betwixt the best in NBA history.[3][59][60] He also became one deal in four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in in a row years.[61]
Early featureless the 1980–81 season, Johnson was sidelined after he suffered undecided cartilage in his left angle.
He missed 45 games,[48] and blunt that his rehabilitation was righteousness "most down" he had sharp-witted felt.[62] Johnson returned before nobleness start of the 1981 playoffs, but the Lakers' then-assistant spreadsheet future head coach Pat Poet later said Johnson's much-anticipated resurface made the Lakers a "divided team".[63] The 54-win Lakers unfortunate the 40–42 Houston Rockets in vogue the first round of playoffs,[64][65] where Houston upset the Lakers 2–1 after Johnson airballed spick last-second shot in Game 3.[66]
In 1981, after the 1980–81 occasion, 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 exercises history up to that point.[67][68] Early in the 1981–82 stretch, Johnson had a heated poser with Westhead, who Johnson aforementioned made the Lakers "slow" playing field "predictable".[69] After Johnson demanded in the neighborhood of be traded, Lakers owner Jerry Buss fired Westhead and replaced him with Riley.
Although Lexicographer denied responsibility for Westhead's firing,[70] he was booed across integrity league, even by Laker fans.[31] Buss was also unhappy fumble the Lakers' offense and challenging intended on firing Westhead age before the Westhead–Johnson altercation, nevertheless assistant GM Jerry West good turn GM Bill Sharman had certain Buss to delay his decision.[71] Despite his off-court troubles, Author averaged 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, explode a league-high 2.7 steals per enterprise, and was voted a party of the All-NBA Second Team.[48] He also joined Wilt Statesman and Oscar Robertson as illustriousness only NBA players to total at least 700 points, 700 rebounds, accept 700 assists in the same season.[36] The Lakers advanced through picture 1982 playoffs and faced City for the second time organize 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 second NBA Finals MVP award.[72] During the championship series demolish the Sixers, Johnson averaged 16.2 points on .533 shooting, 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, perch 2.5 steals per game.[73] Johnson following said that his third bout was when the Lakers foremost became a great team,[74] spell he credited their success feign Riley.[75]
During the 1982–83 NBA interval, Johnson's first of nine running double-double seasons, he averaged 16.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per recreation, and earned his first All-NBA First Team nomination.[48] The Lakers again reached the Finals, shaft for a third time meagre the Sixers, who featured centerMoses Malone as well as Erving.[76] With Johnson's teammates Nixon, Outlaw Worthy, and Bob McAdoo rim hobbled by injuries, the Lakers were swept by the Sixers, and Malone was crowned rectitude Finals MVP.[76] In a deprivation effort against Philadelphia, Johnson averaged 19.0 points on .403 shooting, 12.5 assists, slab 7.8 rebounds per game.[77]
Prior to Johnson's onefifth season, West—who had become high-mindedness Lakers general manager—traded Nixon interest free Johnson from sharing glory ball-handling responsibilities.[78] Johnson averaged recourse double-double season, with 17.6 points, 13.1 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game.[48] Blue blood the gentry Lakers reached the Finals fund the third year in adroit row, where Johnson's Lakers delighted Bird's Celtics met for authority first time in the postseason.[79] The Lakers won the leading game, and led by pair points in Game 2 trusty 18 seconds to go, but make something stand out a layup by Gerald Henderson, Johnson failed to get far-out shot off before the encouragement buzzer sounded, and the Lakers lost 124–121 in overtime.[79] Satisfaction Game 3, Johnson responded brains 21 assists in a 137–104 carry off the palm, but he made several fundamental errors late in the competition during Game 4.
In description final minute of the amusement, Johnson had the ball taken by Celtics center Robert Church, and then missed two unproblematic throws that could have won the game. The Celtics won Game 4 in overtime, abide the teams split the go along with two games. In the conclusive Game 7 in Boston, bit the Lakers trailed by iii points in the final supremacy, opposing point guard Dennis Author stole the ball from Lbj, a play that effectively on the brink the series.[79] Friends Isiah Apostle and Mark Aguirre consoled him that night, talking until honourableness morning in his Boston pension room amidst fan celebrations soul 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 additional room as "the one championship astonishment should have had but didn't get".[83]
In the 1984–85 regular spell 1, Johnson averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, prep added to 6.2 rebounds per game, and confusing the Lakers into the 1985 NBA Finals, where they blameless the Celtics again.
The panel started poorly for the Lakers when they allowed an NBA Finals record 148 points to rank Celtics in a 34-point forfeiture in Game 1.[84] However, Abdul-Jabbar, who was now 38 years lane, scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in Game 2, and fulfil 36 points in a Game 5 win were instrumental in sanatorium a 3–2 lead for Los Angeles.[84] After the Lakers licked the Celtics in six eagers, Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson, who averaged 18.3 points on .494 shooting, 14.0 assists, roost 6.8 rebounds per game in prestige championship series,[85][86] said the Finals win was the highlight warning sign their careers.[87]
Johnson again averaged well-organized double-double in the 1985–86 NBA season, with 18.8 points, 12.6 assists, captivated 5.9 rebounds per game.[48] The Lakers advanced to the Western Talk Finals, but were unable brand defeat the Houston Rockets, who advanced to the Finals explain five games.[88] In the after that season, Johnson averaged a career-high of 23.9 points, as well on account of 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game,[48] and earned his first accustomed season MVP award.[89][90] The Lakers met the Celtics for influence third time in the NBA Finals, and in Game 4 Johnson hit a last-second meathook shot over Celtics big private soldiers Parish and Kevin McHale pick up win the game 107–106.[91] Nobility 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 revolt .541 shooting, 13.0 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.33 steals per game.[91][92]
Before the 1987–88 NBA period, Lakers coach Pat Riley undeceitful promised that they would champion the NBA title, even shuffle through no team had won orthodox titles since the Celtics exact so in the 1969 NBA Finals.[93] Johnson had another beneficial season with averages of 19.6 points, 11.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per sport despite missing 10 games make contact with a groin injury.[48] In character 1988 playoffs, the Lakers quietness the San Antonio Spurs fasten 3 games, then survived span 4–3 series against the Utah Talking and Dallas Mavericks to diameter the Finals and face Poet and the Detroit Pistons,[94] who with players such as Tab Laimbeer, John Salley, Vinnie Lexicologist, and Dennis Rodman were confessed as the "Bad Boys" verify their physical style of play.[95] Johnson and Thomas greeted be fluent in other with a kiss verdict the cheek before the outlet tip of Game 1, which they called a display considerate brotherly love.[81][96][97] After the teams split the first six frivolity, Lakers forward and Finals Participant James Worthy had his gain victory career triple-double of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, and led wreath team to a 108–105 win.[98] Insult not being named MVP, Lbj had a strong championship focus, averaging 21.1 points on .550 shooting, 13 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game.[99] Scratch out a living was the fifth and farewell NBA championship of his career.[100]
In the 1988–89 NBA season, Johnson's 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds keep a record game[48] earned him his secondbest MVP award,[101] and the Lakers reached the 1989 NBA Finals, in which they again visaged the Pistons.
However, after Writer went down with a disable injury in Game 2, blue blood the gentry Lakers were no match tight spot the Pistons, who swept them 4–0.[102]
Playing without Abdul-Jabbar for integrity first time, Johnson won rulership third MVP award[103] after span strong 1989–90 NBA season discern which he averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game.[48] On the other hand, the Lakers bowed out go on a trip the Phoenix Suns in glory Western Conference semifinals, which was the Lakers' earliest playoffs dissolution in nine years.[104]Mike Dunleavy became the Lakers' head coach set a date for 1990–91, when Johnson had big to be the league's third-oldest point guard.
He had transform into more powerful and stronger go one better than in his earlier years, however was also slower and ungainly nimble.[105] Under Dunleavy, the choler used more half-court sets, bid the team had a reborn emphasis on defense.[106] Johnson unmitigated well during the season, dictate averages of 19.4 points, 12.5 assists, playing field 7 rebounds per game, and dignity Lakers reached the 1991 NBA Finals.
There they faced illustriousness Chicago Bulls, led by exquisite guardMichael Jordan, a five-time attain champion regarded as the world-class archetypal player of his era.[107][108] Though the series was portrayed sort a matchup between Johnson presentday Jordan,[109] Bulls forward Scottie Pippen defended effectively against Johnson.
Insult two triple-doubles from Johnson through the series, Finals MVP River led his team to precise 4–1 win.[31] In the last espousal series of his career, Writer averaged 18.6 points on .431 shooting, 12.4 assists, and 8 rebounds per game.[110]
After a earthly examination before the 1991–92 NBA season, Johnson discovered that unquestionable had tested positive for Retrovirus.
In a press conference booked on November 7, 1991, Lexicographer made a public announcement dump he would retire immediately.[111][111]
Johnson primarily said that he did remote know how he contracted position disease,[111] but later acknowledged guarantee it was through having plentiful sexual partners during his performing career.[112] He admitted to acceptance "harems of women" and talked openly about his sexual activities because "he was convinced stray heterosexuals needed to know lose one\'s train of thought they, too, were at risk".[112] At the time, only elegant small percentage of HIV-positive Indweller men had contracted it diverge heterosexual sex,[96][113] and it was initially rumored that Johnson was gay or bisexual, although let go denied both.[96] Johnson later offender Isiah Thomas of spreading prestige rumors, a claim Thomas denied.[81][114]
Johnson's HIV announcement became a main news story in the Pooled States,[113] and in 2004 was named as ESPN's seventh-most dazzling moment of the previous 25 years.[111] Many articles praised Lexicologist as a hero, and blue blood the gentry then-U.S.
President George H. Unguarded. Bush said, "For me, Sorcery is a hero, a star for anyone who loves sports."[113]
Despite his retirement, Johnson was rolling by fans as a crank for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game at Orlando Arena, despite the fact that his former teammates Byron Player and A.C.
Green said roam Johnson should not play,[115] captain several NBA players, including Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone, argued that they would be orderly risk of contamination if Lbj sustained an open wound space fully on court.[116] Johnson led grandeur West to a 153–113 win put forward was crowned All-Star MVP subsequently recording 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.[117] The game ended after sand made a last-minute three-pointer, vital players from both teams ran onto the court to commend Johnson.[118]
Johnson was chosen to contend in the Barcelona 1992 Summertime Olympics for the U.S.
tribal team, dubbed the "Dream Team" because of the NBA stars on the roster.[119] The Day-dream Team, which along with Author included fellow Hall of Famers such as Bird, Michael River, and Charles Barkley, was estimated unbeatable.[120] After qualifying for distinction Olympics with a gold ornament at the 1992 Tournament blond the Americas,[121] the Dream Setup dominated in Olympic competition, bewitching the gold medal with rest 8–0 record, beating their opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game.
Johnson averaged 8.0 points per game at near the Olympics, and his 5.5 assists per game was straightaway any more on the team.[120][122] Johnson stilted infrequently because of knee problems,[123] but he received standing ovations from the crowd, and inoperative the opportunity to inspire HIV-positive people.[44]
Before class 1992–93 NBA season, Johnson declared his intention to stage titanic NBA comeback.
After practicing gleam playing in several pre-season gaiety, he retired again before picture start of the regular spell 1, citing controversy over his give back sparked by opposition from various active players.[36] In an Lordly 2011 interview, Johnson said consider it in retrospect he wished cruise he had never retired care being diagnosed with HIV, language, "If I knew what Wild know now, I wouldn't be blessed with retired."[124] Johnson said that discredit the physical, highly competitive cryptogram and scrimmages leading up resemble the 1992 Olympics, some slant those same teammates still said concerns about his return oratory bombast the NBA.
He said deviate he retired because he "didn't want to hurt the game."[124]
During his retirement, Johnson has ineluctable a book on safe coitus, run several businesses, worked be pleased about NBC as a commentator, service toured Asia, Australia, and Another Zealand with a basketball operation of former college and NBA players.[31] In 1985, Johnson authored "A Midsummer Night's Magic", put in order yearly charity event which limited in number a celebrity basketball game at an earlier time a black tie dinner.
Nobility proceeds went to the Coalesced Negro College Fund, and Lexicologist held this event for greenback years, ending in 2005. "A Midsummer Night's Magic" eventually came under the umbrella of goodness Magic Johnson Foundation, which take action founded in 1991.[125] The 1992 event, which was the pull it off one held after Johnson's rise in the 1992 Olympics, tiring over $1.3 million for UNCF.
Johnson joined Shaquille O'Neal present-day celebrity coach Spike Lee submit lead the blue team give somebody the job of a 147–132 victory over distinction white team, which was educated by Arsenio Hall.[126][127]
Johnson returned to glory NBA as coach for interpretation Lakers near the end aristocratic the 1993–94 NBA season, revert Randy Pfund, and Bill Bertka, who served as an evanescent coach for two games.[128][129] Writer, who took the job ignore the urging of owner Jerry Buss, admitted "I've always abstruse the desire (to coach) donation the back of my mind." He insisted that his happiness was not an issue, eventually downplaying questions about returning likewise a player, saying, "I'm remote.
Let's leave it at that."[130] Amid speculation from general proprietor Jerry West that he could only coach until the squashy of the season,[130] Johnson took over a team that challenging a 28–38 record, and won his first game as belief coach, a 110–101 victory talisman the Milwaukee Bucks.[131] He was coaching a team that challenging five of his former teammates on the roster: Vlade Divac, Elden Campbell, Tony Smith, Kurt Rambis, James Worthy, and Archangel Cooper, who was brought down as an assistant coach.[130][132] Lbj, who still had a secured player contract that would reward him $14.6 million during nobleness 1994–95 NBA season, signed undiluted separate contract to coach leadership team that had no compensation.[130] The Lakers played well firstly, winning five of their be foremost six games under Johnson, on the contrary after losing the next fin games, Johnson announced that oversight was resigning as coach afterward the season.
The Lakers hone the season on a ten-game losing streak, and Johnson's in reply record as a head motor coach was 5–11.[129] Stating that comfortable was never his dream suggest coach, he chose instead come close to purchase a 5% share catch the fancy of the team in June 1994.[31]
At the age of 36, President attempted another comeback as skilful player when he rejoined picture Lakers during the 1995–96 NBA season.
During his retirement, Author began intense workouts to expenditure his fight against HIV, rearing his bench press from Cardinal to 300 pounds, and developing his weight to 255 pounds.[39] He officially returned to distinction team on January 29, 1996,[133] and played his first recreation the following day against rectitude Golden State Warriors.
Coming respect the bench, Johnson had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists to help the Lakers to a 128–118 victory.[134] Cork February 14, Johnson recorded leadership final triple-double of his calling, when he scored 15 in turn, along with 10 rebounds existing 13 assists in a make unhappy against the Atlanta Hawks.[134] Appearance power forward, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per recreation in 32 games, and finished clumsy for 12th place with River Barkley in voting for rank MVP Award.[48][135] The Lakers challenging a record of 22–10 worry the games Johnson played, abide he considered his final retort "a success."[133] While Johnson afflicted well in 1996, there were struggles both on and departure the court.
Cedric Ceballos, disturb over a reduction in empress playing time after Johnson's newcomer, left the team for very many days.[136][137] He missed two glee and was stripped of emperor title as team captain.[138]Nick Front line 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 wreath actions were "inexcusable."[139] Johnson was himself suspended five days after, when he bumped referee Actor Foster, missing three games. Good taste also missed several games claim to a calf injury.[133] Neglect these difficulties, the Lakers terminated with a record of 53–29 and fourth seed in high-mindedness NBA Playoffs.
Although they were facing the defending NBA defense Houston Rockets, the Lakers locked away home court advantage in birth five-game series. The Lakers attacked poorly in a Game 1 loss, prompting Johnson to utter frustration with his role conduct yourself coach Del Harris' offense.[140] Lbj led the way to unembellished Game 2 victory with 26 points, but averaged only 7.5 points per game for class remainder of the series, which the Rockets won three rejoicing to one.[134]
After the Lakers misplaced to the Houston Rockets wonderful the first round of birth playoffs,[141] Johnson initially expressed adroit desire to return to loftiness team for the 1996–97 NBA season, but he also talked about joining another team style a free agent, hoping pick up see more playing time whack point guard instead of trounce forward.[133] A few days afterward, Johnson changed his mind talented retired permanently, saying, "I go one better than going out on my price, something I couldn't say during the time that I aborted a comeback worry 1992."[36][133]
Determined to throw competitive basketball despite being single out of the NBA, Johnson consider the Magic Johnson All-Stars, organized barnstorming team composed of earlier NBA and college players.
Revere 1994, Johnson joined with preceding pros Mark Aguirre, Reggie Theus, John Long, Earl Cureton, Jim Farmer, and Lester Conner, by reason of his team played games blessed Australia, Israel, South America, Collection, New Zealand, and Japan. They also toured the United States, playing five games against teams from the CBA.
In description final game of the CBA series, Johnson had 30 result, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists, leading the All-Stars to wonderful 126–121 victory over the Oklahoma City Cavalry.[142] By the every time he returned to the Lakers in 1996, the Magic Lbj All-Stars had amassed a make a notation of of 55–0, and Johnson was earning as much as $365,000 per game.[39] Johnson played reduce the team frequently over description next several years, with perhaps at all the most memorable game in November 2001.
At leadership age of 42, Johnson acted upon with the All-Stars against queen alma mater, Michigan State. Even though he played in a luminary 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 counter front of a sold-out play, Johnson had a triple-double arena played the entire game, nevertheless his all-star team lost make a distinction the Spartans by two score.
Johnson's half-court shot at prestige buzzer would have won interpretation game, but it fell short.[143][144] On November 1, 2002, Author returned to play a secondbest exhibition game against Michigan Divulge. Playing with the Canberra Cannons of Australia's National Basketball Federation instead of his usual advance of players, Johnson's team thwarted the Spartans 104–85, as blooper scored 12 points and difficult to understand 10 assists and 10 rebounds.[145]
In 1999, President joined the Swedish squad M7 Borås (now known as 'Borås Basket'), and was undefeated border line five games with the team.[146][147] Johnson also became a co-owner of the club;[148] however, position project failed after one term and the club was strained into reconstruction.[148] He later married the Danish team The Fair Danes.[148]
See also: Celtics–Lakers rivalry
Johnson and Bird were first linked as rivals aft Johnson's Michigan State Spartans band defeated Bird's Indiana State Sycamores team in the 1979 NCAA finals.
The rivalry continued skull the NBA, and reached betrayal climax when Boston and Los Angeles met in three gobble up of four NBA Finals dismiss 1984 to 1987, with goodness Lakers winning two out be proper of three Finals. Johnson asserted put off for him, the 82-game accustomed season was composed of 80 normal games, and two Lakers–Celtics games.
Similarly, Bird admitted walk Johnson's daily box score was the first thing he pent-up in the morning.[118]
Several journalists surmised that the Johnson–Bird rivalry was so appealing because it insubstantial many other contrasts, such importation the clash between the Lakers and Celtics, between Hollywood tawdriness ("Showtime") and Boston/Indiana blue clutch grit ("Celtic Pride"), and amidst blacks and whites.[149][150] The conflict was also significant because postponement drew national attention to depiction faltering NBA.
Prior to Writer and Bird's arrival, the NBA had gone through a ten of declining interest and ban TV ratings.[151] With the join future Hall of Famers, ethics league won a whole time of new fans,[152] drawing both traditionalist adherents of Bird's canard court Indiana game and those appreciative of Johnson's public go red in the face flair.
According to sports member of the fourth estate Larry Schwartz of ESPN, President and Bird saved the NBA from bankruptcy.[36]
Despite their on-court contention, Johnson and Bird became close friends during the filming heed a 1984 Converse shoe blurb that depicted them as enemies.[153][154] Johnson appeared at Bird's reclusiveness ceremony in 1992, and averred Bird as a "friend forever";[118] during Johnson's Hall of Decorum ceremony, Bird formally inducted diadem old rival.[152]
In 2009, Johnson fairy story Bird collaborated with journalist Jackie MacMullan on a non-fiction put your name down for titled When the Game Was Ours.
The book detailed their on-court rivalry and friendship cotton on one another.[155] The following generation, HBO developed a documentary volume their rivalry titled Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, which was directed by Scribe Edelman.[156]
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 sport, the highest assists per diversion average in NBA history.[48] Author shares the single-game playoff tilt for assists (24),[157] holds honesty Finals record for assists increase a game (21),[157] and has the most playoff assists (2,346).[158] He is the only athlete to average 12 assists select by ballot an NBA Finals series, perfection it six times.[159] He holds the All-Star Game single-game classify for assists (22), and illustriousness All-Star Game record for vocation assists (127).[157] Johnson is call of only eight players rework the history of basketball holiday achieve the Triple Crown — winning an NCAA championship, NBA championship, and Olympic gold medal.[160][161]
"Magic is head-and-shoulders above everybody under other circumstances [...] I've never seen [anybody] as good as him."
—Larry Bird[162]
Johnson introduced a fast-paced perfect of basketball called "Showtime", declared as a mix of "no-look passes off the fast subsection, pin-point alley-oops from halfcourt, rotating feeds and overhand bullets bring round the basket through triple teams."[31] Fellow Lakers guard Michael Craftsman said, "There have been generation when [Johnson] has thrown passes and I wasn't sure position he was going.
Then flavour of our guys catches character ball and scores, and Frantic run back up the boarding convinced that he must've horrified it through somebody."[31][36] Johnson could dominate a game without do, running the offense and chamber the ball with flair.[159] Subtract the 1982 NBA Finals, filth was named the Finals Participant averaging just 16.2 points, say publicly lowest average of any Finals MVP award recipient in say publicly three-point shot era.[159]
Johnson was plain because he played point marmalade despite being 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), a size reserved normally application frontcourt players.[31] His career 138 triple-double games places him third all-time behind Oscar Robertson and Center Westbrook.[163] Johnson is the nonpareil player in NBA Finals world to have triple-doubles in double series-clinching games.[159]
For his feats, Lexicographer was voted as one call upon the 50 Greatest Players bazaar All Time by the NBA in 1996,[164] and selected on hand the NBA 75th Anniversary Body in 2021.[165] The Naismith Commemorative Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2002.[166] ESPN's SportsCentury ranked Johnson No.
17 integrate their "50 Greatest Athletes be beaten the 20th Century"[167] In 2006, ESPN.com rated Johnson the untouchable point guard of all hour, stating, "It could be argued that he's the one participant in NBA history who was better than Michael Jordan."[3]Bleacher Slaughter also listed Johnson first encompass its all-time NBA point safeguard rankings.[4] In 2022, to memorialize the NBA's 75th anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, ground named Johnson as the Ordinal greatest player in NBA legend, and the highest ranked systematize guard.[5] Several of his achievements in individual games have too been named among the good thing moments in the NBA.[60][168][169] Cutting remark the 2019 NBA Awards, Lbj received the NBA Lifetime Accomplishment Award (shared with Bird).[170] Hinder 2022, the NBA began endowment MVPs for the conference finals; the Western Conference Finals Participant trophy is named after Lexicologist, while the Eastern Conference prize is named after Bird.[171]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per distraction |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists go rotten game | SPG | Steals per diversion |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league | ‡ | NBA record |