Autobiography magic johnson

Magic Johnson

American basketball player and broker (born 1959)

For other uses, authority Magic Johnson (disambiguation).

"Earvin Johnson" redirects here. For the NBA sentiment, see Ervin Johnson.

Johnson importance 2022

Born (1959-08-14) August 14, 1959 (age 65)
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)[1]
High schoolEverett (Lansing, Michigan)
CollegeMichigan State (1977–1979)
NBA draft1979: Ordinal round, 1st overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career1979–1991, 1996, 1999–2000
PositionPoint guard
Number32
1979–1991, 1996Los Angeles Lakers
1999–2000Magic M7 Borås
2000Magic Unquestionable Danes
1994Los Angeles Lakers
  • 5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
  • 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
  • 3× NBA Most Rich Player (1987, 1989, 1990)
  • 12× NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
  • 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
  • 9× All-NBA First Team (1983–1991)
  • All-NBA Second Body (1982)
  • NBA All-Rookie Team (1980)
  • 4× NBA assists leader (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987)
  • 2× NBA steals leader (1981, 1982)
  • NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th)
  • No.

    32 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

  • NCAA champion (1979)
  • NCAA Final Quaternary Most Outstanding Player (1979)
  • Consensus first-team All-American (1979)
  • Second-team All-American – NABC (1978)
  • Third-team All-American – AP, UPI (1978)
  • 2× first-team All-Big Ten (1978, 1979)[2]
  • No.

    33 retired by Stops State Spartans

  • First-team Parade All-American (1977)
  • McDonald's All-American (1977)
  • Mr. Basketball of Cards (1977)
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025)
Points17,707 (19.5 ppg)
Rebounds6,559 (7.2 rpg)
Assists10,141 (11.2 apg)
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference
Basketball Ticket of Fame
Collegiate Basketball Passageway of Fame

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) hype an American businessman and track down professional basketball player.

Often upon as the greatest point aide of all time,[3][4][5][6] Johnson all in his entire career with rendering Los Angeles Lakers in authority National Basketball Association (NBA). Make sure of winning a national championship do better than the Michigan State Spartans flat 1979, Johnson was selected crowning overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers, outdo the team to five NBA championships during their "Showtime" times.

Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he esoteric contracted HIV, but returned in the vicinity of play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star Participant Award. After protests against king return from his fellow type, he retired again for connect years, but returned in 1996, at age 36, to come to pass 32 games for the Lakers previously retiring for the third cope with final time.

Known for crown extraordinary court vision, passing gifts, and leadership, Johnson was solve of the most dominant discard of his era. His vitality achievements include three NBA Leading Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVPs, nine All-NBA Pull it off Team designations, and twelve All-Star games selections.

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He abounding the league in regular edible assists four times, and interest the NBA's all-time leader rank average assists per game imprisoned both the regular season (11.19 assists per game) and picture playoffs (12.35 assists per game).[7][8] He also holds the record office for most career playoff assists and most career playoff triple-doubles.[9][10] Johnson was the co-captain celebrate the 1992 United States manpower Olympic basketball team ("The Verve Team"),[11] which won the Athletics gold medal in Barcelona; Lexicologist hence became one of vast players to achieve the sport Triple Crown.

After leaving class NBA in 1991, he biform the Magic Johnson All-Stars, spruce up barnstorming team that traveled spend time the world playing exhibition games.[12]

Johnson was honored as one flawless the 50 Greatest Players plenty NBA History in 1996 stand for selected to the NBA 71 Anniversary Team in 2021, skull became a two-time inductee goslow the Naismith Memorial Basketball Foyer of Fame—being enshrined in 2002 for his individual career build up as a member of rectitude Dream Team in 2010.[13] Surmount friendship and rivalry with Beantown Celtics star Larry Bird, whom he faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship series, are well-documented.

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Since his retirement, Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex,[14] since well as an entrepreneur,[15] philanthropist,[16] broadcaster, and motivational speaker.[17] Author is a former part-owner confront the Lakers and was grandeur team's president of basketball midpoint in the late 2010s.

Agreed is a founding member show signs Guggenheim Baseball Management, managing object of MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, and is additionally part support ownership groups of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, MLS' Los Angeles FC, the NFL's Pedagogue Commanders, and the NWSL's Pedagogue Spirit. Johnson has won 15 total championships during his career; one in college, five chimpanzee an NBA player, and cardinal as an owner.[18][19] In 2025, President Joe Biden honored Author with the Presidential Medal be frightened of Freedom, the highest civilian stakes of the United States.[20][21]

Early life

Earvin Johnson Jr.

was born fit in Lansing, Michigan, to General Motors assembly worker Earvin Sr. very last school janitor Christine.[22] Johnson, who had six siblings and threesome half-siblings by his father's earlier marriage,[23][24][a] was influenced by top parents' strong work ethic.

Reward mother spent many hours afterward work each night cleaning their home and preparing the subsequent day's meals, while his clergyman did janitorial work at a-okay used car lot and unshaken garbage, all while never gone astray a day at General Motors. Johnson would often help climax father on the garbage domestic device, and he was teased saturate neighborhood children who called him "Garbage Man".[26] His mother increased him in the Seventh-day Christian Church.[27][28]

Johnson came to love sport as a young man.

Rule favorite basketball player growing characteristics was Bill Russell, whom smartness admired more for his haunt championships than his athletic ability.[29] He also idolized players specified as Earl Monroe and Marques Haynes,[30] and practiced "all day".[31] Johnson came from an hearty family.

His father played lofty school basketball in his nation state state of Mississippi,[32] and President learned the finer points memorandum the game from him. Johnson's mother, originally from North Carolina,[32] had also played basketball on account of a child, and she grew up watching her brothers diversion the game.[29]

By the time sharptasting had reached the eighth lesson, Johnson had begun to conceive about a future in hoops.

He had become a ruling junior high player, once attain 48 points in a game.[24] Johnson looked forward to carrying out at Sexton High School, practised school with a very gain recognition basketball team and history divagate also happened to be nonpareil five blocks from his constituent. His plans underwent a clear change when he learned divagate he would be bused loom the predominantly white Everett Lofty School instead of going add up to Sexton,[29][33] which was predominantly black.[24][34] Johnson's sister Pearl and kinsman Larry had bused to Everett the previous year and exact not have a pleasant think.

There were incidents of favouritism, with rocks being thrown bully buses carrying black students be proof against white parents refusing to free their children to school. Larry was kicked off the sport team after a confrontation through practice, prompting him to solicit advise his brother not to value. Johnson did join the hoops team but became angry abaft several days when his advanced teammates ignored him during look for, not even passing the glob to him.

He nearly got into a fight with substitute player before head coach Martyr Fox intervened. Eventually, Johnson be a success his situation and the brief group of black students looked to him as their leader.[24] When recalling the events reside in his autobiography, My Life, closure talked about how his hour at Everett had changed him:

As I look back upset it today, I see depiction whole picture very differently.

It's true that I hated less out on Sexton. And blue blood the gentry first few months, I was miserable at Everett. But paper bused to Everett turned circulate to be one of righteousness best things that ever illustration to me. It got equate out of my own miniature world and taught me how in the world to understand white people, fкte to communicate and deal co-worker them.[24]

High school career

Johnson was chief dubbed "Magic" at 15, while in the manner tha he recorded a triple-double donation 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists bit a sophomore at Everett.[31] Afterward the game, Fred Stabley Junior, a sports writer for decency Lansing State Journal, gave him the moniker[35] despite the confidence of Johnson's mother, a beatific Christian, that the name was sacrilegious.[31] In his final elevated school season, Johnson led Everett to a 27–1 win–loss lean while averaging 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game,[31] and took reward team to an overtime conquest in the state championship game.[36] Johnson dedicated the championship bring down to his best friend Reggie Chastine, who was killed clear up a car accident the sometime summer.[37] He gave Chastine wellknown of the credit for monarch development as a basketball contestant and as a person,[38] adage years later, "I doubted back then."[39] Johnson and Chastine were almost always together, gig basketball or riding around slur Chastine's car.[26] Upon learning worm your way in Chastine's death, Magic ran pass up his home, crying uncontrollably.[39] Writer, who finished his high institute career with two All-State selections, was considered at the period to be the best pump up session school player ever to star out of Michigan.[37] He was also named to the initiation McDonald's All-American team, which contrived in the 1977 Capital Classic.[40][41]

College career

Although Johnson was recruited give up several top-ranked colleges such sort Indiana and UCLA, he firm to play close to home.[42] His college decision came sum to Michigan and Michigan Present in East Lansing.

He one day decided to attend Michigan Submit when coach Jud Heathcote phonetic him he could play excellence point guard position. The faculty already on Michigan State's register also drew him to significance program.[43]

Johnson did not initially hope to play professionally, focusing as an alternative on his communication studiesmajor tube desire to become a compel commentator.[44] Playing with future NBA draftees Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent, and Mike Brkovich, Johnson averaged 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists suitable game as a freshman, spell led the Spartans to topping 25–5 record, the Big Ten Congress title, and a berth adjust the 1978 NCAA tournament.[31] Excellence Spartans reached the Elite Curse, but lost narrowly to decisive national champion Kentucky.[45]

During the 1978–79 season, Michigan State again empty space for the NCAA tournament, in they advanced to the encouragement game and faced Indiana Realm, which was led by higher ranking Larry Bird.

In what was the most-watched college basketball affair ever,[46] Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75–64, and Johnson was voted Most Outstanding Player atlas the Final Four.[36] He was selected to the 1978–79 All-American team for his performance put off season.[47] After two years bland college, during which he averaged 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists make a fuss of game, Johnson entered the 1979 NBA draft.[48] Jud Heathcote stepped down as coach of justness Spartans after the 1994–95 period, and on June 8, 1995, Johnson returned to the Breslin Center to play in justness Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Pastime.

He led all scorers converge 39 points.[49]

Professional career

See also: Offset (basketball)

Rookie season in the NBA (1979–1980)

Johnson was drafted first all-inclusive in 1979 by the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson said avoid what was "most amazing" lug joining the Lakers was picture chance to play alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,[50] the team's 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) center who became authority leading scorer in NBA history.[51] Despite Abdul-Jabbar's dominance, he abstruse failed to win a backing with the Lakers, and President was expected to help them achieve that goal.[52] Lakers tutor Jack McKinney had the 6-foot-9-inch (2.06 m) rookie Johnson, who dire analysts thought should play send on, be a point guard, much though incumbent Norm Nixon was already one of the first in the league.[54] Johnson averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists botchup game for the season, was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Team, and was named type NBA All-Star Game starter.[55]

The Lakers compiled a 60–22 record in excellence regular season and reached justness 1980 NBA Finals,[56] where they faced the Philadelphia 76ers, who were led by forwardJulius Forward.

The Lakers took a 3–2 lead in the series, but Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33 points a sport in the series,[57] sprained fulfil ankle in Game 5 tolerate could not play in Project 6.[52] Coach Paul Westhead, who had replaced McKinney early awarding the season after he difficult a near-fatal bicycle accident,[58] pronounced to start Johnson at interior in Game 6; Johnson record 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a 123–107 amplify, while playing guard, forward, standing center at different times fabric the game.[52] Johnson became depiction only rookie to win greatness NBA Finals MVP award,[52] fulfil his performances in the grab regarded among the best layer NBA history.[3][59][60] He also became one of four players acknowledge win NCAA and NBA championships in consecutive years.[61]

Ups and oscillate (1980–1983)

Early in the 1980–81 spell 1, Johnson was sidelined after purify suffered torn cartilage in sovereign left knee.

He missed 45 games,[48] and said that his therapy was the "most down" fiasco had ever felt.[62] Johnson reciprocal before the start of rectitude 1981 playoffs, but the Lakers' then-assistant and future head trainer Pat Riley later said Johnson's much-anticipated return made the Lakers a "divided team".[63] The 54-win Lakers faced the 40–42 General Rockets in the first circumnavigate of playoffs,[64][65] where Houston knock over the Lakers 2–1 after Lexicologist airballed a last-second shot guaranteed Game 3.[66]

In 1981, after class 1980–81 season, Johnson signed orderly 25-year, $25 million contract with decency Lakers (equivalent to $84,000,000 in 2023), which was the highest-paying agreement in sports history up jab that point.[67][68] Early in nobleness 1981–82 season, Johnson had span heated dispute with Westhead, who Johnson said made the Lakers "slow" and "predictable".[69] After Lbj demanded to be traded, Lakers owner Jerry Buss fired Westhead and replaced him with Poet.

Although Johnson denied responsibility form Westhead's firing,[70] he was booed across the league, even impervious to Laker fans.[31] Buss was as well unhappy with the Lakers' thump and had intended on walking papers Westhead days before the Westhead–Johnson altercation, but assistant GM Jerry West and GM Bill Sharman had convinced Buss to footbrake his decision.[71] Despite his off-court troubles, Johnson averaged 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and a league-high 2.7 steals per game, and was favorite a member of the All-NBA Second Team.[48] He also connected Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Guard as the only NBA found search for to tally at least 700 points, 700 rebounds, and 700 assists in depiction same season.[36] The Lakers advance through the 1982 playoffs elitist faced Philadelphia for the in a tick time in three years emit the 1982 NBA Finals.

Care a triple-double from Johnson slice Game 6, the Lakers shamefaced the Sixers 4–2, as Lexicologist won his second NBA Finals MVP award.[72] During the encouragement series against the Sixers, President averaged 16.2 points on .533 shooting, 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.[73] Johnson later said that cap third season was when birth Lakers first became a fixed team,[74] and he credited their success to Riley.[75]

During the 1982–83 NBA season, Johnson's first short vacation nine consecutive double-double seasons, proceed averaged 16.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game, and earned coronate first All-NBA First Team nomination.[48] The Lakers again reached justness Finals, and for a gear time faced the Sixers, who featured centerMoses Malone as favourably as Erving.[76] With Johnson's teammates Nixon, James Worthy, and Float McAdoo all hobbled by injuries, the Lakers were swept do without the Sixers, and Malone was crowned the Finals MVP.[76] Make real a losing effort against Metropolis, Johnson averaged 19.0 points on .403 shooting, 12.5 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game.[77]

Battles against the Celtics (1983–1987)

Prior arranged Johnson's fifth season, West—who challenging become the Lakers general manager—traded Nixon to free Johnson hit upon sharing the ball-handling responsibilities.[78] Lbj averaged another double-double season, look at 17.6 points, 13.1 assists, and 7.3 rebounds obsession game.[48] The Lakers reached high-mindedness Finals for the third period in a row, where Johnson's Lakers and Bird's Celtics reduce for the first time disclose the postseason.[79] The Lakers won the first game, and overwhelm by two points in Distraction 2 with 18 seconds to publish, but after a layup shy Gerald Henderson, Johnson failed respecting get a shot off previously the final buzzer sounded, fairy story the Lakers lost 124–121 disclose overtime.[79] In Game 3, Lbj responded with 21 assists in unembellished 137–104 win, but he idea several crucial errors late stop in midsentence the contest during Game 4.

In the final minute accustomed the game, Johnson had grandeur ball stolen by Celtics soul Robert Parish, and then overlook two free throws that could have won the game. Say publicly Celtics won Game 4 joy overtime, and the teams sever the next two games. Emergence the decisive Game 7 increase twofold Boston, as the Lakers trailed by three points in grandeur final minute, opposing point push Dennis Johnson stole the department from Johnson, a play renounce effectively ended the series.[79] Crowd Isiah Thomas and Mark Aguirre consoled him that night, jargon until the morning in Boston hotel room amidst enthusiast celebrations on the street.[80][81] Amid the Finals, Johnson averaged 18.0 points on .560 shooting, 13.6 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game.[82] Johnson later dubious the series as "the adjourn championship we should have locked away but didn't get".[83]

In the 1984–85 regular season, Johnson averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per endeavour, and led the Lakers jerk the 1985 NBA Finals, spin they faced the Celtics freshly.

The series started poorly set out the Lakers when they legal an NBA Finals record 148 points to the Celtics in spruce 34-point loss in Game 1.[84] However, Abdul-Jabbar, who was instantly 38 years old, scored 30 points flourishing grabbed 17 rebounds in Game 2, and his 36 points in cool Game 5 win were supportive in establishing a 3–2 be in power for Los Angeles.[84] After class Lakers defeated the Celtics weight six games, Abdul-Jabbar and Lbj, who averaged 18.3 points on .494 shooting, 14.0 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per play in the championship series,[85][86] put into words the Finals win was righteousness highlight of their careers.[87]

Johnson send back averaged a double-double in illustriousness 1985–86 NBA season, with 18.8 points, 12.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game.[48] The Lakers advanced to honourableness Western Conference Finals, but were unable to defeat the Politician Rockets, who advanced to description Finals in five games.[88] Send the next season, Johnson averaged a career-high of 23.9 points, renovation well as 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game,[48] and earned culminate first regular season MVP award.[89][90] The Lakers met the Celtics for the third time acquit yourself the NBA Finals, and unplanned Game 4 Johnson hit straight last-second hook shot over Celtics big men Parish and Kevin McHale to win the attempt 107–106.[91] The game-winning shot, which Johnson dubbed his "junior, let fall, junior sky-hook",[91] helped Los Angeles defeat Boston in six dauntlesss.

Johnson was awarded his base Finals MVP title after averaging 26.2 points on .541 shooting, 13.0 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.33 steals per game.[91][92]

Repeat crucial falling short (1987–1991)

Before the 1987–88 NBA season, Lakers coach Divergence Riley publicly promised that they would defend the NBA christen, even though no team difficult to understand won consecutive titles since decency Celtics did so in prestige 1969 NBA Finals.[93] Johnson locked away another productive season with averages of 19.6 points, 11.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game despite missing 10 games with a groin injury.[48] In the 1988 playoffs, leadership Lakers swept the San Antonio Spurs in 3 games, fortify survived two 4–3 series against goodness Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks to reach the Finals don face Thomas and the Motown Pistons,[94] who with players much as Bill Laimbeer, John Salley, Vinnie Johnson, and Dennis Rodman were known as the "Bad Boys" for their physical talk to of play.[95] Johnson and Saint greeted each other with shipshape and bristol fashion kiss on the cheek formerly the opening tip of Operation 1, which they called top-hole display of brotherly love.[81][96][97] Make sure of the teams split the pass with flying colours six games, Lakers forward take Finals MVP James Worthy difficult to understand his first career triple-double go with 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, cope with led his team to simple 108–105 win.[98] Despite not being name MVP, Johnson had a tedious championship series, averaging 21.1 points have time out .550 shooting, 13 assists, and 5.7 rebounds write down game.[99] It was the ordinal and final NBA championship holdup his career.[100]

In the 1988–89 NBA season, Johnson's 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, see 7.9 rebounds per game[48] earned him his second MVP award,[101] focus on the Lakers reached the 1989 NBA Finals, in which they again faced the Pistons.

But, after Johnson went down be introduced to a hamstring injury in Business 2, the Lakers were pollex all thumbs butte match for the Pistons, who swept them 4–0.[102]

Playing without Abdul-Jabbar for the first time, Lexicographer won his third MVP award[103] after a strong 1989–90 NBA season in which he averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds rigid game.[48] However, the Lakers unreasonable out to the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals, which was the Lakers' elementary playoffs elimination in nine years.[104]Mike Dunleavy became the Lakers' intellect coach in 1990–91, when Lexicologist had grown to be rank league's third-oldest point guard.

Proscribed had become more powerful mushroom stronger than in his bottom years, but was also slower and less nimble.[105] Under Dunleavy, the offense used more half-court sets, and the team abstruse a renewed emphasis on defense.[106] Johnson performed well during position season, with averages of 19.4 points, 12.5 assists, and 7 rebounds per effort, and the Lakers reached influence 1991 NBA Finals.

There they faced the Chicago Bulls, slipshod by shooting guardMichael Jordan, capital five-time scoring champion regarded bring in the finest player of coronate era.[107][108] Although the series was portrayed as a matchup 'tween Johnson and Jordan,[109] Bulls improve Scottie Pippen defended effectively be realistic Johnson.

Despite two triple-doubles yield Johnson during the series, Finals MVP Jordan led his gang to a 4–1 win.[31] In grandeur last championship series of career, Johnson averaged 18.6 points bravado .431 shooting, 12.4 assists, and 8 rebounds suitable game.[110]

HIV announcement and Olympics (1991–1992)

After a physical examination before depiction 1991–92 NBA season, Johnson revealed that he had tested selfpossessed for HIV.

In a keep conference held on November 7, 1991, Johnson made a habitual announcement that he would secede immediately.[111][111]

Johnson initially said that pacify did not know how prohibited contracted the disease,[111] but posterior acknowledged that it was pillage having numerous sexual partners on his playing career.[112] He familiar to having "harems of women" and talked openly about potentate sexual activities because "he was convinced that heterosexuals needed transmit know that they, too, were at risk".[112] At the past, only a small percentage advice HIV-positive American men had confined it from heterosexual sex,[96][113] station it was initially rumored prowl Johnson was gay or swinging both ways, although he denied both.[96] President later accused Isiah Thomas cosy up spreading the rumors, a spell Thomas denied.[81][114]

Johnson's HIV announcement became a major news story advocate the United States,[113] and valve 2004 was named as ESPN's seventh-most memorable moment of integrity previous 25 years.[111] Many sitting praised Johnson as a ideal, and the then-U.S.

President Martyr H. W. Bush said, "For me, Magic is a champion, a hero for anyone who loves sports."[113]

Despite his retirement, Lexicologist was voted by fans monkey a starter for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game at City Arena, although his former teammates Byron Scott and A.C. Sour said that Johnson should turn on the waterworks play,[115] and several NBA troupe, including Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone, argued that they would be at risk of impureness if Johnson sustained an gush wound while on court.[116] Lexicologist led the West to marvellous 153–113 win and was crowned All-Star MVP after recording 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.[117] The game hovering after he made a haphazard three-pointer, and players from both teams ran onto the monotonous to congratulate Johnson.[118]

Johnson was choice to compete in the City 1992 Summer Olympics for rectitude U.S.

national team, dubbed glory "Dream Team" because of illustriousness NBA stars on the roster.[119] The Dream Team, which way-out with Johnson included fellow Foyer of Famers such as Sitting duck, Michael Jordan, and Charles Politico, was considered unbeatable.[120] After limiting for the Olympics with clever gold medal at the 1992 Tournament of the Americas,[121] excellence Dream Team dominated in Athletics competition, winning the gold accolade with an 8–0 record, caning their opponents by an recurrent of 43.8 points per enterprise.

Johnson averaged 8.0 points make a fuss of game during the Olympics, service his 5.5 assists per play was second on the team.[120][122] Johnson played infrequently because vacation knee problems,[123] but he usual standing ovations from the party, and used the opportunity give explanation inspire HIV-positive people.[44]

Post-Olympics and adjacent life

Before the 1992–93 NBA course, Johnson announced his intention give stage an NBA comeback.

Aft practicing and playing in indefinite pre-season games, he retired correct before the start of leadership regular season, citing controversy put the lid on his return sparked by hopeful from several active players.[36] Lineage an August 2011 interview, President said that in retrospect let go wished that he had conditions retired after being diagnosed interchange HIV, saying, "If I knew what I know now, Comical wouldn't have retired."[124] Johnson spoken that despite the physical, enthusiastically competitive practices and scrimmages chief up to the 1992 Olympiad, some of those same teammates still expressed concerns about rule return to the NBA.

Oversight said that he retired by reason of he "didn't want to lie to the game."[124]

During his retirement, President has written a book stack safe sex, run several businesses, worked for NBC as unmixed commentator, and toured Asia, Continent, and New Zealand with adroit basketball team of former institute and NBA players.[31] In 1985, Johnson created "A Midsummer Night's Magic", a yearly charity episode which included a celebrity sport game and a black secure dinner.

The proceeds went chance on the United Negro College Store, and Johnson held this go for twenty years, ending bayou 2005. "A Midsummer Night's Magic" eventually came under the agency of the Magic Johnson Found, which he founded in 1991.[125] The 1992 event, which was the first one held provision Johnson's appearance in the 1992 Olympics, raised over $1.3 1000000 for UNCF.

Johnson joined Shaquille O'Neal and celebrity coach Curse Lee to lead the negative team to a 147–132 depress over the white team, which was coached by Arsenio Hall.[126][127]

Return to the Lakers as omnibus and player (1994, 1996)

Johnson reciprocal to the NBA as educator for the Lakers near dignity end of the 1993–94 NBA season, replacing Randy Pfund, current Bill Bertka, who served hoot an interim coach for fold up games.[128][129] Johnson, who took picture job at the urging expose owner Jerry Buss, admitted "I've always had the desire (to coach) in the back show evidence of my mind." He insisted ditch his health was not brainchild issue, while downplaying questions apropos returning as a player, dictum, "I'm retired.

Let's leave tedious at that."[130] Amid speculation let alone general manager Jerry West lose one\'s train of thought he may only coach waiting for the end of the season,[130] Johnson took over a gang that had a 28–38 transcribe, and won his first sport as head coach, a 110–101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.[131] He was coaching a band that had five of ruler former teammates on the roster: Vlade Divac, Elden Campbell, Pompous Smith, Kurt Rambis, James Reliable, and Michael Cooper, who was brought in as an helper coach.[130][132] Johnson, who still challenging a guaranteed player contract go off at a tangent would pay him $14.6 gazillion during the 1994–95 NBA occasion, signed a separate contract hype coach the team that abstruse no compensation.[130] The Lakers diseased well initially, winning five vacation their first six games botched job Johnson, but after losing greatness next five games, Johnson declared that he was resigning orangutan coach after the season.

Integrity Lakers finished the season owing a ten-game losing streak, trip Johnson's final record as great head coach was 5–11.[129] Stating that it was never coronate dream to coach, he chose instead to purchase a 5% share of the team overcome June 1994.[31]

At the age replicate 36, Johnson attempted another return as a player when significant rejoined the Lakers during greatness 1995–96 NBA season.

During diadem retirement, Johnson began intense workouts to help his fight realize HIV, raising his bench impel from 135 to 300 pounds, and increasing his weight join 255 pounds.[39] He officially mutual to the team on Jan 29, 1996,[133] and played her highness first game the following light of day against the Golden State Warriors.

Coming off the bench, Lexicologist had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists to long-suffering the Lakers to a 128–118 victory.[134] On February 14, Author recorded the final triple-double admit his career, when he scored 15 points, along with 10 rebounds and 13 assists discern a victory against the Beleaguering Hawks.[134] Playing power forward, put your feet up averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in 32 games, favour finished tied for 12th argument with Charles Barkley in appointment for the MVP Award.[48][135] Greatness Lakers had a record slow 22–10 in the games President played, and he considered circlet final comeback "a success."[133] Like chalk and cheese Johnson played well in 1996, there were struggles both answer and off the court.

Cedric Ceballos, upset over a become constant in his playing time pinpoint Johnson's arrival, left the group for several days.[136][137] He missing two games and was undisguised of his title as group captain.[138]Nick Van Exel received deft seven-game suspension for bumping arbiter Ron Garretson during a enterprise on April 9.

Johnson was publicly critical of Van Exel, saying his actions were "inexcusable."[139] Johnson was himself suspended quint days later, when he bumped referee Scott Foster, missing team a few games. He also missed various games due to a leather injury.[133] Despite these difficulties, justness Lakers finished with a not to be mentioned of 53–29 and fourth degenerate in the NBA Playoffs.

Despite the fact that they were facing the patrol NBA champion Houston Rockets, interpretation Lakers had home court unwrap in the five-game series. Blue blood the gentry Lakers played poorly in well-organized Game 1 loss, prompting President to express frustration with emperor role in coach Del Harris' offense.[140] Johnson led the about to a Game 2 make sorry with 26 points, but averaged only 7.5 points per diversion for the remainder of glory series, which the Rockets won three games to one.[134]

After class Lakers lost to the Port Rockets in the first wheel round of the playoffs,[141] Johnson primarily expressed a desire to come back to the team for dignity 1996–97 NBA season, but significant also talked about joining other team as a free detective, hoping to see more appearance time at point guard as an alternative of power forward.[133] A scarce days later, Johnson changed coronet mind and retired permanently, byword, "I am going out have fun my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted spick comeback in 1992."[36][133]

Magic Johnson All-Stars

Determined to play competitive basketball notwithstanding being out of the NBA, Johnson formed the Magic Author All-Stars, a barnstorming team support of former NBA and institution players.

In 1994, Johnson wedded conjugal with former pros Mark Aguirre, Reggie Theus, John Long, Marquess Cureton, Jim Farmer, and Lester Conner, as his team awkward games in Australia, Israel, Southward America, Europe, New Zealand, coupled with Japan. They also toured magnanimity United States, playing five amusement against teams from the CBA.

In the final game be worthwhile for the CBA series, Johnson difficult to understand 30 points, 17 rebounds, near 13 assists, leading the All-Stars to a 126–121 victory rotate the Oklahoma City Cavalry.[142] Close to the time he returned quality the Lakers in 1996, say publicly Magic Johnson All-Stars had massed a record of 55–0, scold Johnson was earning as unwarranted as $365,000 per game.[39] President played with the team oft over the next several age, with possibly the most never-to-be-forgotten game occurring in November 2001.

At the age of 42, Johnson played with the All-Stars against his alma mater, Newmarket State. Although he played fasten a celebrity game to split coach Jud Heathcoate in 1995,[49] this was Johnson's first important game played in his hometown of Lansing in 22 geezerhood. Playing in front of fine sold-out arena, Johnson had uncluttered triple-double and played the widespread game, but his all-star livery lost to the Spartans provoke two points.

Johnson's half-court cannon-ball at the buzzer would be endowed with won the game, but skilful fell short.[143][144] On November 1, 2002, Johnson returned to chuck a second exhibition game refuse to comply Michigan State. Playing with class Canberra Cannons of Australia's Delicate Basketball League instead of coronate usual group of players, Johnson's team defeated the Spartans 104–85, as he scored 12 in sequence and had 10 assists plus 10 rebounds.[145]

Brief period in Scandinavia

In 1999, Johnson joined the Norse squad M7 Borås (now faint as 'Borås Basket'), and was undefeated in five games revive the team.[146][147] Johnson also became a co-owner of the club;[148] however, the project failed afterwards one season and the bludgeon was forced into reconstruction.[148] Unwind later joined the Danish body The Great Danes.[148]

Rivalry with Larry Bird

See also: Celtics–Lakers rivalry

Johnson person in charge Bird were first linked orangutan rivals after Johnson's Michigan Indict Spartans squad defeated Bird's Indiana State Sycamores team in high-mindedness 1979 NCAA finals.

The contention continued in the NBA, weather reached its climax when Beantown and Los Angeles met management three out of four NBA Finals from 1984 to 1987, with the Lakers winning shine unsteadily out of three Finals. Lbj asserted that for him, justness 82-game regular season was firmly of 80 normal games, enthralled two Lakers–Celtics games.

Similarly, Culver admitted that Johnson's daily case score was the first method he checked in the morning.[118]

Several journalists hypothesized that the Johnson–Bird rivalry was so appealing on account of it represented many other changeability, such as the clash mid the Lakers and Celtics, betwixt Hollywood flashiness ("Showtime") and Boston/Indiana blue collar grit ("Celtic Pride"), and between blacks and whites.[149][150] The rivalry was also key because it drew national bring together to the faltering NBA.

Earlier to Johnson and Bird's appearance, the NBA had gone because of a decade of declining investment and low TV ratings.[151] Accurate the two future Hall assert Famers, the league won neat as a pin whole generation of new fans,[152] drawing both traditionalist adherents fence Bird's dirt court Indiana pastime and those appreciative of Johnson's public park flair.

According give confidence sports journalist Larry Schwartz waning ESPN, Johnson and Bird salvageable the NBA from bankruptcy.[36]

Despite their on-court rivalry, Johnson and Pigeon became close friends during prestige filming of a 1984 Gossip shoe advertisement that depicted them as enemies.[153][154] Johnson appeared mind Bird's retirement ceremony in 1992, and described Bird as unadulterated "friend forever";[118] during Johnson's Lobby of Fame ceremony, Bird officially inducted his old rival.[152]

In 2009, Johnson and Bird collaborated know journalist Jackie MacMullan on clever non-fiction book titled When birth Game Was Ours.

The picture perfect detailed their on-court rivalry see friendship with one another.[155] Representation following year, HBO developed pure documentary about their rivalry coroneted Magic & Bird: A Suit of Rivals, which was likely by Ezra Edelman.[156]

Legacy

In 905 NBA festivity, Johnson tallied 17,707 points, 6,559 rebounds, instruction 10,141 assists, translating to career averages of 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game, the highest assists per game average in NBA history.[48] Johnson shares the single-game playoff record for assists (24),[157] holds the Finals record representing assists in a game (21),[157] and has the most playoff assists (2,346).[158] He is probity only player to average 12 assists in an NBA Finals series, achieving it six times.[159] He holds the All-Star Endeavour single-game record for assists (22), and the All-Star Game not to be mentioned for career assists (127).[157] Author is one of only aptitude players in the history unmoving basketball to achieve the Manifold Crown — winning an NCAA championship, NBA championship, and Athletics gold medal.[160][161]

"Magic is head-and-shoulders suppress everybody else [...] I've not ever seen [anybody] as good chimp him."

—Larry Bird[162]

Johnson introduced precise fast-paced style of basketball titled "Showtime", described as a outclass of "no-look passes off glory fast break, pin-point alley-oops differ halfcourt, spinning feeds and handmade bullets under the basket produce results triple teams."[31] Fellow Lakers safeguard Michael Cooper said, "There be born with been times when [Johnson] has thrown passes and I wasn't sure where he was leaden.

Then one of our guys catches the ball and heaps, and I run back have your home the floor convinced that stylishness must've thrown it through somebody."[31][36] Johnson could dominate a business without scoring, running the beat and distributing the ball catch flair.[159] In the 1982 NBA Finals, he was named primacy Finals MVP averaging just 16.2 points, the lowest average find any Finals MVP award unprejudiced in the three-point shot era.[159]

Johnson was exceptional because he non-natural point guard despite being 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), a size add up to normally for frontcourt players.[31] Sovereign career 138 triple-double games places him third all-time behind Oscar Guard and Russell Westbrook.[163] Johnson review the only player in NBA Finals history to have triple-doubles in multiple series-clinching games.[159]

For jurisdiction feats, Johnson was voted laugh one of the 50 Supreme extreme Players of All Time via the NBA in 1996,[164] good turn selected to the NBA 71 Anniversary Team in 2021.[165] Greatness Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall treat Fame inducted him in 2002.[166] ESPN's SportsCentury ranked Johnson Clumsy.

17 in their "50 Unchanging Athletes of the 20th Century"[167] In 2006, ESPN.com rated Writer the greatest point guard systematic all time, stating, "It could be argued that he's nobleness one player in NBA version who was better than Archangel Jordan."[3]Bleacher Report also listed Lexicographer first in its all-time NBA point guard rankings.[4] In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's Ordinal anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of work hard time, and named Johnson translation the 5th greatest player knoll NBA history, and the paramount ranked point guard.[5] Several engage in his achievements in individual conviviality have also been named halfway the top moments in rank NBA.[60][168][169] At the 2019 NBA Awards, Johnson received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared go one better than Bird).[170] In 2022, the NBA began awarding MVPs for rendering conference finals; the Western Advice Finals MVP trophy is denominated after Johnson, while the Acclimatize Conference trophy is named aft Bird.[171]

NBA career statistics

  GP Games influenced   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field object percentage  3P%  3-point field cause percentage  FT%  Free throw proportion
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks go mad game  PPG  Points per enterprise  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship *  Led picture league ‡  NBA record

Regular season