Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson entered the NBA with a bang. He had just won the 1979 NCAA basketball championship as the leader of the Michigan State Spartans, beating the upstart Indiana State Sycamores lead by Larry Bird, in what would prove to be one of the most famous individual rivalries in the history of sports and would carry over into their professional careers.

Earvin, "Magic" Johnson was a big time recruit entering in college. Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, Magic made the decision to attend college at Michigan State and play for the hometown Spartans. He first received the nickname of Magic when he was playing for Everett High School in Lansing, recording a triple double, scoring 36 points, grabbing 18 rebounds and handing out 16 assists, as a 15 year old sophomore. Although he was recruited by a number of big name schools like UCLA and Indiana, he made the decision to attend Michigan State after being promised by coach Jud Heathcote that he would be able to play point guard.

Magic spent only two years at Michigan State, leaving for the NBA after his sophomore season. However, that second season culminated in a national championship with Magic leading the team. Upon entering the NBA, Magic picked up right where he left off in college. Though the honor of being named rookie of the year went to Larry Bird, Magic would go on to win the NBA title in his first season playing for the Lakers. Most memorably, Magic stepped in and played center in game 6, filling in for an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and turning in a masterful performance scoring 42 points, collecting 15 rebounds and recording 7 assists as the Lakers went on to win the title. He became the only rookie to win the NBA finals MVP.

In 1982, Magic would again return to the Finals with the Lakers to face the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers beat the 76ers in 6 games, with Magic once again winning the MVP. For the series he averaged 16.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists.

In 1984, an old rival would once again come calling. Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics had been rolling through the Eastern Conference, while Magic and the Lakers were dominating the West. It was a rematch of their famous NCAA finals and the first time that the Celtics and Lakers had faced each other in the finals since Larry Bird and Magic had entered the league. The Celtics would go on to beat the Lakers in a hard fought 7 game series. It seemed as if the Lakers would control the Finals early on, winning games 1 and 3, and losing at the very end of game 2. Despite losing the series, Magic still averaged 18.0 points 13.6 assists and 7.7 rebounds. In 1985, the Lakers would get revenge on the Celtics, this time defeating the Celtics in 6 games. Magic again turned in impressive stats averaging 18.3 points, 14.0 assists and 6.8 rebounds. In 1986 the Lakers would lose in the Western Conference Finals on a last second shot by the Houston Rockets in game 7. The Celtics would go on to defeat the Rockets in 6 games.

In 1987, however, the Lakers would come back and once again face the Celtics. This series would bring probably the most memorable moment of Magic's career, and one of his most frequently played highlights. The Lakers were trailing in game 6 by one point. Magic received the inbound pass and took the ball across the middle and let up a Sky hook, reminiscent of his teammate Kareem, which went in and won the game and the series for the Lakers, thus preventing a decisive game 7. Magic would again win the Finals MVP award averaging 26.2 points 13.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds. Magic also garnered his first regular season MVP award in 1987.

This would be the last time that the Magic Johnson Lakers and the Larry Bird Celtics would face each other in the Finals. Magic would go on to appear in the Finals 3 more times however, twice against the Pistons and once against the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers would win in 7 games in 1988 against a very hungry and scrappy Detroit Pistons team, led by perhaps the greatest little man to every play the game, Isaiah Thomas. James Worthy was the Finals MVP but Magic would still show strong averaging 21.1 points, 13 assists and 5.7 rebounds.

In the 1989 Finals, the Pistons would get past the Lakers, winning in 4 games after Magic went down with a hamstring injury in game 2. Magic was still a force however, winning regular season MVP awards in 1989 and 1990. The changing of the guard in the NBA would occur in the 1991 finals when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Lakers comfortably in 5 games.

Magic Johnson's stellar career would end abruptly on November 7, 1991 after announcing publicly that he had the HIV virus. He would come back briefly in 1996, playing power forward, and sporting a much larger and more muscular frame than he did during his earlier playing days. At age 36 he still averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds, playing in 32 regular season games.

Magic Johnson was a revolutionary player for the sport of basketball. He is one of professional sports' greatest winners, having won 5 NBA titles and appearing 8. His string of finals appearance occurred over the course of his entire career, beginning in his first season and ending in his final season, before his first retirement. Along with his arch-rival and contemporary, Larry Bird, he may be considered to be the greatest all around player in the NBA. His presence in the league changed the way the game was viewed and played.

Magic's career stats:

PPG: 19.5 RPG: 7.2 APG 11.2

Sources:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Johnson

www.nba.com/history/players/johnsonm_bio.html

www.blackvoices.com/work-money/black-professionals/magic-johnson