Magic Johnson was born in August of 1959, Magic had already won a state championship in high school basketball and an NCAA title by the time he reached the NBA in 1979.
Magic then performed very well with an average of 18 points, as well as nearly 8 rebounds and 7.5 assists with a team that went 60-22 during the regular season.
However, Magic Johnson’s legacy, was built in the NBA Finals. The Lakers faced the Philadelphia 76ers and future NBA Hall-of-Famer Julius Erving in the 1980 Finals. The Lakers took a 3-2
lead in the series, but Abdul-Jabbar sprained his ankle in Game 5. Kareem was out for Game 6 and Lakers coach Paul Westhead was facing a major problem for the crucial Game 6 – who would replace the big fella in the middle?
Most coaches would shy away from replacing their center position with a point guard, but few coaches had a 6’9 point guard. Johnson started at center in Game 6 and went on to record 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a 123-107 victory.
Magic’s extraordinary show earned him the honor of the only rookie in NBA history to win the “NBA Finals Most Valuable Player” as well as one of four to win an NCAA title and NBA championship in consecutive years.
Apart from his winning habits, Magic Johnson’s history is defined by special physique. Keep in mind that a 6’9 player running the point was virtually unheard of.
Magic Johnson was one of the best all-around performers in the history of game, but passing was easily his best attribute. Magic generally stood a good half foot or so higher than his defender, which ultimately made him a defensive nightmare.
Defend with a taller player and Magic was very quick and he is also considered as one of the greatest passers in NBA history.
Unfortunately, history of Magic Johnson will always be defined by something that is not related to basketball in the least. Magic retired suddenly in 1991 after announcing that he had the HIV virus. Magic returned to play in the 1992 All-Star game but retired shortly thereafter amidst protests from fellow players.
