Magic Johnson - An Athlete With Style | Lifestyle

by DeniseISmithson

Magic "Earvin" Johnson, Jr. was born on August 14, 1959 in Landing, Michigan. His career began at Everett High School in Lansing and he went on to Michigan State before being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. Magic had nine brothers and sisters and his father worked for General Motors while his mother was a school custodian. In his own words, Magic would say as a kid, "I practiced all day and I dribbled to the store with my right hand and back with my left-I even slept with my basketball."

Johnson became known as "Magic" while still playing on his high school basketball team. A reporter covering a game could find no other way to convey the skill with which Johnson played. After graduating from high school, Johnson chose to attend Michigan State in East Lansing, MI in order to stay close to home. While in college, Johnson played on the school team, the well known Spartans. While a Spartan, Johnson led the team to a 25-5 record and a Big Ten conference title in his first year! His record the following year was no less impressive; the Spartans defeated Larry Bird's Indiana State team to capture the national title in one of the most closely watched NCAA games ever.

Johnson made the decision to go professional and entered into the 1979 draft. Johnson was quickly drafted by the LA Lakers. LA fans were eager to see this famed college player wear the Lakers uniform and he didn't disappoint them. While the NBA's Rookie if the year award went to Larry Bird that year, Magic Johnson did help the Lakers to win the NBA championship in his first season, achieving an impressive 60-22 record. The Lakers were unstoppable the next season as well, with Johnson becoming the first rookie to start in an All Star game since the late sixties.

As fans and sportswriters everywhere will tell you, in 1980, the NBA finals that featured the Lakers and Philly's 76ers showed a legend in the making when Johnson performance clinched the win in the sixth game of the series. In that game, he scored 42 points, 15, boards, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Again, he was the first and only rookie to ever win the Finals MVP Award. As Magic put it, "I just wanted to do whatever the (Lakers) needed to do to win. I was having fun." The following year, pro sports hit Johnson, when he missed 45 games with a torn knee cartilage.

Upon his recovery, the Lakers lost no time in regaining their glory, destroying all opposition to take the division title and once again defeated Philadelphia in the NBA finals; and Johnson won his second NBA finals MVP award.

Johnson signed another contract with the Lakers in 1984 - this time for $25 million and led the team to three NBA titles in the next four years. Johnson even scored 38 points in one game (against Houston) and 46 points (against Sacramento) in the 86-87 season. Johnson also achieved a career high scoring average - 23.9 points per game! Johnson would be named the NBA's MVP for this season, an award he would also win in 1989 and 1990.

Johnson announced before the start of the 1991-1992 season that he had HIV and would be retiring. However, he didn't simply bow out. Johnson played in the 1991 All-Star game, where he received the MVP award. Johnson has kept extremely busy ever since both in and out of the sports world. He authored a book on safe sex, started companies and foundations, worked as a NBC sports commentator and even spent part of a season filling in as head coach for the Lakers! Johnson also played on the US Olympic Basketball "Dream Team" in 1992. Johnson also returned to the Lakers for part of a season in 1996; a fitting victory lap for this basketball legend.

Magic Johnson made some incredible achievements in his 13 season career in the NBA. He scored 17, 707 points, 6.559 rebounds, 10,141 assists and 1,724 steals. Johnson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hal of Fame in 2002. He remains focused on his charitable work and his own companies; but even after years off the court he is still one of the biggest names in basketball. As his longtime rival and admirer Larry Byrd says of him: : Magic is head-and-shoulders above everybody else. I've never seen anybody as good as him.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

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