Earvin Johnson: Magic Johnson

On August 14th, 1959, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was born in Lansing, Michigan. He went on to be a 5x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, a 12x All Star and the leader of the “Showtime” Lakers.

Magic went to Michigan State for 2 year (1977-1979). After winning the 1979 NCAA Championship against Larry Bird and Indiana, Johnson declared for the 1979 NBA Draft. He was selected with the 1st overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson was joining a team with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Cooper. Johnson averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists during the regular season, earning him All Rookie 1st Team and an All-Star selection. The Lakers went 60-22 and went to the NBA Finals. They beat the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2. Johnson started at center for Game 6 because Kareem was hurt, and recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. He won Finals MVP, the only time a rookie has won the honor. He is also one of 4 players to win both the NCAA Championship and the NBA Championship in consecutive years.

Early in the 1980-81 season, Johnson tore cartilage in his left knee, forcing him to miss 45 games. Johnson came back in time for the playoffs, but the team had no flow and lost to the 40-win Houston Rockets 2-1 in the 1st round of the playoffs. After the season ended, Johnson signed a 25-year, $25 million dollar deal with the Lakers, the highest payed sports contract in history up to that point.

In the 1981-82 season, Johnson had an altercation with his coach, Coach Westhead. They fired Westhead and replaced him with Pat Riley. Johnson averaged 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 9.5 assists along with a league high 2.7 steals. He was voted to the All-NBA 2nd Team. He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as the only player to tally at least 700 points, 700 rebounds, and 700 assists. The Lakers made it to the 1982 NBA Finals and were again met by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers won in 6 games, 4-2 and Johnson had his 2nd ring and 2nd Finals MVP.

The next season, Johnson averaged 16.8 points, 10.5 assists and 8.6 rebounds. This earned him his first All NBA 1st Team selection. They again reached the Finals, again against the 76ers. But, the Lakers were battered up and injured and got swept. Moses Malone was the Finals MVP.

During the 1983-84 season, Johnson averaged 17.6 points, 13.1 assists and 7.3 rebounds. The Lakers reached the Finals for the 3rd straight year, and were met by Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. This was the start of a rivalry in the 80’s between the 2 best teams in the NBA. The Celtics won in 7 games, and it was heartbreak for the Lakers.

In the 1984-85 NBA season, Johnson averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, and 6.2 rebounds. The Lakers went to the 1985 NBA Finals, were again met by Bird and the Celtics. The Lakers got revenge and won in 6 games.

In the 1985-85 season, Johnson again averaged a double-double, averaging 18.8 points, 12.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. They reached the Western Conference Finals, but lost to the Houston Rockets in 5 games.

In the 1986-87 season, Johnson averaged 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds. This earned him his first MVP award. The Lakers and Celtics met again in the Finals, but Johnson hit the hook shot in Game 4 to give them the 107-106 win. They eventually won the series in 6 games, with Johnson getting his 3rd Finals MVP.

In the 1987-88 season, Johnson averaged 19.6 points, 11.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds. They reached the NBA Finals and met the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons led by Isiah Thomas. It was Game 7 and James Worthy had a 36 point, 16 rebound, 10 assist triple-double that helped the Lakers win the title. This was Magic’s 5th and final title.

In the 1988-89 season, Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 12.8 assists and 7.9 rebounds. This earned him his 2nd MVP award. They went back to the 1989 Finals, but Johnson went down with a injury in Game 2 and the Pistons swept them 4-0.

Playing without Kareem for the 1st time, Johnson averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds, earning him his 3rd and final MVP award. The Lakers lost in the Western Conference Semifinals to the Suns, they’re earliest playoff exit in 9 years.

In the 1990-91 season, the new coach was Mike Dunleavy, and Johnson was getting older. He still managed to put up 19.4 points, 12.5 assists and 7.0 rebounds and helped the Lakers reach the 1991 NBA Finals against Jordan and the Bulls. This was the start of the Jordan era, as the Bulls handled the Lakers 4-1, the start of another dynasty.

Before the 1991-92 season, Magic Johnson learned that he had HIV and retired from the NBA immediately. Johnson was still voted to the 1992 All Star Game, where he won MVP. He was selected to be on the 1992 Dream Team. Before the 1992-93 season,

Johnson wanted to make an NBA comeback. He played a few practices and pre-season games, but retired again amid controversy from active players. He coached the Lakers a bit in 1994, but he stopped that as well. In 1996, Johnson made a real comeback to the NBA, and after they lost in the playoffs, Johnson officially retired. He was the Lakers president of basketball operation from February of 2017 to April of 2019.

In 1986-87, Johnson’s best season, he averaged 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds. Overall, Johnson was a 5x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 12x All Star, 2x All Star MVP, 9x All NBA 1st Team, All NBA 2nd Team (1982), All Rookie 1st Team (1980), 4x Assists Leader, 2x Steals Leader, NCAA Champion (1979), NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1979). He was inducted into the Hal of Fame in 2992 as an individual player and in 2012 as part of the Dream Team. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Johnson was the greatest PG in NBA History with his flashy passes, flair and his personality. He is one of the most successful basketball players who ever played the game.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of This Day In History, please leave a comment on which player I should d next and on which day.