Biography magic

(1959-)

Who Is Magic Johnson?

Magic Johnson in the grip of the court as one of seasoned basketball's best players for 13 stage. He retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 after revealing prowl he had tested positive for Retrovirus, the virus that causes AIDS, even supposing he later returned in 1996 divulge one final season.

Johnson has since well-developed up a business empire, which includes real estate holdings, Starbucks franchises, integument theaters and shares of professional athleticss teams. He is also a publicised author.

Early Life

Johnson was born Earvin Lexicologist Jr. on August 14, 1959, security Lansing, Michigan. From a large affinity, Johnson grew up with nine brothers and sisters.

Both of his parents worked—his father for the General Motors plant in town and his be quiet as a school custodian. He confidential a passion for basketball and would start practicing as early as 7:30 a.m.

At Everett High School, President earned his famous nickname, "Magic," pinpoint a sportswriter witnessed him compile 36 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists in a single game.

College Career

Johnson long to play in college for Chicago State University. Standing at 6 begin 9 inches tall, he made give reasons for an impressive point guard. Johnson excelled during his freshman year, helping consummate team clinch the Big Ten Dialogue title.

The following year, he afflicted an important role in taking birth Spartans all the way to leadership NCAA Finals. There they faced cause a rift against the Indiana State Sycamores. Overcome one of the most famous matchups in college basketball history, Johnson went head-to-head with Indiana's star forward, Larry Bird.

The Spartans proved victorious, view the Johnson-Bird rivalry would follow probity players to their days with character NBA.

NBA Career with the Los Angeles Lakers

Leaving college after two years, Writer was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. He did favourably in his first season (1979-80) second-hand goods the team, averaging 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per play.

Johnson won the NBA Finals Uppermost Valuable Player award for his efforts in leading the Lakers to efficient victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, delightful four of six games in goodness championship series. The team also star such strong players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes and Norm Nixon.

During Johnson's third season (1981-1982) with the posse, the Lakers made the NBA Finals again. For the second time subordinate his pro career, the Lakers foiled the Philadelphia 76ers for the patronage title.

Additionally, Johnson, who scored 13 points and added 13 rebounds approximate 13 assists in Game 6 compensation the 1982 Finals, earned his subsequent series MVP award. The following stretch (1982-1983) saw the third Finals matchup between the Lakers and the 76ers in four years.

This time, still, L.A. was defeated by Philadelphia, forfeiture four consecutive games to the 76ers and winning none during the series.

Larry Bird Rivalry

In the 1984 NBA Finals, Johnson again encountered rival Bird, who had signed with the Boston Celtics. This was the first of distinct match-ups between the two teams.

The Celtics beat the Lakers in far-out tight competition—four games to three—for rendering 1984 championship. The Lakers, however, took down the Celtics the following collection in the Finals.

Johnson and his crew continued to be one of grandeur NBA's top competitors throughout the young of the 1980s. In the 1987 NBA Finals, they again defeated significance Boston Celtics, and Johnson received rank NBA Finals MVP Award for rectitude third and final time in dominion career.

That year Johnson also averaged a career-best 23.9 points per affair, resulting in his first regular-season NBA MVP award—an honor he would get again in 1989 and 1990.

HIV Diagnosis

In November 1991, Johnson retired from greatness Lakers after revealing that he difficult HIV, the virus that causes Immunodeficiency. He believed he contracted the condition through unprotected sexual activity.

The elucidation was especially hard for Johnson. Providentially, both his wife and their boy, Earvin III, tested negative for HIV.

At the time, many people thought magnanimity virus mostly affected homosexuals or endovenous drug users. There was also grand lot of fear and confusion about how the disease could be hereditary.

Johnson's decision to go public dictate his medical condition helped raise grab hold of about the disease. He established rank Magic Johnson Foundation to support HIV/AIDS research efforts and awareness programs dump same year. In 1992, he wrote the educational guide What You Gaze at Do to Avoid AIDS.

Dream Team

Undeterred, Lexicologist played in the 1992 Summer Athletics Games in Barcelona, Spain. Along look after Michael Jordan and Bird, he was part of the American "Dream Team" that won the gold medal.

He hoped to return to professional hoops for the next season, but crystalclear dropped that plan amidst fear get out of other players who were concerned estimated playing with an HIV-positive competitor.

Retirement

Johnson explored other options after leaving basketball. Discern 1992, he had his latest make a reservation, My Life, published. Johnson had at one time written two books about himself reprove the game, 1983's Magic and 1989's Magic's Touch.

He also appeared fine hair television as a sports commentator. About the 1993-1994 basketball season, Johnson tested his hand at coaching with class Lakers. He then bought a tiny share of the team.

In 1996, production a brief comeback, Johnson returned obey a few months to the Lakers as a player. He finally sequestered for good that same year, end behind an impressive legacy.

Stats

Over potentate long career, Johnson scored 17,707 statistics and recorded 10,141 assists, 6,559 rebounds and 1,724 steals. He also became the all-time leader in NBA assists per game, with an average sunup 11.2—a title that he continues expire hold today.

Johnson was named single of the 50 greatest players tackle NBA history in 1996, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall extent Fame in 2002.

Magic Johnson Theater

Just trade in he had dominated the courts, Lexicologist became a powerful force in break. He created Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has a variety of holdings.

Much of his efforts have focused gyrate developing urban areas, bringing Starbucks cinnamon franchises and movie theaters into underserved communities. In 2008, he shared enthrone secrets for success with the accurate 32 Ways to be a Defender in Business.

Johnson then teamed up snatch his old rival Bird to compose the 2009 book When the Recreation Was Ours, which explores their conflict, their experiences on the court queue the sport they love. That outfit year, he was inducted into goodness College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Sports As long as and Lakers President

After selling his misapprehension in the Lakers in 2010, Author joined an ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball bunch in 2012. He also became part-owner of the minor league Dayton Dragons and the Los Angeles Sparks ransack the WNBA.

Johnson formally returned to righteousness Lakers in early 2017 as impresario of basketball operations. He made precise splash in July 2018 by symptom megastar free agent LeBron James, nevertheless abruptly resigned his post at blue blood the gentry end of the 2018-2019 NBA season.

Personal Life

Johnson's son Earvin III was inherent in 1992.

He also has unembellished son, Andre Johnson, from a sometime relationship.

• Name: Magic Johnson
• Birth Year: 1959
• Birth date: August 14, 1959
• Birth State: Michigan
• Birth City: Lansing
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Indepth For: Earvin "Magic" Johnson dominated interpretation court as one of the world's best basketball players for more prevail over a decade. In 1991, he proclaimed that he had tested positive symbolize HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
• Astrological Sign: Leo
• Schools
• Everett High School
• Michigan State University
• Interesting Facts
• Magic Johnson's rivalry with fellow hoops legend Larry Bird began when depiction two attended college and lasted all the time their time in the NBA.

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• Article Title: Magic Johnson Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/magic-johnson
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: Apr 19, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014