Happy Birthday Earvin "Magic" Johnson

“Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates” - Earvin “Magic” Johnson

(Earvin “Magic” Johnson)

Earvin “Magic” Johnson was born on August 14th, 1959 in Lansing, Michigan, USA. As a young child Johnson loved basketball and his favorite player was Bill Russell.

(Johnson as a young child)

Johnson was on his high school basketball team. He changed high schools from a predominantly Black school to a predominantly White school where he faced a lot of racism while attending it. At 15 years old he got the nickname “Magic”.

(Johnson in high school)

After graduating high school Johnson attended Michigan State University.

(Johnson in college)

Also during this time he started his rivalry with other basketball player Larry Bird.

(Johnson (Left) and Larry Bird (Right))

In 1979 he was drafted into the NBA by the Los Angeles Lakers.

(Johnson in 1979)

In 1980 the Lakers won the NBA championship. Johnson won the Finals MVP award. In 1981 he missed 45 games due to torn cartilage in his left knee. Johnson then signed a 25 year, $25 million contract with the Lakers. In 1982 the Lakers won the NBA championship and Johnson won the Finals MVP award.

(Johnson in 1982)

In 1984 Johnson became friends with his rival Larry Bird. In 1985 the Lakers won the NBA championship. Also in 1985 Johnson created a charity event called “A Midsummer Night’s Magic”.

(Johnson in 1985)

In 1986 he won the Season MVP award. The Lakers won the 1986 NBA championship. Johnson won the Finals MVP award.

(Johnson in 1986)

In 1988 the Lakers won the NBA championship. In 1989 Johnson won the Season MVP award. Johnson also won the Finals MVP award.

(Johnson in 1989)

In 1991 Johnson found out that he was HIV positive. Also in 1991 Johnson made the “Magic Johnson Foundation”.

(Johnson in 1991)

Also in 1991 Johnson married Earlitha Kelly. In 1992 Johnson won the All Star MVP award. Also in 1992 Johnson was apart of the USA basketball team called “The Dream Team”. The Dream Team won Gold at the Olympics.

(The Dream Team)

In 1994 Johnson became coach of the Lakers. He then left the same year then bought 5% of the team. In 1996 he returned to playing for the Lakers.

(Johnson in 1996)

In 1997 he officially retired. In 1998 he hosted a talk show called “The Magic Hour”. In 1999 Johnson joined a swedish basketball team. Also in 1999 he was the main speaker for the UN’s World AIDS day.

(Johnson in 1999)

In 2000 he started a record label called “Magic Johnson Music”. In 2002 he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

(Johnson in 2002)

In 2006 he created a contract food service. In 2007 Johnson supported Hillary Clinton in her campaign for president. In 2008 he became an ESPN studio analyst. In 2010 Johnson and a few other basketball players played basketball with Barack Obama.

(Johnson (Left) and Barack Obama (Right))

Also in 2010 Johnson sold his share of the Lakers. In 2012 Johnson owned a share of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2014 he bought shares of the Los Angeles Sparks. Also in 2014 he bought shares of the Los Angeles Football Club. In 2015 he supported Hillary Clinton in her campaign.

(Johnson in 2015)

Today he turns 57 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

Videos of Earvin “Magic” Johnson

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUZJsJTA6M4   “1979 NCAA Finals - Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson [Opening]”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjZnhecZ8Fk  “Magic Johnson's 1st Game as NBA Player”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hyo1ugJ0IU  “Magic Johnson 1980 Finals: 42pts, Gm 6 vs. 76ers”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYN-SRO7ESc  “Kareem (23-7-5) & Magic (10-14-9) 1982 Finals Gm 1 vs. Sixers - Showtime Clinic”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgsTTGUyCX8  “Magic Johnson: 1986-87 MVP Presentation”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r8IehGHjwY  “Magic Johnson 1988: 29pts, 11rebs & 19asts vs. Atlanta Hawks”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSfy4AhDDnw  “Magic Johnson announces retirement Nov 7, 1991”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhU1Lbjl2DQ  “Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing & Co - Dream Team Highlights - Barcelona 1992 Olympics”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrpUbY_iYqw  “MAGIC is BACK!! Bulls @ Lakers 1996”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad9UqapGC7o  “Earvin "Magic" Johnson's Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BIIo7wxWnE  “Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson Greeted by Obama”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9BH7C49WEI  “An Interview with Magic Johnson”

(P.S. sorry for the late post)