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)

In 2016 He hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. In 2017 Johnson replaced Jim Buss as the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers. (Johnson in 2017)

Today he turns 58 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=6u4tMGzhutk  “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=Z9BH7C49WEI  “An Interview with Magic Johnson”

Happy Birthday Michael Jordan

“I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed” - Michael Jordan

(Michael Jordan)

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born February 17th, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. His family moved to Wilmington, NC when he was a toddler. In 1981 Jordan accepted a basketball scholarship to North Carolina and majored in cultural geography.

(Jordan in 1981)

He was named ACC Freshman of the Year after he averaged 13.4 points per game (ppg) on 53.4% shooting (field goal percentage).He made the game-winning jump shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship game against Georgetown, which was led by future NBA rival Patrick Ewing. During his three seasons at North Carolina, he averaged 17.7 ppg on 54.0% shooting, and added 5.0 rebounds per game.

(Jordan in 1982)

Jordan left North Carolina one year before his scheduled graduation to enter the 1984 NBA draft. The Chicago Bulls selected Jordan with the third overall pick.

(Jordan in 1984)

In 1984 Nike created a signature shoe for him, called the Air Jordan. Also in 1984 he would go on to be voted Rookie of the Year. In the 1984 Summer Olympics Jordan won a gold medal in basketball. The team was coached by Bob Knight and featured players such as Patrick Ewing, Sam Perkins, Chris Mullin, Steve Alford, and Wayman Tisdale. Jordan led the team in scoring, averaging 17.1 ppg for the tournament.

(Jordan in 1984)

Jordan's second season was cut short by a broken foot in the third game of the season, which caused him to miss 64 games. Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986. In the 1986-87 season Jordan became the only player other than Wilt Chamberlain to score 3,000 points in a season, averaging a league high 37.1 points on 48.2% shooting. He became the first player in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season.

(Jordan in 1986)

Jordan led the league in scoring again in the 1987–88 season, averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5% shooting and won his first league MVP Award. He was also named the Defensive Player of the Year, as he had averaged 1.6 blocks and a league high 3.16 steals per game.

(Jordan in 1987)

In the 1988–89 season, Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the field, along with 8 rpg and 8 assists per game (apg).

(Jordan in 1988)

In the 1989-90 season Jordan averaged a league leading 33.6 ppg on 52.6% shooting, to go with 6.9 rpg and 6.3 apg in leading the Bulls to a 55–27 record.

(Jordan in 1989)

In the 1990–91 season, Jordan won his second MVP award after averaging 31.5 ppg on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rpg, and 5.5 apg for the regular season. In his first Finals appearance, against the Los Angeles Lakers, Jordan posted per game averages of 31.2 points on 56% shooting from the field, 11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks. Jordan won his first NBA Finals MVP award, and he cried while holding the NBA Finals trophy.

(Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Left) and Michael Jordan (Right))

Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance in the 1991–92 season, establishing a 67–15 record.  Jordan has had a long relationship with Gatorade, appearing in over 20 commercials for the company since 1991, including the "Be Like Mike" commercials in which a song was sung by children wishing to be like Jordan. Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game on 52% shooting. The Bulls went on to win Game 1, and defeat the Blazers in six games. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row and finished the series averaging 35.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 6.5 apg, while shooting 53% from the floor.

(Jordan in 1991)

In the 1992 Summer Olympics, he was a member of the star-studded squad that included Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and David Robinson and was dubbed the "Dream Team". Jordan was the only player to start all 8 games in the Olympics.

(The Dream Team, Larry Byrd( Left) Michael Jordan (Center) and Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Right))

In the 1992-93 season the Bulls won their third NBA championship defeating the Phoenix Suns. Jordan became the first player in NBA history to win three straight Finals MVP awards. During the Bulls' playoff run in 1993, controversy arose when Jordan was seen gambling in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In that same year, he admitted to having to cover $57,000 in gambling losses. On October 6, 1993 Jordan announced his retirement.

(Jordan in 1993)

On February 7th, 1994 Jordan signed a contract with the baseball team, the Chicago White Sox. In 1994, Jordan played for the Birmingham Barons, a Double-A minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, batting .202 with three home runs, 51 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases, and 11 errors.

(Jordan in 1994)

He also appeared for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the 1994 Arizona Fall League, batting .252 against the top prospects in baseball. On November 1, 1994, his number 23 was retired by the Bulls in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known as The Spirit outside the new United Center in Chicago, IL. On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA. In the 1995-96 season the Bulls dominated the league, starting the season 41–3, and eventually finishing with the best regular season record in NBA history: 72–10. The Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA Finals to win their fourth championship with Jordan. Jordan was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time, surpassing Magic Johnson's three Finals MVP awards.

(Jordan in 1995)

In 1996 Jordan starred in the movie Space Jam along with Bugs Bunny and other Looney Toons characters.

(Jordan in Space Jam (1996))

In the 1996-97 season for the fifth time Jordan received the Finals MVP award. Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth NBA championship, and secured a second three-peat in the 1997-98 season. Jordan was voted the Finals MVP, having led all scorers by averaging 33.5 points per game, including 45 in the deciding Game 6.

(Jordan in 1997)

Jordan retired for the second time on January 13, 1999. On January 19, 2000, Jordan returned to the NBA as part owner and President of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards.

(Jordan in 2000)

On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards.

(Jordan in 2001)

In the 2001-02 season Jordan torn cartilage in his right knee ending his season after only 60 games.  On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game. Jordan's final NBA game was on April 16, 2003 in Philadelphia. On May 7, 2003, Wizards owner Abe Pollin fired Jordan as Washington's President of Basketball Operations.

(Jordan (Left) and Kobe Bryant (Right))

Since 2004, Jordan has owned Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional closed-course motorcycle road racing team that competed with two Suzukis in the premier Superbike championship sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) until the end of the 2013 season.

(Jordan in 2004)

On March 17, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan's purchase of the Charlotte Bobcats, making him the first former player ever to become the majority owner of an NBA team. It also made him the league's only African-American majority owner. On May 21, 2013, Jordan filed papers to change the Bobcats' name to the Hornets, effective with the 2014–15 season.

(Jordan in 2013)

In 2016 Jordan was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

(Jordan (Front) with Barack Obama (Back))

Today is his 54th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Michael Jordan.

Movies starring Michael Jordan

• Space Jam (1996) as himself
• Michael Jordan to the Max (2000) as himself

Books featuring Michael Jordan

• Michael Jordan: the Life (2014) By Ronald Lazenby

Videos featuring Michael Jordan

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL--gQ2AvJY  “Michael Jordan Top 10 Plays of Career”  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQlKj21Al2o  “Michael Jordan 1981: First Ever TV Appearance, 15pts Vs. Rutgers”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTX5rD0lNeY  “1982: Jordan hits game-winner to lead North Carolina over Georgetown”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP-EIeGW4lk  “Michael Jordan 1984: 45pts Vs. Spurs (MJ's First 40+pt Gm)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Klk0jKJmdXw  “Michael Jordan 1986: 30 pts vs New York Knicks
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awAmDAXlgDY  “Michael Jordan 1987: 53 pts vs Pacers (70% fg)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaSkaY_dfqM  “nba all star 1988, slam dunk Michael Jordan”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g2z1dLzTcM  “Michael Jordan's , "The Shot" 5-7-1989”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTTESpDOYVY  “Michael Jordan (33-7-13) 1991 Finals Gm 2 vs. Lakers - The Famous Midair Hand-Switch”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oS1_XRcoGM  “Michael Jordan 1993: 42pts vs. Robinson's Spurs”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJzqORQcRGg  “MICHAEL JORDAN- Dateline Interview 1994”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1LeVCwyHas  “Michael Jordan Returns (March 19, 1995)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKNy-MWjkcU  “Space Jam (1996) Official Trailer - Michael Jordan, Bill Murray Movie HD”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFuba0mpBDk  “Michael Jordan 1997: 34pts (20pts in Last 7 minutes) Vs. NY Knicks”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx5UlJzmMLg  “MICHAEL JORDAN HONORED 2000”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzajjIIWwsc  “Michael Jordan vs. Boston Celtics (2001-2002)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr1bWxNdKJg  “Michael Jordan (Age 41) Vs. Damon Wayans Sr. (Age 44) One On One (September 21, 2004)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptzdaPJU4ZU  “Michael Jordan Dunk at age 50”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTWvhpd6Qpo  “Michael Jordan Receives The Presidential Medal of Freedom”

Happy Birthday Bill Russell

“Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory” - Bill Russell

(Bill Russell)

Bill Russell was born as William Russell on February 12th, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana, USA. At 8 years old he moved to Oakland, CA. When he was 12 his mother died. In school Russell had trouble playing basketball.He then played basketball for the University of San Francisco. Russell became a force on his team. Russell was a target of racism while in college. In 1954 his whole team protested against hotel which would not allow Russell and other Black players to stay.

(Russell in 1954)

In 1955 he won the NCAA championship. In 1956 he won the NCAA championship. During his college career Russell averaged 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game. He was also on his college’s track and field team. Also in 1956 he was drafted to the Boston Celtics. Also in 1956 he participated in the Olympics. He won a gold medal in basketball. The Celtics finished with a 44–28 regular season record. During a game with the NY Knicks Russell knocked out Ray Felix for constant harassment. In 1957 the Celtics won the NBA championship.

(Russell in 1957)

In 1958 he was voted MVP. In the 1958 NBA finals Russell got a foot injury in game 3.

(Russell in 1958)

In 1959 the Celtics won the NBA title. Also in 1959 Russell was the 1st NBA player to visit Africa.

(Russell (Right) and Wilt Chamberlain (Left))

In 1960 the Celtics won the NBA title. In 1961 the Celtics won the NBA title. He was also voted MVP.

(Russell in 1961)

In 1962 the Celtics won the NBA title. He also was voted MVP. In 1963 the Celtics won the NBA title.

(Russell in 1963)

In 1964 the Celtics won the NBA title. He also was voted MVP. In 1965 the Celtics won the NBA title.

(Russell in 1965)

In 1966 the Celtics won the NBA title. Russell then became the first African American coach in NBA history. In 1968 the Celtics won the NBA title.

(Russell in 1968)

In 1969 the Celtics won the NBA title. Russell then left the celtics. In 1972 Russell’s number was retired by the Celtics.

(Russell in 1972)

In 1973 he coached the Seattle Supersonics. In 1975 he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

(Russell in 1975)

In 1977 he stopped coaching the Supersonics. In 1979 he hosted Saturday Night Live.

(Russell in 1979)

In 1987 he coached the Sacramento Kings. In 1988 he stopped coaching the Kings.

(Russell in 1988)

In 2001 he published the book Russell’s Rules. In 2006 he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

(Russell in 2006)

In 2007 Russell was awarded an honorary doctorate by Suffolk University. Also in 2007 Russell received an honorary degree from Harvard University. Also in 2007 Russell was inducted as a member of the founding class of the FIBA Hall of Fame.

(Russell (Left) and Kobe Bryant (Right))

In 2008 the We Are Boston Leadership Award was presented to Russell. In 2009 the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award was renamed the "Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award".

(Russell (Center) with Paul Pierce (Right) and Kevin Garnett (Left))

In 2011 Russell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2013 he was arrested for bringing a firearm to an airport.

(Russell (Right) with Lebron James (Left))

Today is his 83rd birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Bill Russell.

Videos of Bill Russell

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7LqNAletFU  “1955 NCAA centers Bill Russell (29pts 16reb 2a 3blk) vs 7ft3 Wade Halbrook (18pts 18reb 2blk 3stl)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry1XfwfRioI  “Bill Russell and the 1956 College All Stars at Madison Square Garden”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF4HqiA8SY8  “1957 NBA Finals - The Bill Russell Dynasty Begins”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErlkZ4dRzys  “1959/60 (November 7th) Philadelphia Warriors@Boston Celtics - Chamberlain & Russell meets 1st time”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOzj-lpKNIo  “NBA Overtime: Bill Russell 1960”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSdfIEf9HOY  “Bill Russell Highlights 1962 Finals G7 vs Lakers - 30 Pts, 40 Rebs”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zod87fjoyv0  “Bill Russell - 8 blocks (5 against Jerry West!) vs Lakers, 1963 Finals Game 6”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV7vHBT2qAQ  “1966 NBA Finals G7 final 30 seconds (with Bill Russell and CLUTCH Jerry West)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGcgnRkPhoY  “Bill Russell - ''Last Points in the NBA'' (1969 Finals)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzTkAA9sTQA  “Soul Train (Dance-off featuring Bill Russell 1972)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY9t2WeMX1c  “Bill Russell - Bell System Commercial (1973)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeU_CW6v0GA  “NBA Overtime: Bill Russell 1987”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHNzUCXZShE  “Bill Russel on work ethic”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMlF2Eio9sQ  “2006 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame - Highlights -5min”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtTuD9ww0s8  “Kevin Garnett talks to Bill Russell 2007/2008”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqjUGBKvlsE  “Bill Russell All-Star Moment - 2009 in Phoenix”

(P.S. sorry for the late post)