They're Midwesterners, they were bigger players who handled the ball skillfully and they thought about their teammates' success. [227] Johnson was later criticized by the AIDS community for his decreased involvement in publicizing the spread of the disease. He wondered why so many athletes had failed at business, and sought advice. According to sports journalist Larry Schwartz of ESPN, Johnson and Bird saved the NBA from bankruptcy. In 1992, Buss had given Johnson a contract that paid him $14 million a year, as payback for all the years he was not the league's highest-paid player. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson: How Their Bitter Rivalry Turned Into A [15] His public announcement of his HIV-positive status helped dispel the stereotype, still widely held at the time, that HIV was a "gay disease" that heterosexuals need not worry about; his bravery in making this announcement was widely commended. [106], After a physical before the 199192 NBA season, Johnson discovered that he had tested positive for HIV. Similarly, Bird admitted that Johnson's daily box score was the first thing he checked in the morning. Tragic Details About Magic Johnson - msn.com [115][117] Johnson played infrequently because of knee problems,[118] but he received standing ovations from the crowd, and used the opportunity to inspire HIV-positive people. [75] Friends Isiah Thomas and Mark Aguirre consoled him that night, talking until the morning in his Boston hotel room amidst fan celebrations on the street. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magic's life. Johnson's mother, originally from North Carolina,[29] had also played basketball as a child, and she grew up watching her brothers play the game.[26]. In an appearance Wednesday on The View, former Los Angeles Laker Earvin "Magic" Johnson said Dr. Anthony Fauci was one of the doctors who helped him understand and treat HIV after his 1991. Magic Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know - people.com Famous Converse commercial that made Larry Bird and Magic Johnson (LAFC) of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2017. [80] After the Lakers defeated the Celtics in six games, Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson, who averaged 18.3points on .494shooting, 14.0assists, and 6.8rebounds per game in the championship series,[81][82] said the Finals win was the highlight of their careers. The franchise reached an agreement with free agent LeBron James on a four-year contract in 2018, but efforts to trade for Anthony Davis during the 201819 season proved unsuccessful. Through investment, partnership and consultation, Magic Johnson Enterprises has a portfolio of companies that strategically work together to reinforce the organization's focus on serving emerging, multicultural communities. [125][176] After Johnson ended his coaching stint, Buss sold him a 4% stake in the Lakers for $10 million, and Johnson served as a team executive. [123][124] Johnson, who took the job at the urging of owner Jerry Buss, admitted "I've always had the desire (to coach) in the back of my mind." [133] Nick Van Exel received a seven-game suspension for bumping referee Ron Garretson during a game on April 9. [23], Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" as a 15-year-old sophomore playing for Everett High School, when he recorded a triple-double of 36points, 18rebounds, and 16assists. [193][194] He has also made investments in urban real estate through the Canyon-Johnson and Yucaipa-Johnson funds. [78] Johnson later described the series as "the one championship we should have had but didn't get". [138][139] On November 1, 2002, Johnson returned to play a second exhibition game against Michigan State. Johnson says he agreed to it, but he was nervous because he had . [33], Despite their on-court rivalry, Johnson and Bird became close friends during the filming of a 1984 Converse shoe advertisement that depicted them as enemies. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, William Novak. The superstars' fiery relationship cooled after filming a 1985 Converse commercial filmed in French Lick, Ind., Bird's hometown. Michael B. Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Fanatics.com TV Spot, 'All-In Challenge' Featuring Kevin Hart, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, Samsung Galaxy Note II TV Spot, 'Big Day' Featuring LeBron James, NBA TV Spot, 'This Is Why We Play: Anthem', AT&T Wireless TV Spot, 'The Codes We Live By' Feat. 1,006 ratings37 reviews. Magic Johnson Music signed R&B artist Avant as its first act. [152], Johnson introduced a fast-paced style of basketball called "Showtime", described as a mix of "no-look passes off the fastbreak, pin-point alley-oops from halfcourt, spinning feeds and overhand bullets under the basket through triple teams. [177][178], Buss supported Johnson as he revealed his diagnosis of HIV in 1991, and he never hesitated to keep Johnson close to the organization, bringing him in as part-owner, and even as a coach. [224] He hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on August 22, 2016. Then one of our guys catches the ball and scores, and I run back up the floor convinced that he must've thrown it through somebody. [19][218], Johnson is a supporter of the Democratic Party. Other Facts: 9. Johnson sold his remaining interest in the stores back to the company in 2010, ending a successful twelve-year partnership. He was 20 years old and the year was 1980. Magic Johnson TV Commercials - iSpot.tv Magic Johnson wanted to hit Howard Stern after radio host in 1998 said [217] In 2018, Los Angeles FC debuted in MLS as an expansion team, and in 2022 won the MLS Cup. [192] The partnership, called Urban Coffee Opportunities, placed Starbucks in locations such as Detroit, Washington, D.C., Harlem, and the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles. Magic Johnson Since his retirement, Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex,[12] as well as an entrepreneur,[13] philanthropist,[14] broadcaster and motivational speaker. [165] In an impromptu news conference on April 9, 2019, Johnson resigned from the Lakers, citing his desire to return to his role as an NBA ambassador. [26] He also idolized players such as Earl Monroe and Marques Haynes,[27] and practiced "all day". [113], Johnson was chosen to compete in the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics for the U.S. national team, dubbed the "Dream Team" because of the NBA stars on the roster. During his retirement, Johnson began intense workouts to help his fight against HIV, raising his bench press from 135 to 300 pounds, and increasing his weight to 255 pounds. Peter Guber, who is the co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, owns a small stake in the Dodgers along with Johnson. [69] Johnson later said that his third season was when the Lakers first became a great team,[70] and he credited their success to Riley. [73], Prior to Johnson's fifth season, Westwho had become the Lakers general managertraded Nixon to free Johnson from sharing the ball-handling responsibilities. The Slovenian notched up a 30th career triple-double in his 146th game in the NBA, reaching the milestone in 44 fewer games than Magic . After making a bunny appear out of Samuel L. Jackson's cap, he begins sawing Jim Nantz in half for his final signoff, as Barkley, Jackson and Spike Lee look on in laughter. [85][86] The Lakers met the Celtics for the third time in the NBA Finals, and in Game 4 Johnson hit a last-second hook shot over Celtics big men Parish and Kevin McHale to win the game 107106. The pair launched an initiative to support minority and female-owned businesses, by providing customized health care plans for issues that disproportionately affect people of color. Capital One TV Spot, 'Final Four' Feat. Charles Barkley, Samuel L He had become more powerful and stronger than in his earlier years, but was also slower and less nimble. He is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all-time. [211] Johnson and Guber sold their stake in the Dragons in 2014. [44] The Lakers again reached the Finals, and for a third time faced the Sixers, who featured center Moses Malone as well as Erving. Johnson was awarded his third Finals MVP title after averaging 26.2points on .541shooting, 13.0assists, 8.0rebounds, and 2.33steals per game. When Magic Johnson heard of the proposal he told Converse ' You're crazy, I'm not shooting no commercial with Larry .' Eventually, Magic was persuaded and expected to shoot the commercial in LA. Ovitz encouraged him to start reading business magazines and to use every connection available to him. MBA CREF 2022: Magic Johnson Building Real Estate - Commercial Observer Magic Johnson's Son Goes Public With Boyfriend -- Dad Proud - TMZ He is also part of a group of investors that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and the Los Angeles Sparks in 2014,[18] and was part of the ownership group that established Los Angeles F.C. His plans underwent a dramatic change when he learned that he would be bused to the predominantly white Everett High School instead of going to Sexton,[26][30] which was predominantly black. Starbucks Acquires Remaining Interest in Magic Johnson Enterprises [212], Together with Guggenheim, Johnson was also involved in the February 2014 purchase of the Los Angeles Sparks team in the WNBA. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. and his family wife Cookie, daughter Elisa and sons Andre and EJ were joined by a star-studded roster of celebrities and professional athletes "In the. Magic Johnson Comes Out 'Swinging' in They Call Me Magic Docuseries [225], After announcing his infection in November 1991, Johnson created the Magic Johnson Foundation to help combat HIV,[226] although he later diversified the foundation to include other charitable goals. He had become a dominant junior high player, once scoring 48 points in a game. [113], Several journalists hypothesized that the JohnsonBird rivalry was so appealing because it represented many other contrasts, such as the clash between the Lakers and Celtics, between Hollywood flashiness ("Showtime") and Boston/Indiana blue collar grit ("Celtic Pride"), and between blacks and whites. Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan: Who'd Be Better To Build a Franchise A Shoe Commercial Is What Finally Helped Larry Bird and Magic Johnson According to the Los Angeles Times, Magic Johnson's earliest and arguably most vocal champion was a childhood friend named Reggie Chastine.A fellow playground baller in Lansing, Michigan, Chastine was teammates with Johnson at Everett High School and got the future star thinking about being a future star, that achievements like all-state and All-American selections were possible, if not probable. [44] In the 1988 playoffs, the Lakers swept the San Antonio Spurs in 3 games, then survived two 43series against the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks to reach the Finals and face Thomas and the Detroit Pistons,[90] who with players such as Bill Laimbeer, John Salley, Vinnie Johnson and Dennis Rodman were known as the "Bad Boys" for their physical style of play. [158] ESPN's SportsCentury ranked Johnson No. [188][189] In 2004, Johnson and his partner Ken Lombard sold Magic Johnson Theaters to Loews Cineplex Entertainment. About Starbucks Corporation Johnson is 6'9" tall. [94] Despite not being named MVP, Johnson had a strong championship series, averaging 21.1points on .550shooting, 13.0assists, and 5.7rebounds per game. The Celtics won Game 4 in overtime, and the teams split the next two games. 50 Fun Facts About Magic Johnson - CBS Detroit - CBS News Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. In December 2018, Magic Johnson's daughter, Elisa Johnson, and nine of her friends had a terrifying encounter when two armed men broke into a Californian Airbnb house they were staying in. You can connect with Magic Johnson on Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. Johnson was apprehensive at first because he and Bird never had a serious conversation at that point, and while he agreed to do the commercial, the two superstars didn't talk to each other during the actual shoot (via NPR ). Earvin "Magic" Johnson is the only NBA rookie to date to receive the Finals MVP Award. The rivalry with Larry Bird, another NBA superstar, began in college. [221] In 2012, he endorsed Barack Obama for president. [Indianapolis Star] - Larry Bird, Magic Johnson became friends in 1987 In the past 30 days, commercials featuring Magic Johnson have had 27,434 airings. The rising reality star is the son of NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson. NBA Legend Magic Johnson Discusses Ecolab Science Certified Partnership with Forbes Johnson underscores how the Ecolab Science Certified program is helping businesses advance cleaner, safer practices and people reclaim their social lives September 29, 2021 [210] Johnson and Guber were also partners in the Dayton Dragons,[209] a Class-A minor league baseball team in Dayton, Ohio, that sold out more than 1,000 consecutive games, a record for professional sports. [48] Lakers coach Jack McKinney had the 6-foot-9-inch (2.06m) rookie Johnson, who some analysts thought should play forward, be a point guard, even though incumbent Norm Nixon was already one of the best in the league. [87] The game-winning shot, which Johnson dubbed his "junior, junior, junior sky-hook",[87] helped Los Angeles defeat Boston in six games. Although they were facing the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets, the Lakers had home court advantage in the five-game series. LOS ANGELES, CA Magic Johnson and health insurance giant Cigna have teamed up to fight health disparities in POC communities within Los Angeles. He led the league in regular season assists four times, and is the NBA's all-time leader in average assists per game in both the regular season (11.19 assists per game) and the playoffs (12.35 assists per game). Random House. Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, and became a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famebeing enshrined in 2002 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team".

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