1990-91 Fleer Magic Johnson #4 All-Stars Lakers HOF PSA 9

Description: Magic Johnson, born Earvin Johnson Jr. on August 14, 1959, is one of the greatest and most influential basketball players in NBA history. Known for his extraordinary court vision, size, and leadership, Magic revolutionized the point guard position and helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s. Here’s a detailed look at his legendary career: Early Life and College Career: •Birth and Early Life: Magic Johnson was born in Lansing, Michigan, and was a basketball prodigy from a young age. He earned the nickname “Magic” after a standout high school performance in which he recorded a triple-double, and a local sportswriter dubbed him “Magic” for his sensational play. •College: Magic attended Michigan State University, where he led the Spartans to the NCAA Championship in 1979. In one of the most famous college basketball games of all time, Johnson’s Michigan State team defeated Larry Bird’s Indiana State team in the championship game, sparking one of the greatest rivalries in basketball history. NBA Career: Magic Johnson was selected as the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, and he would go on to define an era of basketball with his charisma, leadership, and versatility. Key Achievements: •5x NBA Champion: Magic led the Lakers to five NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988), forming the foundation of the team’s “Showtime” era. Known for its up-tempo, fast-breaking style, Showtime Lakers basketball was one of the most entertaining and dominant dynasties in NBA history. •3x NBA MVP: Magic was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times (1987, 1989, 1990), cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time. •3x NBA Finals MVP: Magic won the NBA Finals MVP three times (1980, 1982, 1987). His versatility, leadership, and ability to elevate his play in the most important moments were key to the Lakers’ success in the Finals. •12x NBA All-Star: Magic was selected to the NBA All-Star Game 12 times over the course of his career (1980–1992). •All-NBA Teams: Magic was named to the All-NBA First Team nine times, further highlighting his status as one of the top players in the league. •NBA Rookie of the Year: Magic won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1980 after an incredible debut season. NBA Finals Performance: •1980 NBA Finals: In Magic’s rookie season, he helped the Lakers win the championship, and his performance in the 1980 NBA Finals is legendary. With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar injured for Game 6, Magic started at center and put on a historic performance, scoring 42 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists to clinch the title. He became the first and only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award. •1987 NBA Finals: In the 1987 Finals, Magic delivered one of his most iconic moments when he made the famous “junior, junior sky hook” over the Boston Celtics to give the Lakers a crucial Game 4 victory in a series they would eventually win. Revolutionizing the Point Guard Position: Magic Johnson’s unique combination of size (6’9”) and court vision transformed the point guard position. Before Magic, point guards were typically smaller, but Magic’s ability to see over defenders and make incredible passes in transition and half-court sets made him one of the most dynamic playmakers the game has ever seen. He regularly led the league in assists and was known for his flashy, no-look passes, often turning routine plays into highlights. The Showtime Lakers: Magic Johnson was the centerpiece of the “Showtime Lakers,” a team that dominated the NBA in the 1980s with a fast-paced, high-scoring style of basketball. The team featured future Hall of Famers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and Byron Scott, and they were coached by Pat Riley. Magic’s ability to orchestrate the offense and push the pace made the Lakers one of the most exciting and successful teams of the decade. They made nine NBA Finals appearances in Magic’s 13 seasons. Rivalry with Larry Bird: Magic Johnson’s rivalry with Larry Bird was one of the most iconic and important in basketball history. The two players, who first met in the 1979 NCAA Championship game, continued their rivalry in the NBA as the leaders of the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, respectively. Their teams met in the NBA Finals three times (1984, 1985, and 1987), with Magic’s Lakers winning two of those series. The Magic-Bird rivalry helped elevate the NBA’s popularity in the 1980s and laid the foundation for the league’s global growth. HIV Announcement and Retirement (1991): In November 1991, Magic Johnson stunned the world when he announced that he had tested positive for HIV and would retire immediately from basketball. At the time, there was little understanding of the virus, and many feared for Magic’s health. However, Magic became a prominent advocate for HIV awareness and fought against the stigma surrounding the disease. •1992 All-Star Game: Despite retiring, Magic was voted into the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, where he delivered a memorable performance, winning All-Star MVP honors. His appearance and success in the game helped change perceptions of people living with HIV. •1992 Dream Team: Magic was a member of the famous 1992 United States Olympic “Dream Team” that won the gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics. The team, featuring legends like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley, dominated the competition and is widely regarded as the greatest basketball team ever assembled. Brief Comeback (1996): Magic briefly returned to the NBA in 1996 at the age of 36, playing 32 games for the Lakers in a limited role. Although he was no longer the same player, his leadership and basketball IQ were still on display. Post-Basketball Career: Magic has had an incredibly successful post-basketball career, transitioning into a highly successful entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist. •Business Ventures: Magic Johnson became a prominent businessman after his playing days, launching Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has been involved in real estate, movie theaters, restaurants, and other ventures. He became a part-owner of several professional sports teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Sparks. •HIV Advocacy: Magic has remained a vocal advocate for HIV awareness and research, using his platform to educate people about the disease and promote healthy living. Legacy: Magic Johnson’s legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time is unquestioned. He is often considered the greatest point guard in NBA history due to his combination of size, skill, leadership, and championship success. His rivalry with Larry Bird, his leadership of the Showtime Lakers, and his work in raising awareness for HIV make him one of the most influential figures in the history of sports. •Career Stats: •Points: 17,707 (19.5 points per game) •Assists: 10,141 (11.2 assists per game) •Rebounds: 6,559 (7.2 rebounds per game) •Hall of Fame: Magic Johnson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. •NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams: Magic was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team in 1996 and the 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, cementing his place as one of the greatest players in the league’s history. Summary of Key Achievements: •5x NBA Champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) •3x NBA MVP (1987, 1989, 1990) •3x NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987) •12x NBA All-Star •Hall of Fame Inductee (2002) Magic Johnson’s ability to elevate his teammates and dominate games with his passing and leadership is a major reason why he is remembered as one of the NBA’s all-time greats.

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Location: Olathe, Kansas

End Time: 2024-12-18T21:10:45.000Z

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