What did Magic Johnson say about his friendship with Michael Jordan?
Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson are two of the most iconic and greatest players in NBA history. While they weren't friends at the start of Jordan's career, the two became close in 1992 as part of the Dream Team.
Johnson appeared on a recent episode of "The Dan Patrick Show" and briefly discussed his friendship with MJ. The LA Lakers legend noted that he didn't hate Jordan the way he hated Larry Bird in the early part of his career. He considered "His Airness" one of his friends and proclaimed his love for him.
"I didn't get a chance to hate Michael because we played one time (in the NBA Finals)," Johnson said. "I think because of the relationship with Larry happened in college then it carried over to the two most storied franchises in NBA history. We played so many times, that's why we hated each other."
He added:
"Michael, I think the dislike, might have came more the Bulls and Celtics. ... I didn't have the chance to hate Michael, but we're good friends. I love MJ and what he stands for, for what he's built, not only on the court, but off the court. His business, so it's great."
Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson faced each other in the NBA Finals once in 1991. Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dominated the LA Lakers to win their first NBA championship after five games.
It was also a passing of the torch moment considering Johnson and the Lakers dominated the 1980s, alongside the Boston Celtics. The Bulls have finally arrived en route to winning six NBA championships in the 1990s.
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Michael Jordan was not fond of Magic Johnson until they teamed up in the Dream Team
Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson were not fond of each other at the start of MJ's career in 1984. There have been rumors that Johnson was one of the players, including Isiah Thomas and George Gervin, who decided to freeze out Jordan at the 1985 All-Star Game.
Jordan commented on the issue via Jackie MacMullan of The Ringer. The Chicago Bulls believed that jealousy on Johnson's part made him unlikeable despite his popular personality.
"Well, I understood it to be jealousy," Jordan said. "And you know, I think a lot of it came from, 'Magic Johnson should have been Michael Jordan before Michael Jordan.' He had the smile, he had everything. He had the marketability, he had championships."
But things changed when Jordan and Johnson were named part of the Dream Team in 1992. The duo bonded during their preparations for the Olympics and have been good friends ever since.
Also Read: When did Magic Johnson and Larry Bird become friends? LA Lakers legend says they hated each other early in their NBA careers