Personal Information
Debut | 308534400 |
Nickname | Magic Johnson |
Spouse | Cookie Johnson |
Magic Johnson: A Brief Biography
Magic Johnson is a Former American professional basketball player who used to play as a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He is frequently compared with Stephen Curry and is widely regarded as the best point guard of all time. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the first overall choice in the 1979 NBA Draft and had played 13 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers in total. He has lifted 5 NBA championships with the Lakers.
Early life
Johnson earned the nickname "Magic" for the first time as a sophomore at Everett High School at the age of 15, when he scored a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists. Johnson guided Everett to a 27-1 win-loss record during his senior year of high school while averaging 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds each game. He also led his team to an overtime victory in the state championship game. He dedicated this championship to his best friend Reggie Chastine who had a very large role in Johnson's basketball career and as a person too. Johnson concluded his high school career with two All-State honors and was regarded at the time as the best high school player to ever come out of Michigan.
During his college career, he decided to play for Michigan state as it was near his house. Johnson led the Spartans to a 25-5 record as a freshman, averaging 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. And helped to reach many more titles like the Big Ten Conference title, and a berth in the 1978 NCAA tournament. During the NCAA tournament of the 1978-79 season, he faced Larry’s Indiana state where Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75-64 and Johnson won the award for Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. After this brilliant performance, he got selected for the 1978-79 All-American team and made his draft to the NBA in 1979.
Magic johnson Education -
When he was 15 years old, Jhonson went to Everett High School, and as a Sophomore, he recorded a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists. During his senior year of high school, he played with a game average of 16.8 rebounds and 28.8 points. He also helped his group win the state title game in overtime. He chose to play at Michigan State during his college time Averaging 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game as a rookie. He led his team to reach the NCAA tournament and was awarded the MVP. Thus, he made the NBA draft in 1979.
NBA Journey
The Lakers were led by Johnson and the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the 1980 NBA Finals, where they faced the Philadelphia 76ers. Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33 points per game throughout the series and helped his team take a 3-2 lead, hurt his ankle in Game 5 and was unable to participate in Game 6. Magic recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a 123-107 victory over the Sixers in Philadelphia during Game 6 while filling in for Jabbar at the center position to win his first title. One of the best performances in NBA history is thought to have been his. Magic was chosen as Finals MVP, making him the only rookie to ever accomplish it in NBA history.
Johnson joined Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as the only NBA players to score at least 700 points, 700 rebounds, and 700 assists in the same season in 1982–1983 with an average of 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and a league-high 2.7 steals per game. Johnson scored 700 points, 700 rebounds, and 700 assists in the 1982–1983 season and became the only player to do so. The Lakers met the Sixers for the second time in three years in the playoffs. In Game 6, Johnson notched a triple-double. Both the Finals MVP Award and his second championship were won by him.
In the 1983–84 season, the Lakers made it to the Finals for the third consecutive year, where they faced Bird's Celtics for the first time in the postseason.The Lakers lost the Finals in seven games as a result of Magic's numerous important miscues in a number of the series' games. The Lakers and Celtics rematched in the 1985 NBA Finals, with the Lakers winning in six games over the Celtics. Johnson averaged a career-high 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game in 1986–87, when he also won his first MVP honor for the regular season. Johnson's historic last-second hook jumper over Celtics big men Parish and Kevin McHale helped the Lakers defeat the Celtics in game 4 of the NBA Finals (107-106). As the Lakers defeated the Celtics in six games, Johnson won his third MVP award and his third championship.
Johnson won his second MVP title during the 1988–89 NBA season thanks to his 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game. Johnson announced his retirement from basketball in 1991 along with the news that he had contracted HIV. He won the All-Star MVP Award in 1992 when he made a comeback to the field. Following complaints from his teammates, he took a second four-year retirement. At the age of 36, Johnson made one final comeback to play 32 games with the Lakers before making his third and final retirement.
As a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, Magic also received an Olympic Gold Medal ("The Dream Team"). He is regarded as one of the top players who has ever played the game and one of the best point guards. In 1996, he was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players ever, and in 2002, he was admitted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Magic Johnson Draft -
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Johnson first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft. Johnson joined his elite teammate Kareem Abdul Jabbar. During his Rookie Year In Game 6 with the Philadelphia, Magic scored 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steal to win his first championship. His is regarded as one of the greatest performances in NBA history. Magic was selected as Finals MVP, becoming the first rookie in NBA history to do so. He also became one of four players to win the NCAA and NBA titles in back-to-back seasons.
Magic Johnson Awards and Achievements
Award/Accolade | Year | Team |
5*NBA Champion | 1980,1982,1985,1987,1988 | Los Angeles Lakers |
3*NBA finals MVP | 1980,1982,1987 | Los Angeles Lakers |
3*NBA MVP | 1987,1989,1990 | Los Angeles Lakers |
12*NBA All-star | 1980,1982-1992 | Los Angeles Lakers |
9*All NBA first team | 1983-1991 | Los Angeles Lakers |
All NBA second team | 1982 | Los Angeles Lakers |
NBA All-Rookie team | 1980 | Los Angeles Lakers |
4*NBA assists leader | 1983,1984,1986,1987 | Los Angeles Lakers |
2*NBA steals leader | 1981,1982 | Los Angeles Lakers |
NBA Lifetime achievement award | 2019 |
Magic johnson Championships -
With the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, Magic Johnson earned his championships.
1980 - The "best game of his career" was played by Johnson against the Philadelphia 76ers while he was still in his rookie season. After recording the most rebounds ever in a game with 15, scoring 42 points, and dishing out seven assists.
1982 - Magic Johnson was voted the MVP of the series after averaging 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game as the LA Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers twice.
1985 - For the first time in team history, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 4-2. Johnson helped his team avenge their 1984 Finals loss to the Larry Bird-led Celtics by averaging 14 assists, 18.3 points, and 6.8 rebounds per game.
1987 - The game four baby sky hook by Magic Johnson was the game's high point.The NBA Finals MVP trophy was given to him.
1988 - In Game 7, Magic Johnson shot 66% from the field and finished with 19 points, 14 assists, and 5 rebounds. And defeated the Detroit Pistons in a series led by 4-3.
Magic johnson Records
Holds the record for the most career assists per game (11.2) delivered.
Holds the record for the most assists in the playoffs with 2,346.
Additionally, Johnson is the only NBA player to have at least 2,000 assists in a playoff career.
Possesses the all-time best average of 12.4 assists per game in the playoffs.
Has the record for the most triple-doubles in playoff history with 30.
Johnson joined Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as the only NBA players to score at least 700 points, 700 rebounds, and 700 assists in the same season in 1982–1983 with an average of 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and a league-high 2.7 steals per game.
Magic Johnson's Net worth
The expected value of Magic Johnson's net worth is $620 million. He has a good deal of wealth via his stakes in the wildly successful MLB team LA Dodgers, and he makes a nice wage as the Lakers' President of Basketball Operations. He is also a successful businessman who has amassed millions of dollars through his ventures. In his 29 years in the NBA, he has collected a total salary of $39,342,860, including executive and contract responsibilities.
Magic Johnson Endorsements -
The 5 times NBA Champion of the Los Angeles Lakers had links with AMC Theatres, 24-Hour Fitness, T.G.I. Fridays, and Starbucks. He reportedly owned 105 Starbucks locations and a 4.5% ownership position in the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he reportedly sold both of them for $100 million. Johnson earns $22 million annually and is ranked fifth on Forbes' list of the highest-paid athletes. He is a significant shareholder in both the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks and the MLB Los Angeles Dodgers. Before selling his stocks, he spent some time as a Laker's shareholder.
Magic Johnson Family
Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan, to janitor Christine and General Motors assembly worker Earvin Sr. His mother used to do all the household chores while his father collected garbage without missing a single day at General motors. Johnson was called "Garbage Man" by neighborhood kids because he frequently assisted his father with garbage collection. Johnson first married Melissa Mitchell and in 1981 was blessed with a son named Andre Johnson who is the marketing director of the current Magic Johnson enterprises. Later on, In 1991, Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie".
Magic Johnson's Wife -
On January 20, 1959, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson was born in Alabama. She has her own business and writes. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in textiles and apparel, where she also met Magic Johnson. Before departing for the impending Christmas holiday, Johnson asked for her number when they met each other at a bar. In a modest, private ceremony in Lansing in September 1991, the couple became husband and wife. Earvin III (EJ) is their only child; a daughter was later adopted.
In 1995, Elisa wrote a debut book named "Believing in Magic".
Magic Johnson's Son -
In Beverly Hills, California, on June 4, 1992, Earvin Johnson was born to Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. They are a total of three siblings Andre, his older brother, and Elisa, his younger sister. Johnson studied hospitality at New York University. Plus, also focus on event management. At the age of 17, Johnson revealed to his family that he was gay. Moreover, his family supported him in his decision to reveal his gender publicly.
Magic Johnson House -
In addition to possessing a private plane and a residence in Beverly Hills, he also has a collection of Ferrari and BMW vehicles. A bright six-bedroom mansion built in 1981 by NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson in Moraga Estates, a gated community in the posh Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, went on the market on Tuesday with a price tag of $14.5 million. Plus, Mr. Magic Johnson Foundation, has its own charitable organization, that focuses on raising awareness of and aiding those affected by HIV/AIDS.