Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959 in Lansing, Michigan) is an American retired NBA basketball player. He won the NBA Championship in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 all with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played college basketball at Michigan State University where he developed a rivalry and friendship with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird when he faced him in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship games. Although Johnson was a versatile player who played all five positions occasionally, he is considered by many to be the greatest point guard, passer and playmaker in the history of the game.
In 1991, Johnson made public that he had been diagnosed with HIV.[1] He is a supporter of AIDS prevention.
In 1992, Johnson was a member of the United States men's national basketball team. That team won an Olympic gold medal.[2]
He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002[3] and was also named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
On February 21, 2017, Johnson replaced Jim Buss as the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers.[4] On April 9, 2019, Johnson resigned from his role as president of basketball operations of the Lakers wishing to return to his role of NBA ambassador.[5][6][7]
Magic Johnson Media
Johnson with Lakers' head coach Pat Riley (left)
Johnson's number 32 jersey was retired by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1992.
Johnson giving a speech at the George R. Brown Convention Center in 2013
In 2003, Johnson met with Nancy Pelosi to discuss federal assistance for those with AIDS.
References
- ↑ Magic Johnson 20 years later
- ↑ "The Original Dream Team". NBA.com.
- ↑ "Earvin "Magic" Johnson". Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
- ↑ Ganguli, Tania (February 21, 2017). "Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, exec Jim Buss relieved of duties as Magic Johnson takes over basketball operations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ↑ "Magic Johnson steps down as Lakers' president of basketball operations". NBA.com. April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ↑ Beacham, Greg (April 9, 2019). "Magic Johnson abruptly resigns as Lakers' president". AP News. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ↑ "Magic Johnson: Los Angeles Lakers legend resigns". BBC.co.uk. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
Other websites
Media related to Magic Johnson at Wikimedia Commons