Magic Johnson Articles - Page 19

Earvin “Magic” Johnson helped popularize (and save) the NBA in the ’80s, won three MVPs and five championships for the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers, and became one of the most celebrated figures in hoops history. And while his impact enabled generations of ballers to earn millions (his greatest assist), how much did he earn as […]

Magic Johnson’s short tenure as the Los Angeles Lakers’ President of Basketball Operations was a bit of a roller coaster and ended fairly unceremoniously. Johnson, who was hired in February of 2017, made several trades during his time in the front office. While Johnson’s tenure didn’t lead to much success for the Lakers, the transactions […]

The conversation for the best point guards in NBA history is not one to be taken lightly, as many greats have walked the hardwood, making waves in the record books. To better analyze the top five point guards in NBA history, a list of their achievements, accolades, and unique contributions to the game is attached […]

Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan shocked the world when he retired from the NBA after winning his third straight title in 1993. However, it could have happened in 1992 if it wasn’t for Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. In the latest installment of the thrilling The Last Dance docu-series, it was revealed that Jordan told […]

Episodes 5 and 6 of ESPN’s Chicago Bulls documentary “The Last Dance” showcased some of the competitiveness of various members of the Dream Team. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, in particular, engaged in a back-and-forth war of words, with both NBA stars attempting to lead their team to victories and gain a mental edge. In […]

Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has shared his two cents worth on the Michael Jordan-Kobe Bryant comparisons. According to the Los Angeles Lakers legend, it is clear that in his mind, Bryant is the closest thing we’ve seen to Jordan. Johnson recently appeared on ESPN’s First Take and explained why he believes this to be […]

The trash-talking stories between Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird (as well as Christian Laettner) on the 1992 Dream Team are legendary in NBA lore. Fans saw a glimpse of it during the recent installment of the “The Last Dance” that featured footage of the heated Monte Carlo scrimmage. On Tuesday, MJ-confidant Ahmad Rashad […]

Twenty-eight years have passed, yet there remains to be no clear explanation as to why NBA great Isiah Thomas was infamously excluded from the USA Men’s National Basketball Team that won gold in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. For many years, pundits believed it was Michael Jordan’s call to leave out the leader of the […]

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently went public with his incessant desire to carry on with the current season amidst reports claiming that certain NBA executives and agents are pushing to have the campaign cancelled altogether. Lakers legend and former team president Magic Johnson weighed in on the matter. According to the Hall of […]

Sunday’s episodes of “The Last Dance” delved into Michael Jordan’s stint with Team USA in 1992, or more fondly known as the “Dream Team.” This was arguably the greatest basketball team ever assembled. They were so good that even scrimmage sessions turned out to be quite a treat. Los Angeles Lakers legend and fellow Dream […]

While previous episodes of “The Last Dance” explored Michael Jordan’s hatred for former Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas, Episode 5 showed that MJ wasn’t the only star to dislike Thomas and the Bad Boys Pistons. Thomas was infamously not selected to play in the 1992 Men’s U.S. Olympic Basketball Team (a.k.a The Dream Team) […]

Los Angeles Lakers legend and Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson is encouraging fans of the Purple and Gold to tune in to tonight’s episode of ESPN’s Chicago Bulls docu-series, “The Last Dance.” The episode will heavily feature the late Kobe Bryant, and Johnson said Kobe’s cameos and interviews will “mean a lot” to […]

Back in Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals, Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan famously silenced anybody who thought Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Clyde Drexler was his equal. Jordan improbably drained six threes in the first half—still tied for a Finals record—and followed the final triple up with an iconic glance and shrug towards […]

Episode 5 of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” will include a segment on the 1998 NBA All Star Game featuring a young Kobe Bryant memorably dueling with his idol, Michael Jordan. According to Magic Johnson, that famous matchup at Madison Square Garden began a profound relationship between the two, which Jordan movingly discussed in his eulogy […]

The date was November 7, 1991. It was seemingly just like any other in basketball circles. The NBA regular season had just started, with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls looking to defend their championship. It is a day in history when people too young to remember will inevitably ask their elders why Magic Johnson […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are among the most historic franchises in the NBA. Since being established in 1947 — then the Minneapolis Lakers — the organization has 16 championships to its name, second only to the Boston Celtics’ record of 17 titles. Lakers championship runs are so common, they’re nearly no big deal. Nevertheless, there’s […]

Magic Johnson was one of many NBA legends interviewed for “The Last Dance,” the 10-part ESPN Films docu-series presenting a behind-the-scenes look at Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ 1997-98 season. Johnson, though, may have his own documentary coming to the small screen in the near future. Per Meredith B. Kile of Entertainment Tonight: And […]

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson is doing his bit in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. He isn’t part of the battle on the frontlines, but the Hall of Famer has opted to place the Magic Johnson experience on an auction to raise funds for the pandemic relief efforts. According to Tyler Conway of Bleacher […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most decorated teams in the NBA, and plenty of legendary players have once donned the famous Purple and Gold. Without these players, they wouldn’t have won the 16 championships they have in their trophy case. These include a slew of guys pegged as a Lakers point guard, […]

Michael Jordan had to get past the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons to get to his first NBA Finals. His Airness then had to defeat Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers to capture his first title. Jordan accomplished both feats during the 1991 playoffs. The Chicago Bulls swept Isiah Thomas and the Pistons in the […]

Apart from being the second most winningest team in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers are known as perhaps the most dignified franchise in all of sports. Playing under the bright lights of Hollywood, after all, puts every Purple and Gold player under a constant microscope. Thus, everyone tries to carry themselves in a distinguished […]

Former Lakers great Magic Johnson is on the record speaking about a failed trade that would have sent him to the New York Knicks. The story goes back all the way to 1996 when the Los Angeles Lakers point guard discussed lining up a potential trade that would have made him the face of the […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are the most glamorous franchise in the NBA. As such, L.A. has become a prime destination for free agents over the years. Karl Malone, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James are just some of the biggest names to come to the Lakers via free agency, and it is indeed understandable why players […]

When it comes to competitive sports, few others compare to the intensity of the NBA Playoffs. As such, this annual event has brought about some of the most memorable individual performances in the history of the sport. As they say, the best of them shine when the lights are the brightest. Below we take a […]

Magic Johnson believes that the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal-led Los Angeles Lakers of the early 2000s would beat the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls of the 90s in a seven-game series. After O’Neal came out this week with the declaration, Johnson concurred. On the ‘Lunchtime with Roggin and Rodney podcast by LA AM570 radio, the […]

Joining the plea of millions of basketball fans across the world, NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson remains optimistic that the NBA will still crown a champion this season. The 2019-20 campaign has been put on hold following the growing pandemic brought upon by the coronavirus crisis. The 60- year-old Los Angeles Lakers legend shared […]

Being one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers have had their fair share of great teams over the years. The Lakers have won 16 NBA titles in their illustrious history, all of which were achieved by some of the most formidable lineups basketball has ever seen. This year’s side […]

NBA icon and Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson thinks the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame class is the premier group in the history of the hoops hall. “The 2020 Hall of Fame class is the greatest class ever to be inducted led by Kobe, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Tamika Catchings, Eddie Sutton, Rudy Tomjanovich, […]

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson says it breaks his heart to know that we won’t get to hear Kobe Bryant’s Hall of Fame speech. Kobe was named an NBA Hall of Famer on Saturday: Magic Johnson on Kobe Bryant being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame: "It breaks my heart that he won't […]

Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson called Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the Greatest of All Time in college basketball. Abdul-Jabar responded to Johnson’s praises, calling their friendship — both on and off the court — as the greatest. Via Twitter, the two basketball (and Lakers) legends had a quick exchange. Johnson detailed Abdul-Jabbar’s accomplishments in college. Back […]

Magic Johnson has watched LeBron James play for 17 years and has seen his game evolve as a student of the game. The Los Angeles Lakers legend can tell The King still has traces of his own game as well as Larry Bird’s. During Friday’s iteration of ESPN’s First Take, the dime maestro lauded James’ […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are undoubtedly one of the most successful organizations in the entire history of not only the NBA, but in basketball in general. The Purple & Gold have no less than 16 NBA titles to their name — a feat that only the Boston Celtics (17) have bettered. The Lakers have had […]

Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas was infamously left off the 1992 Dream Team despite being one of the best, if not the best, point guard in the NBA. There has been plenty of speculation that Thomas was not part of the team because Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan would participate only if Thomas was not […]

How did the Los Angeles Clippers go from one of the worst organizations to the home of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and a title contender before the suspension of the 2019-20 NBA season? It all started with a recording between former Clippers owner Donald Sterling and a mistress almost six years ago. After over 30 […]

There have been several outstanding basketball players in the collegiate ranks over the years, but Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson feels that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the greatest of all. Most fans of the game know of the accomplishments that Kareem racked up in the NBA. He’s a 19-time NBA All-Star, 10-time All-NBA First Team […]

After an incredible run for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019-20 NBA campaign, the season has been put on hold with no telling when the league may get back underway. The season could simply get canceled or resume at some point during the summer. With the Lakers now in a holding pattern with the […]

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss took a quick stroll down memory lane, and she made sure to take us all along for the ride. The 58-year-old recently came across a Los Angeles Times article about her childhood home being listed on the market, and Buss could not help but relive one of the most […]

The Atlanta Hawks managed to come away with a clutch double-overtime victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, thanks to the efforts of point guard Trae Young. In the process, the All-Star guard reached a new milestone and joined some elite company. According to Stat Muse, Young now has more games with 30 points and […]

A lot of past and present players in the NBA remember the first time they knew they were playing on the highest level of basketball. Five-time NBA champion and Los Angeles Lakers legend, Derek Fisher, is no different as he remembers exactly when he knew just how competitive it would be on the elite level. […]