Other Facts: 9. [102] Johnson performed well during the season, with averages of 19.4points, 12.5assists, and 7.0rebounds per game, and the Lakers reached the 1991 NBA Finals. When Magic Johnson heard of the proposal he told Converse ' You're crazy, I'm not shooting no commercial with Larry .' Eventually, Magic was persuaded and expected to shoot the commercial in LA. They're Midwesterners, they were bigger players who handled the ball skillfully and they thought about their teammates' success. Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, and became a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famebeing enshrined in 2002 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team". [144][145] The rivalry was also significant because it drew national attention to the faltering NBA. For the NBA center, see, Two moments of Johnson during his tour with the All-Stars to Argentina in January 1994: (left) greeting a local player; (right) hugging soccer superstar, HIV announcement and Olympics (19911992), Return to the Lakers as coach and player (1994, 1996). Ovitz encouraged him to start reading business magazines and to use every connection available to him. 10. After showing Schultz the tremendous buying power of minorities, Johnson was able to purchase 125 Starbucks stores, which reported higher than average per capita sales. [209] The Dodgers won the 2020 World Series, giving Johnson a Major League Baseball title to his credit. [125] The Lakers played well initially, winning five of their first six games under Johnson, but after losing the next five games, Johnson announced that he was resigning as coach after the season. Buss took a special interest in Johnson, introducing him to important Los Angeles business contacts and showing him how the Lakers organization was run, before eventually selling Johnson a stake in the team in 1994. [48] Johnson became the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award,[48] and his clutch performance is still regarded as one of the finest in NBA history. In Episode 7 of "Binge Sesh," hosts Matt Brennan and Kareem Maddox draw inspiration from Nike cofounder Phil Knight's pursuit of Magic Johnson in "Winning Time.". "[119], During his retirement, Johnson has written a book on safe sex, run several businesses, worked for NBC as a commentator, and toured Asia, Australia and New Zealand with a basketball team of former college and NBA players. He wondered why so many athletes had failed at business, and sought advice. Johnson learned everything he could about business, often meeting with corporate executives during road trips. [179] In 1998, Johnson hosted a late night talk show on the Fox network called The Magic Hour, but the show was canceled after two months because of low ratings. Anna Faris, Gatorade TV Spot, 'Make Your Rival Your Fuel' Featuring J.J. Watt, Honda CR-V Super Bowl 2017 TV Spot, 'Yearbooks' Ft. Steve Carell, Tina Fey [T1], Google Pixel 6 TV Spot, 'Anthem: NBA' Ft. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Magic Johnson, NBA League Pass TV Spot, 'Classic Games: Free Preview', NBA TV Spot, 'Welcome to NBA Lane' Feat. [193][194] He has also made investments in urban real estate through the Canyon-Johnson and Yucaipa-Johnson funds. Published March 15, 2021 Advertiser ISBN0-449-22254-3. Still a commanding presence in popular culture, Johnson made history in 2012 when he became co-owner of MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers. [211] Johnson and Guber sold their stake in the Dragons in 2014. He won 3 MVP Awards, appeared in 9 NBA Finals, was All-Star 12 times, and led the Lakers to the championship four times during the 1980s. [20], Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan, to General Motors assembly worker Earvin Sr. and school janitor Christine. [111] Johnson led the West to a 153113win and was crowned All-Star MVP after recording 25points, 9assists, and 5rebounds. Although Johnson denied responsibility for Westhead's firing,[66] he was booed across the league, even by Laker fans. [28] His career 138triple-double games places him third all-time behind Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. [226][227], To prevent his HIV infection from progressing to AIDS, Johnson takes a daily combination of drugs, also called a drug cocktail. "We think there is a lot of fun to be had with the Barkleylounger," he says. [222] He endorsed and appeared in campaign ads for unsuccessful Los Angeles mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel in 2013. Johnson sold his remaining interest in the stores back to the company in 2010, ending a successful twelve-year partnership. [28] Johnson came from an athletic family. [155] Johnson is the only player in NBA Finals history to have triple-doubles in multiple series-clinching games. 5, Magic Johnson combined dazzling playmaking with charisma to lead the Showtime Lakers to five titles", "Magic Johnson vs. Stephen Curry: Does Warriors star have stats case to surpass Lakers legend as GOAT point guard? Personal Birth date: August 14, 1959 Birth place: Lansing, Michigan Birth name: Earvin. [25], Johnson came to love basketball as a young man. He's faced challenges all of his life, but now Magic Johnson faces the biggest challenge of all, his own brave battle with HIV. From creating job opportunities within communities, to reshaping the corporate understanding of urban areas, our work raises awareness, enhances social value and increases the economic strength of those we serve. Then in 1985, Converse asked Johnson and Bird to tape a shoe commercial in French Lick, Ind., Bird's hometown. After leaving the NBA in 1991, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that traveled around the world playing exhibition games.[10]. The talent already on Michigan State's roster also drew him to the program. LOS ANGELES, CA Magic Johnson and health insurance giant Cigna have teamed up to fight health disparities in POC communities within Los Angeles. In 1991, . [188][189] In 2004, Johnson and his partner Ken Lombard sold Magic Johnson Theaters to Loews Cineplex Entertainment. [230] He has advertised GlaxoSmithKline's drugs,[231] and partnered with Abbott Laboratories to publicize the fight against AIDS in African American communities.[230]. [113], Johnson was chosen to compete in the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics for the U.S. national team, dubbed the "Dream Team" because of the NBA stars on the roster. It'll focus on his legendary years with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Eighties as a five-time NBA champion in a . Magic was the fourth of seven children Earvin Sr. and Christine had together. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. As. From his humble beginnings to his league debut as the Los. Random House. [75] Friends Isiah Thomas and Mark Aguirre consoled him that night, talking until the morning in his Boston hotel room amidst fan celebrations on the street. He shares his latest ventureMagic Johnson Development Corporationwhich develops commercial property in neglected urban and suburban neighborhoods. [79], In the 198485 regular season, Johnson averaged 18.3points, 12.6assists, and 6.2rebounds per game, and led the Lakers into the 1985 NBA Finals, where they faced the Celtics again. [183] He has also worked as a motivational speaker,[15] and was an NBA commentator for Turner Network Television for seven years,[184] before becoming a studio analyst for ESPN's NBA Countdown in 2008. [98], Playing without Abdul-Jabbar for the first time, Johnson won his third MVP award[99] after a strong 198990 NBA season in which he averaged 22.3points, 11.5assists, and 6.6rebounds per game. [94] Despite not being named MVP, Johnson had a strong championship series, averaging 21.1points on .550shooting, 13.0assists, and 5.7rebounds per game. [125][176] After Johnson ended his coaching stint, Buss sold him a 4% stake in the Lakers for $10 million, and Johnson served as a team executive. Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan are two of the greatest players of all time. Johnson's autobiography is Johnson, Earvin (1992). [39], Johnson did not initially aspire to play professionally, focusing instead on his communication studies major and his desire to become a television commentator. The NBA-centered drama series follows the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. [19][218], Johnson is a supporter of the Democratic Party. Johnson recently revealed plans for a documentary on his life to be released. "[134] Johnson was himself suspended five days later, when he bumped referee Scott Foster, missing three games. Well, the 2010 NBA Finals are here, and it's time to treat you to a 1986 commercial for Converse shoes featuring two of the NBA's greats of the decade: Larry. 8. "In the. [62], In 1981, after the 198081 season, Johnson signed a 25-year, $25million contract with the Lakers (equivalent to $75,000,000 in 2021), which was the highest-paying contract in sports history up to that point. He also has a son, Andre Johnson, from a previous relationship. They Call Me Magic will give fans "a rare glimpse into . After making a bunny appear out of Samuel L. Jackson's cap, he begins sawing Jim Nantz in half for his final signoff, as Barkley, Jackson and Spike Lee look on in laughter. [164] Under Johnson, the Lakers sought to acquire multiple star players and cleared existing players, including future All-Star D'Angelo Russell, off of their roster in an attempt to free up room under the league's salary cap. At the age of 42, Johnson played with the All-Stars against his alma mater, Michigan State. Johnson's half-court shot at the buzzer would have won the game, but it fell short. [221] In 2012, he endorsed Barack Obama for president. The book detailed their on-court rivalry and friendship with one another. [3][55][56] He also became one of four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in consecutive years. The first Magic Johnson Theater located in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, closed in 2010 and re-opened in 2011 as Rave Cinema 15. [13][169] The couple adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995. Here's a look at the life of entrepreneur, philanthropist and NBA Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson. [186] In addition to these business ventures, Johnson has also created the Magic Card, a pre-paid MasterCard aimed at helping low-income people save money and participate in electronic commerce. The former athlete,. The Lakers played poorly in a Game 1 loss, prompting Johnson to express frustration with his role in coach Del Harris' offense. It took a 1987 commercial shoot in French Lick, Indiana, to bridge that gap. [33] Johnson dedicated the championship victory to his best friend Reggie Chastine, who was killed in a car accident the previous summer. Magic Johnson literally pops up, or a longform musical number with Gladys Knight," she says. [10] [140], In 1999, Johnson joined the Swedish squad M7 Bors (now known as 'Bors Basket'), and was undefeated in five games with the team. [229], HIV had been associated with intravenous drug users and homosexuals,[226] but Johnson's campaigns sought to show that the risk of infection was not limited to those groups. The 29-year-old reality TV personality came out to the basketball great, 62, in 2010, and at first, the latter wasn't too. Other biographies include: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [133] Nick Van Exel received a seven-game suspension for bumping referee Ron Garretson during a game on April 9. [227] Johnson was later criticized by the AIDS community for his decreased involvement in publicizing the spread of the disease. In the past 30 days, commercials featuring Magic Johnson have had 27,434 airings. [191], Johnson began thinking of life after basketball while still playing with the Lakers. [40], Before the 199293 NBA season, Johnson announced his intention to stage an NBA comeback. About Starbucks Corporation [57], Early in the 198081 season, Johnson was sidelined after he suffered torn cartilage in his left knee. [106], After a physical before the 199192 NBA season, Johnson discovered that he had tested positive for HIV. He is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all-time. [28] Buss was also unhappy with the Lakers' offense and had intended on firing Westhead days before the WestheadJohnson altercation, but assistant GM Jerry West and GM Bill Sharman had convinced Buss to delay his decision. . [37], Although Johnson was recruited by several top-ranked colleges such as Indiana and UCLA, he decided to play close to home. The rising reality star is the son of NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson. [36] Johnson, who finished his high school career with two All-State selections, was considered at the time to be the best high school player ever to come out of Michigan[34] and was also named to the 1977 McDonald's All-American team.

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