Watch The Rise of Magic Johnson in HBO's New - E! Online Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson has seen a different D'Angelo Russell from the one who started his career in purple and gold. [33] In an August 2011 interview, Johnson said that in retrospect he wished that he had never retired after being diagnosed with HIV, saying, "If I knew what I know now, I wouldn't have retired. He also has a son, Andre Johnson, from a previous relationship. Magic Johnson opens up on living with HIV 30 years after his diagnosis Michael B. Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Fanatics.com TV Spot, 'All-In Challenge' Featuring Kevin Hart, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, Samsung Galaxy Note II TV Spot, 'Big Day' Featuring LeBron James, NBA TV Spot, 'This Is Why We Play: Anthem', AT&T Wireless TV Spot, 'The Codes We Live By' Feat. With help from the HBO . [74] Johnson averaged another double-double season, with 17.6points, 13.1assists, and 7.3rebounds per game. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). [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. What Is Magic Johnson's Net Worth? He is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all-time. The book detailed their on-court rivalry and friendship with one another. [157] The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2002. The retired point guard welcomed his first child, son Andre, 42, with ex-girlfriend. Magic Johnson Fast Facts | CNN Johnson asserted that for him, the 82-game regular season was composed of 80 normal games, and two LakersCeltics games. 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. [59] The 54-win Lakers faced the 4042 Houston Rockets in the first round of playoffs,[60][61] where Houston upset the Lakers 21 after Johnson airballed a last-second shot in Game 3. Magic Johnson 's 20-year-old son hit the Sunset Strip, hand in hand with his boyfriend . [76][77] During the Finals, Johnson averaged 18.0points on .560shooting, 13.6assists, and 7.7rebounds per game. [23][31] Johnson's sister Pearl and his brother Larry had bused to Everett the previous year and did not have a pleasant experience. 'Winning Time' HBO: Magic Johnson, Nike and Phil - Los Angeles Times [188][189] In 2004, Johnson and his partner Ken Lombard sold Magic Johnson Theaters to Loews Cineplex Entertainment. Speaking to media just hours after Buss had died, Johnson was emotional, saying, "Without Dr. Jerry Buss, there is no Magic. Starbucks Acquires Remaining Interest in Magic Johnson Enterprises Magic Johnson Net Worth 2022, Salary & Endorsements - Sportskeeda He is known to have owned 105 Starbucks outlets and a 4.5% stake in . There they faced the Chicago Bulls, led by shooting guard Michael Jordan, a five-time scoring champion regarded as the finest player of his era. Then one of our guys catches the ball and scores, and I run back up the floor convinced that he must've thrown it through somebody. Magic Johnson Discusses his Apple TV+ Docuseries 'They Call - Variety [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. [128] Despite these difficulties, the Lakers finished with a record of 5329 and fourth seed in the NBA Playoffs. Although they were facing the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets, the Lakers had home court advantage in the five-game series. Luka Doncic Smashes Magic Johnson Record in Mavericks Win. [112] The game ended after he made a last-minute three-pointer, and players from both teams ran onto the court to congratulate Johnson. Through investment, partnership and consultation, Magic Johnson Enterprises has a portfolio of companies that strategically work together to reinforce the organization's focus on serving emerging, multicultural communities. [125][127] Johnson, who still had a guaranteed player contract that would pay him $14.6 million during the 199495 NBA season, signed a separate contract to coach the team that had no compensation. From Magic Johnson Theaters and Starbucks to Simply Healthcare and The Dodgers, MJE is a measurable success factor in achieving significant return on investment. 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. [153] He is the only player to average 12 assists in an NBA Finals series, achieving it six times. Apple TV+ today announced "They Call Me Magic," the highly anticipated four-part documentary event that takes an illuminating, holistic look into the life and career of one of the world's most iconic figures, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, will premiere April 22 on Apple TV+. In 1994, Johnson joined with former pros Mark Aguirre, Reggie Theus, John Long, Earl Cureton, Jim Farmer, and Lester Conner, as his team played games in Australia, Israel, South America, Europe, New Zealand, and Japan. His mother spent many hours after work each night cleaning their home and preparing the next day's meals, while his father did janitorial work at a used car lot and collected garbage, all while never missing a day at General Motors. EXCLUSIVE: Magic Johnson Partners With CBD and Hemp Brand - Yahoo! Johnson's career achievements include three NBA MVP Awards, three NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Awards, nine NBA Finals appearances, 12 All-Star games, and nine All-NBA First Team selections. Larry Bird and the Rise and Fall of Converse - Basketball Noise and his parents couldn't be happier for their kid. In December 2018, Magic Johnson's daughter, Elisa Johnson, and nine of her friends had a terrifying encounter when two armed men broke into a Californian Airbnb house they were staying in. MAGIC JOHNSON COMMERCIAL POSTER The Magic Show LAKERS 22x24 Inch Our company We Build Businesses Although Andre was raised by his mother, he visited Johnson each summer, and later worked for Magic Johnson Enterprises as a marketing director. Magic Johnson Enterprises serves as a catalyst for fostering community and economic empowerment by providing access to high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of multicultural communities. During his retirement, Johnson began intense workouts to help his fight against HIV, raising his bench press from 135 to 300 pounds, and increasing his weight to 255 pounds. The 1986 commercial shows Magic rolling up in a limo and Larry was waiting in knee-high socks, short shorts, and new . Johnson's autobiography is Johnson, Earvin (1992). Magic Johnson Enterprises serves as a catalyst for fostering community and economic empowerment by providing access to high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of multicultural communities. [28] In 1985, Johnson created "A Midsummer Night's Magic", a yearly charity event which included a celebrity basketball game and a black tie dinner. Combining his playing career and sports ownership career, Johnson has 10 NBA championships, five each as a player and later as a minority owner of the Lakers. Magic Johnson Investments He has had partnerships previously with Starbucks, 24-Hour Fitness, T.G.I Fridays, and AMC Theatres. [25], Johnson came to love basketball as a young man. His favorite basketball player was Bill Russell, whom he admired more for his many championships than his athletic ability. Larry Bird - Wikipedia [11] His friendship and rivalry with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird, whom he faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship series, are well documented. Despite two triple-doubles from Johnson during the series, Finals MVP Jordan led his team to a 41win. "I think D'Angelo has really grown and matured," Johnson said . [47] Despite Abdul-Jabbar's dominance, he had failed to win a championship with the Lakers, and Johnson was expected to help them achieve that goal. The superstars' fiery relationship cooled after filming a 1985 Converse commercial filmed in French Lick, Ind., Bird's hometown. Magic Johnson And Cigna Team Up To Improve Minority Healthcare Magic Johnson reveals his son EJ's coming out - New York Post Magic Johnson: D'Angelo Russell Has 'Really Grown and Matured' Since The Power of Magic They're Midwesterners, they were bigger players who handled the ball skillfully and they thought about their teammates' success. 4/2/2013 8:45 AM PT. [44] He also joined Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as the only NBA players to tally at least 700points, 700rebounds, and 700assists in the same season. Real-Time Video Ad Creative Assessment While Charles Barkley, Samuel L. Jackson and Magic Johnson ready themselves for the Final Four of March Madness, Barkley shares that he got four percent cash back on his tickets via the Capital One Savor card. Although Johnson denied responsibility for Westhead's firing,[66] he was booed across the league, even by Laker fans. Magic Johnson: AIDS is still prevalent video 1991: Magic Johnson's HIV announcement On a recent March night in Los Angeles, Johnson again hugged Hydeia, his 6-foot-9 frame dwarfing her. You can connect with Magic Johnson on Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. [176] Calling Buss his "second father" and "one of [his] best friends", Johnson spent five hours visiting Buss at the hospital just a few months before his death from cancer. Earvin "Magic" Johnson is sharing his story in the upcoming four-part docuseries They Call Me Magic, which will stream on Apple TV+ April 22. He also missed several games due to a calf injury. However, after Johnson went down with a hamstring injury in Game 2, the Lakers were no match for the Pistons, who swept them 40. [141][142] Johnson also became a co-owner of the club;[143] however, the project failed after one season and the club was forced into reconstruction. "[108], Despite his retirement, Johnson was voted by fans as a starter for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game at Orlando Arena, although his former teammates Byron Scott and A. C. Green said that Johnson should not play,[110] and several NBA players, including Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone, argued that they would be at risk of contamination if Johnson suffered an open wound while on court. [155] Johnson is the only player in NBA Finals history to have triple-doubles in multiple series-clinching games. [230] He has advertised GlaxoSmithKline's drugs,[231] and partnered with Abbott Laboratories to publicize the fight against AIDS in African American communities.[230]. [128] A few days later, Johnson changed his mind and retired permanently, saying, "I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992. [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. Magic Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know - people.com According to the Basketball Network, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird came together in 1986 to film a commercial for Converse. [203], In the wake of the Donald Sterling controversy, limited media reports indicated that Johnson had expressed an interest in purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers franchise. He's faced challenges all of his life, but now Magic Johnson faces the biggest challenge of all, his own brave battle with HIV. "I've . [16] He stated that his wife Cookie and their unborn child did not have HIV, and that he would dedicate his life to "battle this deadly disease". "Even in the summer, you had your . Magic Johnson 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.". [154] He holds the All-Star Game single-game record for assists (22), and the All-Star Game record for career assists (127). [120] The 1992 event, which was the first one held after Johnson's appearance in the 1992 Olympics, raised over $1.3 million for UNCF. NBA Legend Magic Johnson Discusses Ecolab Science Certified Partnership with Forbes Johnson underscores how the Ecolab Science Certified program is helping businesses advance cleaner, safer practices and people reclaim their social lives September 29, 2021 Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson: How Their Bitter Rivalry Turned Into A Magic Johnson, Paul George Song by Dreamville, Old Navy This Way Onward TV Spot, 'Introduction' Featuring Magic Johnson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention TV Spot, 'COVID-19: NBA: Together', Google Pixel 6 TV Spot, 'Anthem: NBA Playoffs' Ft. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Magic Johnson, Capital One TV Spot, 'Final Four' Feat. [28] In his final high school season, Johnson led Everett to a 271 winloss record while averaging 28.8points and16.8 rebounds per game,[28] and took his team to an overtime victory in the state championship game. The game was played at a gym inside Fort McNair, and reporters covering the president were not allowed to enter. This is the untold truth of Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. . Larry Bird and Magic Johnson spent years competing against each other and being compared to each other. [96], In the 198889 NBA season, Johnson's 22.5points, 12.8assists, and 7.9rebounds per game[44] earned him his second MVP award,[97] and the Lakers reached the 1989 NBA Finals, in which they again faced the Pistons. [84] In the next season, Johnson averaged a career-high of 23.9points, as well as 12.2assists and 6.3rebounds per game,[44] and earned his first regular season MVP award. [206], In January 2012, Johnson joined with Guggenheim Partners and Stan Kasten in a bid for ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. [16] Named by Ebony magazine as one of America's most influential black businessmen in 2009,[17] Johnson has numerous business interests, and was a part-owner of the Lakers for several years, as well as being the team's president of basketball operations from 2017 to 2019. The year was 2010, and scarves were in. $620 MILLION From his salary as a basketball player to endorsements and on-camera opportunities to his many, many businesses and investments, Johnson has. The girl who changed Magic Johnson | CNN Johnson learned everything he could about business, often meeting with corporate executives during road trips. [224] He hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on August 22, 2016. [87] The game-winning shot, which Johnson dubbed his "junior, junior, junior sky-hook",[87] helped Los Angeles defeat Boston in six games. [77][109], Johnson's HIV announcement became a major news story in the United States,[108] and in 2004 was named as ESPN's seventh-most memorable moment of the previous 25 years. [44] Jud Heathcote stepped down as coach of the Spartans after the 199495 season, and on June 8, 1995, Johnson returned to the Breslin Center to play in the Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Game. [209] The Dodgers won the 2020 World Series, giving Johnson a Major League Baseball title to his credit. [187] In 2006, Johnson created a contract food service with Sodexo USA called Sodexo-Magic. [23], Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" as a 15-year-old sophomore playing for Everett High School, when he recorded a triple-double of 36points, 18rebounds, and 16assists. Magic Johnson: My Life by Earvin "Magic" Johnson | Goodreads 17 in their "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century"[159] In 2006, ESPN.com rated Johnson the greatest point guard of all time, stating, "It could be argued that he's the one player in NBA history who was better than Michael Jordan. Earvin Johnson III . Ovitz encouraged him to start reading business magazines and to use every connection available to him. Earvin "Magic" Johnson is the only NBA rookie to date to receive the Finals MVP Award. [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. In 1992, Buss had given Johnson a contract that paid him $14 million a year, as payback for all the years he was not the league's highest-paid player. 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? Magic Johnson [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. The 29-year-old reality TV personality came out to the basketball great, 62, in 2010, and at first, the latter wasn't too. [214] Johnson announced his co-ownership of a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise based in Los Angeles on October 30, 2014. [13] In 1991, Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in a small wedding in Lansing which included guests Thomas, Aguirre, and Herb Williams. [92] Johnson later accused Isiah Thomas of spreading the rumors, a claim Thomas denied. Let's leave it at that. [165][166][167], Johnson first fathered a son in 1981, when Andre Johnson was born to Melissa Mitchell. "In the. He led the league in regular season assists four times, and is the NBA's all-time leader in average assists per game in both the regular season (11.19 assists per game) and the playoffs (12.35 assists per game). The Pixel 6 offers the capability to eliminate photobomb fans quickly with the touch of a finger -- even Magic Johnson thinks it's absolute magic. Johnson has become a leading voice on how to invest in urban communities, creating redevelopment opportunities in underserved areas, most notably through his movie theaters and his partnership with Starbucks. He missed 45games,[44] and said that his rehabilitation was the "most down" he had ever felt. [3][55][56] He also became one of four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in consecutive years. [4] Several of his achievements in individual games have also been named among the top moments in the NBA. The Lakers took a 32lead in the series, but Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33points a game in the series,[53] sprained his ankle in Game 5 and could not play in Game 6. His father played high school basketball in his home state of Mississippi,[29]and Johnson learned the finer points about the game from him. Visit California TV Spot, 'Living the Dream' Feat. [75] In Game 3, Johnson responded with 21assists in a 137104 win, but he made several crucial errors late in the contest during Game 4. But being bused to Everett turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. The Slovenian notched up a 30th career triple-double in his 146th game in the NBA, reaching the milestone in 44 fewer games than Magic . "I always said Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are the two most important people in NBA history," Barkley said. In the decisive Game 7 in Boston, as the Lakers trailed by three points in the final minute, opposing point guard Dennis Johnson stole the ball from Johnson, a play that effectively ended the series. "[28][33] Johnson could dominate a game without scoring, running the offense and distributing the ball with flair. "[134] Johnson was himself suspended five days later, when he bumped referee Scott Foster, missing three games. [56][160][161] At the 2019 NBA Awards, Johnson received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Bird). "Earvin Johnson" redirects here. They also toured the United States, playing five games against teams from the CBA. [101] Under Dunleavy, the offense used more half-court sets, and the team had a renewed emphasis on defense. [71], During the 198283 NBA season, Johnson's first of nine consecutive double-double seasons, he averaged 16.8points, 10.5assists, and 8.6rebounds per game, and earned his first All-NBA First Team nomination. [63][64] Early in the 198182 season, Johnson had a heated dispute with Westhead, who Johnson said made the Lakers "slow" and "predictable". [26] He also idolized players such as Earl Monroe and Marques Haynes,[27] and practiced "all day". He nearly got into a fight with another player before head coach George Fox intervened. Although Johnson's retirement prior to the 199293 NBA season voided this contract, Buss insisted that he still be paid. . [28] Johnson came from an athletic family. [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. [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. By using iSpot.tv, you accept our, Visit California TV Spot, 'Living the Dream' Feat. "[36] Johnson and Chastine were almost always together, playing basketball or riding around in Chastine's car. It took a 1987 commercial shoot in French Lick, Indiana, to bridge that gap. [137] By the time he returned to the Lakers in 1996, the Magic Johnson All-Stars had amassed a record of 550, and Johnson was earning as much as $365,000 per game. "We had. [83], Johnson again averaged a double-double in the 198586 NBA season, with 18.8points, 12.6assists, and 5.9rebounds per game. Johnson was apprehensive at first because he and Bird never had a serious conversation at that point, and while he agreed to do the commercial, the two superstars didn't talk to each other during the actual shoot (via NPR ). Agency SVP, group creative director Ryan Carroll believes one campaign concept could have some legs IRL. [100] Mike Dunleavy became the Lakers' head coach in 199091, when Johnson had grown to be the league's third-oldest point guard.