Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Basketball player, professional, author Born Earvin Johnson, Jr. on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan. For 12 years, Earvin "Magic" Johnson dominated the court as one of America's best basketball players. He has since then constructed up a enterprise domain, which encompasses genuine estate holdings, some Starbucks franchises, and video theaters.

From a large family, Johnson increased up with nine male siblings and sisters. Both of his parents worked—his dad for the General Motors vegetation in town and his mother for as a school custodian. He had a passion for basketball, and would start performing as early as 7:30 a.m. At Everett High School, Johnson acquired his well renowned nickname, "Magic," after a sportswriter seen him tally 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists in a lone game. (www.24hourfitness.com)

Johnson proceeded to play in school for Michigan State University. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches big, he made for an outstanding issue guard. Johnson excelled throughout his freshman year, assisting his team, the Spartans, clinch the Big Ten Conference title. The next year, he played an significant function in taking the Spartans all the way to the NCAA Finals. There they faced off contrary to the Indiana State Sycamores. In one of the most well renowned match-ups in school basketball annals, Johnson went head-to-head with Indiana's celebrity ahead, Larry Bird. The Spartans verified victorious, and the Johnson-Bird rivalry would pursue the players to their days with the NBA.

Leaving school after two years, Johnson was made a draft by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. He did well in his first season with the team, averaging 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. Johnson won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player accolade for his efforts in premier the Lakers to triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers. The team furthermore encompassed such powerful players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes, and Norm Nixon.

During his third season with the team, the Lakers made the NBA finals again. This time they were beaten by the Philadelphia 76ers, but Johnson still performed well sufficient to profit from his second NBA Finals MVP award. In the 1984 NBA finals, Johnson afresh came across competitor Larry Bird, who had marked with the Boston Celtics. This was the first of some match-ups between the two teams. The Celtics trounce the Lakers in a taut competition—four games to three—for the 1984 championship. The Lakers, ...