The Nba's Magicman
Author: Jonathon Hardcastle
Author: Jonathon Hardcastle
Earvin Johnson Jr., known simply as "Magic" to millions of
basketball fans all over the world, has been one of the NBA's
best players and biggest winners. Standing 6-9, Johnson
revolutionized the point guard position with his pure passing
and all-around versatility.
Johnson was a winner at every level of his career, starting in
high school and including college, professional and
international. At Michigan State University, he injected a
much-needed dose of enthusiasm and passion into the college
hoops scene, eventually leading his school to the 1979 National
Championship over Indiana State which was led by another
legendary basketball player, Larry Bird. Bird would become
Johnson's closest rival throughout their respective careers.
Their college championship showdown became the most watched
college basketball game in history.
Johnson later joined the Los Angeles Lakers and was their heart
and soul for 13 seasons, leading them to five NBA championships.
He was named to the NBA All-Star team 12 times, league MVP three
times and NBA Finals MVP three times. In 2002, he was inducted
into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was
voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.
In 1991, Johnson announced that he was HIV-positive and retired
from the NBA. He was among the first sports celebrities and one
of the most popular public figures to ever do so.
Johnson earned his nickname back in high school when he was an
All-American at Everett High School in Lansing, Michigan. He
was 15 at the time and he had an amazing game where he finished
with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists. That inspired a
local sports writer named Fred Stabley to christen Johnson as
Magic. In his senior year, Johnson led Everett to the state
championship (27-1 win-loss record).
When he entered the NBA in 1979, the league suffered from a
poor image and was ranked third in popularity behind the NFL
and MLB. But Johnson's rivalry with Bird, who had joined the
Boston Celtics, revitalized the NBA. In their first three years
in the league, the duo produced two championships – two for
Magic and one for Bird. Before they were done, the dynamic duo
would have eight NBA championships between them – five for
Magic and three for Bird.
About The Author: Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for
http://esportssource.net/ - In addition, Jonathon also writes
articles for http://everythingaboutgames.net/ and
http://moviestelevisionandmore.com/
basketball fans all over the world, has been one of the NBA's
best players and biggest winners. Standing 6-9, Johnson
revolutionized the point guard position with his pure passing
and all-around versatility.
Johnson was a winner at every level of his career, starting in
high school and including college, professional and
international. At Michigan State University, he injected a
much-needed dose of enthusiasm and passion into the college
hoops scene, eventually leading his school to the 1979 National
Championship over Indiana State which was led by another
legendary basketball player, Larry Bird. Bird would become
Johnson's closest rival throughout their respective careers.
Their college championship showdown became the most watched
college basketball game in history.
Johnson later joined the Los Angeles Lakers and was their heart
and soul for 13 seasons, leading them to five NBA championships.
He was named to the NBA All-Star team 12 times, league MVP three
times and NBA Finals MVP three times. In 2002, he was inducted
into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was
voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.
In 1991, Johnson announced that he was HIV-positive and retired
from the NBA. He was among the first sports celebrities and one
of the most popular public figures to ever do so.
Johnson earned his nickname back in high school when he was an
All-American at Everett High School in Lansing, Michigan. He
was 15 at the time and he had an amazing game where he finished
with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists. That inspired a
local sports writer named Fred Stabley to christen Johnson as
Magic. In his senior year, Johnson led Everett to the state
championship (27-1 win-loss record).
When he entered the NBA in 1979, the league suffered from a
poor image and was ranked third in popularity behind the NFL
and MLB. But Johnson's rivalry with Bird, who had joined the
Boston Celtics, revitalized the NBA. In their first three years
in the league, the duo produced two championships – two for
Magic and one for Bird. Before they were done, the dynamic duo
would have eight NBA championships between them – five for
Magic and three for Bird.
About The Author: Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for
http://esportssource.net/ - In addition, Jonathon also writes
articles for http://everythingaboutgames.net/ and
http://moviestelevisionandmore.com/
