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