Magic Johnson: The Life Story Behind Basketball's Smile

Magic Johnson is one of the greatest basketball players in history, and the greatest point guard ever to play the game. He is six feet nine inches tall, he played point guard, a position for small men, and he did it with a smile, a vision, and a passing ability, that no one has ever matched, winning five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, three league MVP awards, and three Finals MVP awards, and leading the Showtime Lakers, the most entertaining team, in NBA history. He is also a hero, off the court, because he announced, in 1991, that he had HIV, and he became, the most famous person, in the world, living with the virus, and a champion, for awareness, and for hope.

Born on 14 August 1959 in Lansing, Michigan, Johnson grew up in a large family, one of ten children, and he played basketball at Everett High School, where he was given the nickname Magic, after a game, in which he scored thirty-six points, with sixteen rebounds, and sixteen assists, a triple-double, that made a local sportswriter, call him, Magic, and the name, stuck, forever. This is the story of Earvin.

Lansing, Michigan, and Everett High

Johnson was born in Lansing, and he grew up in a family of ten children, where his father Earvin Sr. worked at General Motors, and his mother Christine worked as a school custodian, and Earvin played basketball, from a young age, at Everett High School, where he was a star, leading his team, to the state championship, in 1977, and earning the nickname, Magic, after a triple-double, of thirty-six points, sixteen rebounds, and sixteen assists, a performance, that made a sportswriter, give him, the name, that would follow him, for the rest, of his life.

He went to Michigan State University, where he played two seasons, and he led the Spartans, to the NCAA championship, in 1979, beating Larry Bird, and Indiana State, in the final, a game, that is still, the most-watched, college basketball game, in history, and one that started, the greatest rivalry, in basketball, between Magic, and Bird, a rivalry, that would define, the NBA, for a decade, and save, the league, from obscurity.

The years at LA Lakers, from 1979–1991, were the making of Magic Johnson, because he learned to win there, to handle pressure there, and to deliver when the team needed him most, and those lessons stayed with Magic Johnson for the rest of his career, in every club, and every country, where he played afterwards. He won five NBA championships, three league MVPs, and three Finals MVPs, leading the Showtime Lakers. The time at LA Lakers shaped Magic Johnson as a player, and as a person, and it is a period Magic Johnson still looks back on, with pride, and with gratitude.

The Rise: Michigan State, the Lakers, and the Rookie

Johnson’s rise came in 1979, when he was drafted first overall, by the Los Angeles Lakers, and he became a star, immediately, winning the NBA championship, in his rookie season, in 1980, and being named Finals MVP, after a performance, in Game Six, that is, simply, one of the greatest, in NBA history, playing centre, in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and scoring forty-two points, with fifteen rebounds, and seven assists, a game, that made him, a legend, at twenty, in only his first season, in the league.

The rise continued through the 1980s, as Magic led the Showtime Lakers, the fastest, most entertaining team, in NBA history, winning championships, in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, and becoming, the face of the league, alongside Larry Bird, a rivalry, that made the NBA, popular, around the world, and one that turned basketball, into a global sport, with Magic, as its smiling, ambassador.

Magic Johnson made LA Lakers his home in 1996, and the supporters took him to their hearts, because Magic Johnson played with a passion that was obvious, and a skill that was undeniable, and he became one of their own, a player they still talk about, in USA and everywhere, when they remember the best teams, and the best days, that LA Lakers has ever known. He returned for a brief comeback, playing 32 games, before retiring for good, at thirty-six. Those years at LA Lakers remain a proud chapter in the story of Magic Johnson, and in the history of LA Lakers itself.

The Peak: Five Titles, Three MVPs, and Showtime

Johnson’s peak came in the 1980s, when he won five NBA championships with the Lakers, in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, and he was named Finals MVP, three times, in 1980, 1982, and 1987, and league MVP, three times, in 1987, 1989, and 1990, a run of success, that had not been seen, since the Boston Celtics, of the 1960s, and one that made him, one of the greatest players, in NBA history, and the greatest point guard, ever to play, the game.

He led the league in assists, four times, in 1983, 1984, 1986, and 1987, and he averaged, more than eleven assists a game, for his career, a record, that still stands, and he was named an All-Star, twelve times, and he was the engine, of the Showtime Lakers, a team that played, the fastest basketball, ever seen, in the NBA, running the floor, and passing, the ball, with a joy, that made fans, fall in love, with the game, all over again.

He retired in 1991, after announcing, that he had HIV, a moment that shocked the world, and one that changed, the conversation, about the virus, forever, because Magic was, the most famous athlete, in America, and he was honest, about his diagnosis, and he became, a champion, for awareness, and for treatment, and he returned, to play, in the All-Star Game, in 1992, and at the Olympics, with the Dream Team, winning gold, in Barcelona, a comeback, that moved, the whole world.

The NBA Finals in 1980 was one of the defining tournaments of the career of Magic Johnson, because the whole world was watching, and Magic Johnson showed, that he could perform, on the biggest stage, against the best, in his sport. He played centre in Game Six, scoring 42 points, and was named Finals MVP as a rookie. It was a performance that Magic Johnson earned, and one that showed the world, exactly what Magic Johnson could do.

At the NCAA championship in 1979, Magic Johnson proved, once again, that he was a player for the big occasion, delivering when the pressure was highest, and the stakes were greatest, in front of millions, around the world. He led Michigan State past Larry Bird and Indiana State, in the most-watched college game ever. The NCAA championship of 1979 added another chapter to the story of Magic Johnson, and it is one that his fans, will never forget.

Year after year, the story was the same, because Magic Johnson was there, at the top, competing, winning, and leading, and that longevity is what separates the great from the good, in USA and everywhere, because anyone can have one great season, but only the best, can have ten, and Magic Johnson had them, in USA and around the world.

In basketball, a career is judged by championships, and Magic Johnson won them, in the biggest games, against the best players, in the world, and that is why the name of Magic Johnson is remembered, by fans, in every country, where the game is played, and why young players, in USA, still study, the way Magic Johnson played.

USA: The Dream Team, the Gold, and the Hero

For the United States, Johnson is a hero and a legend, the leader of the Dream Team, at Barcelona 1992, the greatest basketball team, ever assembled, winning the gold medal, and changing, the sport, forever, because the Dream Team, made basketball, a global game, and Magic, was its heart, and its soul, a player who passed, the ball, with a joy, that the whole world, could see, and love.

He has also been a businessman, and a philanthropist, since retiring, owning cinemas, restaurants, and sports teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, and working, to bring jobs, and investment, to inner-city communities, in America, a mission that matters to him, as much as, any title, he won, as a player, and one that has made him, one of the most successful, athletes-turned-businessmen, in history, with a fortune, built on, hard work, and smart decisions.

The NBA Finals of 1987 remains a vivid memory for the fans of Magic Johnson, because it was a tournament where Magic Johnson played with a freedom, a bravery, and a skill, that made everyone take notice, of what he could do. He hit the junior sky-hook in Game Four against Boston, and was named Finals MVP. That tournament is still talked about, when fans remember the best of Magic Johnson, and the best of his sport.

Magic Johnson went into the Olympic Games in 1992 with expectation on his shoulders, and Magic Johnson carried it, with a calm that impressed everyone, and a quality that decided matches, when they mattered most. He won gold with the Dream Team in Barcelona, the greatest basketball team ever assembled. It was a performance that Magic Johnson earned, and one that showed the world, exactly what Magic Johnson could do.

The NBA Finals in 1991 was one of the defining tournaments of the career of Magic Johnson, because the whole world was watching, and Magic Johnson showed, that he could perform, on the biggest stage, against the best, in his sport. He lost to Michael Jordan and Chicago in five games, in the last Finals of the Showtime era. The NBA Finals of 1991 added another chapter to the story of Magic Johnson, and it is one that his fans, will never forget.

Vision, the Pass, and the Art of the Point Guard

Johnson’s game was built on vision, and passing. He was six feet nine, playing point guard, and he could see, over defenders, and find teammates, that no one else, could see, with no-look passes, and fast breaks, that were, simply, beautiful to watch, and he averaged, more than eleven assists a game, for his career, a record, that still stands, and one that proves, he was the greatest passer, in NBA history.

What made him special was his smile, and his joy. He played basketball, with a happiness, that was infectious, and he made his teammates, better, and the fans, happier, and he was the face, of the Showtime Lakers, a team that played, the most entertaining basketball, ever seen, and that is why, he is loved, in Los Angeles, and around the world, because he did not just win, he made winning, fun, for everyone, who watched him play.

In 1980, Magic Johnson won the NBA championship as a champion with the LA Lakers, winning the title as a rookie, and being named Finals MVP. The NBA championship in 1980 was a triumph that Magic Johnson will never forget, because it came after years of work, and it proved that Magic Johnson belonged, among the best, in his sport, and the medal, the trophy, and the memory, remain among the proudest, of his whole career. That NBA championship remains a landmark in the story of Magic Johnson, and in the history of USA sport.

In 1982, Magic Johnson won the NBA championship as a champion with the LA Lakers, beating Philadelphia in the Finals, and being named Finals MVP. When Magic Johnson won the NBA championship in 1982, it was the reward for everything he had given to the game, the training, the sacrifice, and the belief, and it showed the world, in USA and everywhere, that Magic Johnson was not just a talented player, but a winner, who could deliver, when it mattered most. It was a win that Magic Johnson earned, and one that no one can ever take away from Magic Johnson.

In 1985, Magic Johnson won the NBA championship as a champion with the LA Lakers, beating Boston in the Finals, for the first time ever. The NBA championship of 1985 stands out in the career of Magic Johnson, because it was won against the best, in the biggest arena, and it took everything Magic Johnson had, to win it, and the victory made him a hero, at home, and a star, around the world. The NBA championship of 1985 is the kind of triumph that defines a career, and Magic Johnson earned it, with years of work, and a performance, that will be remembered.

The HIV Announcement, the Retirement, and the Return

Johnson’s career was defined by the HIV announcement, in November 1991, when he told the world, that he had tested positive, for the virus, and that he was retiring, from basketball, at thirty-two, a moment that shocked, the world, because HIV, was then, seen as a death sentence, and Magic was, the most famous athlete, in America, and many people, thought he would die, within a few years, a fear, that he faced, with courage, and with honesty, and one that he overcame, through treatment, and through hope.

There were also defeats, including the loss, of the 1984 Finals, to Boston, in seven games, a series that hurt, because the Lakers, had led, and lost, and the loss, of the 1991 Finals, to Chicago, in five games, a series that marked, the end, of the Showtime era, and the passing, of the torch, to Michael Jordan, a moment, that Magic, has spoken about, openly, saying that he knew, his time, was over, and that Jordan, was the future, of the league.

The numbers tell their own story, for Magic Johnson. He won the Finals MVP as a rookie in 1980, playing centre in Game Six and scoring 42 points. He won five NBA championships with the LA Lakers, in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. He was named the league MVP three times, in 1987, 1989, and 1990. He led the league in assists four times, and he averaged more than 11 assists a game for his career, an NBA record. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, and he led the Dream Team to Olympic gold in 1992.

Those numbers matter, because they were not collected in easy matches, against weak opponents, but in the biggest tournaments, against the best players, in USA and around the world, and that is why they stand, as proof, of what Magic Johnson achieved, in his career.

The Greatest Point Guard Ever, and a Hero of the Game

Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest point guard in NBA history, and he is one of the greatest players, ever to play the game. He won five NBA championships, three league MVPs, and three Finals MVPs, and he averaged, more than eleven assists a game, for his career, a record, that still stands, and he did it, with a smile, a vision, and a joy, that no one else, has ever matched, in the history, of the sport.

His legacy is also about HIV, because he announced, in 1991, that he had the virus, and he lived, and he thrived, and he became, a champion, for awareness, and for treatment, and he showed the world, that HIV, is not a death sentence, and that is a legacy, that goes beyond basketball, and one that has saved, countless lives, around the world, because Magic, was honest, and brave, and he used his fame, to help others, and that is why, he is a hero, in every sense, of the word.

In 1987, Magic Johnson won the NBA championship as a champion with the LA Lakers, beating Boston in the Finals, and being named Finals MVP. Magic Johnson still talks about the NBA championship in 1987 as one of the great days of his life, because the whole team, the whole country, and the whole sport, were watching, and Magic Johnson delivered, with a performance that was calm, brave, and brilliant, when the pressure was greatest. That NBA championship remains a landmark in the story of Magic Johnson, and in the history of USA sport.

In 1988, Magic Johnson won the NBA championship as a champion with the LA Lakers, beating Detroit in the Finals, in seven games. Winning the NBA championship in 1988 changed the career of Magic Johnson, because it turned promise into proof, and talent into titles, and it gave Magic Johnson the confidence, to believe that he could win, again, and again, at the highest level, of his sport. It was a win that Magic Johnson earned, and one that no one can ever take away from Magic Johnson.

In 1987, Magic Johnson won the NBA Most Valuable Player as the best player in the league, averaging more than 23 points and 12 assists a game. The NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987 was a triumph that Magic Johnson will never forget, because it came after years of work, and it proved that Magic Johnson belonged, among the best, in his sport, and the medal, the trophy, and the memory, remain among the proudest, of his whole career. The NBA Most Valuable Player of 1987 is the kind of triumph that defines a career, and Magic Johnson earned it, with years of work, and a performance, that will be remembered.

Beyond the headline triumphs, there were more, because Magic Johnson also won the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987; the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1989; the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1990, honours that are easy to overlook, beside the biggest titles, but ones that show the depth, and the consistency, of the career of Magic Johnson, year after year, tournament after tournament, at the highest level.

Count the honours, and the scale of the career of Magic Johnson becomes clear, because the list runs to 8 major titles, medals, and awards, each one earned, in competition, against the best, in USA and the world, and each one a chapter, in a story, that few players, in any sport, can match, for length, for quality, and for consistency, over so many years, and among them, the NBA championship in 1980 stands tall, for Magic Johnson and for USA.

The journey of Magic Johnson took him from LA Lakers to LA Lakers, two clubs, two chapters, and one career, built on work, on talent, and on a refusal, to settle, for anything less, than the very best, Magic Johnson could be, in his sport.

One moment stands out above the rest: the Game Six in 1980. Johnson played centre, in place of the injured Kareem, and scored 42 points, with 15 rebounds and 7 assists, winning the championship as a rookie, and being named Finals MVP, a performance that is one of the greatest, in NBA history.

My Take:

I want to be honest about Magic Johnson, about what was great, and about what was not, because that is the only way, to understand, a career, like his.

What I admire most about Johnson is the joy, because he played basketball with a smile, and a happiness, that was infectious, and he made his teammates better, and the fans happier, and he won five championships, three MVPs, and three Finals MVPs, with that joy. When I look at young players who want to be great, I tell them to watch Magic, because greatness is not just about winning, it is about how you win, and he won, with a smile, that made everyone, love the game, a little more.

The Game Six in 1980 is the moment that defines him, because he was a rookie, twenty years old, and he played centre, in place of Kareem, and scored forty-two points, winning the championship, and being named Finals MVP, a performance that is simply one of the greatest, in NBA history. That is not just a game, it is a legend, and it is the performance that will be remembered when his career is over, as the night Magic became, Magic, forever.

I also think Johnson is underrated as a leader, because he led the Showtime Lakers, the most entertaining team in history, and he made everyone around him better, with his passing, his vision, and his smile, a leadership that is rare, and one that made him the greatest point guard, ever to play the game. He averaged more than eleven assists a game, for his career, a record that still stands, and that is proof, of what he meant, to his team, and to the sport.

If I have a criticism, it is only the HIV announcement, and that is not a criticism of Magic, it is a tragedy of the time, because he had to retire, at thirty-two, when he was still one of the best players, in the world, and the league lost, one of its greatest stars, too soon. But he came back, he won gold, with the Dream Team, and he became a champion, for awareness, and for hope, and that is character, and it is why he is a hero, in every sense, of the word.

When I think about the Game Six in 1980, I think about what it teaches, because Johnson played centre, in place of the injured Kareem, and scored 42 points, with 15 rebounds and 7 assists, winning the championship as a rookie, and being named Finals MVP, a performance that is one of the greatest, in NBA history. And that is the lesson, that talent opens the door, but character walks through it, and Magic Johnson walked through it, again and again, in his career.

The moment I keep coming back to is the NCAA final in 1979, because Johnson led Michigan State past Bird and Indiana State, in the most-watched college basketball game ever, a game that started the greatest rivalry, in basketball history, between Magic and Bird. It is the kind of moment that stays with you, long after the match is over, and it is why Magic Johnson matters, not just as a player, but as an example, for anyone, who wants to be great.

Take the HIV announcement in 1991, and look at it closely, because Johnson told the world he had HIV, and retired, at thirty-two, a moment that shocked the world, and changed the conversation about the virus, forever, because he was honest, and brave, and he lived, and he thrived. That is not luck, it is preparation, meeting opportunity, and Magic Johnson was prepared, because he had done the work, for years, before that moment, ever arrived.

I will never forget the Dream Team in 1992, because Johnson won Olympic gold with the Dream Team in Barcelona, the greatest basketball team ever assembled, a comeback that moved the whole world, after his HIV announcement, a year earlier. Moments like that are why sport matters, and why Magic Johnson will be remembered, long after the final whistle, of his final match, has blown.

One record, more than any other, sums up Magic Johnson, because He won the Finals MVP as a rookie in 1980, playing centre in Game Six and scoring 42 points. It is the kind of achievement that takes a whole career, to earn, and a whole lifetime, to appreciate, and Magic Johnson earned it, the hard way.

Look at the record, and look at what it means, because He won five NBA championships with the LA Lakers, in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. That is not a number on a page, it is a career, in miniature, and it is why Magic Johnson belongs, among the greats, of his sport.

The numbers say it plainly, because He was named the league MVP three times, in 1987, 1989, and 1990. And numbers do not lie, they do not flatter, and they do not forget, and that is why the record of Magic Johnson will stand, for years, to come.

One record, more than any other, sums up Magic Johnson, because He led the league in assists four times, and he averaged more than 11 assists a game for his career, an NBA record. It is the kind of achievement that takes a whole career, to earn, and a whole lifetime, to appreciate, and Magic Johnson earned it, the hard way.

The lesson of Magic Johnson is a lesson for every young basketball player in USA, because he proved that work, talent, and belief, win championships, and that a boy, from anywhere, can become a champion, if he is willing, to do the work, that others will not do, and to keep going, when others stop.

The fans of Magic Johnson will tell you, that he was more than a player, because he gave them memories, that they will carry, for the rest of their lives, and that is the true measure, of a basketball player, not the rings, but the joy, he gave, to the people, who watched him play.

If you want to understand Magic Johnson, start with the numbers, because he won 8 major honours, he played for 2 clubs or teams, and he set 5 records, that are listed, in his story, and those numbers were not given to him, they were earned, in competition, against the best, in the world, over many years, and that is why they matter, because they are the proof, of a career, that was built, on work, on talent, and on a refusal, to accept, anything less, than the best.

The future is still open for Magic Johnson, because his story is not finished, and the next chapter, whatever it holds, will be watched, by millions, in USA and around the world, who want to see, what he does next, and whether he can add, to a career, that is already, one of the greats, of his sport, and that is the mark, of a true star, that people care, about what happens next, long after, the biggest triumphs, are already, in the past.

The best thing, about watching Magic Johnson, was that you never knew, what he would do next, because he could surprise you, in any moment, with a piece of skill, that no one expected, and that unpredictability, is what made him, so exciting, to watch, and so hard, to play against, and it is why, fans in USA, still talk about him, today.

I have watched Magic Johnson for years, and the thing that strikes me, every time, is the intelligence, because he reads the game, two moves ahead, and he is already, where the ball will be, before anyone else, has even moved, and that anticipation is not luck, it is study, and it is why Magic Johnson was so hard, to play against, in USA and around the world, for so many years.

If I could tell a young player one thing, about Magic Johnson, it would be this, watch how he trains, because the matches are the reward, but the training is the work, and Magic Johnson trained, like every session mattered, like every drill, was a final, and that attitude is the reason, that he lasted, at the top, for so long, and won, the NBA championship in 1980, and so much more, besides.

People talk about the talent of Magic Johnson, and they are right to, because the talent was obvious, from the first time, anyone saw him play, but talent is only the start, and what made Magic Johnson great, was the work, that came after, the hours, the repetition, and the refusal, to be satisfied, with being good, when he could be, the best, in the world.

There is a moment, in every great career, when the player realises, that he belongs, and for Magic Johnson, that moment changed everything, because from then on, he did not hope, to win, he expected to, and that expectation, carried him, through the hardest matches, of his career, in USA and around the world, and it is why, he won, again and again.

I think the most underrated part of Magic Johnson is his character, because he handled success, without arrogance, and defeat, without excuses, and that balance is rare, in a world, that rewards noise, and Magic Johnson was quiet, in victory, and gracious, in defeat, and that is why, he is respected, by everyone, who played, with him, or against him, at LA Lakers.

The fans in USA love Magic Johnson, and it is easy to see why, because he gave them, something to believe in, and he never, let them down, and when he played, the whole country, stopped, to watch, and that connection, between a player, and his people, is the most powerful thing, in sport, and Magic Johnson had it, in full, for his whole career.

What I would say to anyone, who doubts Magic Johnson, is simple, look at the record, because the NBA championship in 1980 is there, and the other honours, are there, and they were not given, they were earned, in the hardest, arenas, in the world, against the best, opponents, in the world, and that is the answer, to every doubt, that anyone, could ever raise.

The beauty of watching Magic Johnson was the simplicity, because he made the hardest things, look easy, and the easiest things, look perfect, and that is the mark, of a master, in any sport, and it is why, young players, in USA, still copy, the way he moved, the way he thought, and the way, he played, the game.

I have seen many great players, and Magic Johnson belongs, with the very best, because he did it, for longer, and under more pressure, than most, and he did it, with a smile, and a humility, that made him, easy to admire, and hard, to dislike, and that is a combination, that few athletes, in any era, have ever managed, to achieve.

If Magic Johnson had never won another title, after the NBA championship in 1980, his career, would still matter, because of the way, he played, and the way, he carried himself, and the example, he set, for the next generation, in USA and around the world, and that is the true measure, of a great athlete, not the count, of the trophies, but the size, of the example.

What stays with me, about Magic Johnson, is the consistency, because year after year, season after season, he delivered, the same standard, the same effort, and the same quality, and that is harder, than one brilliant season, because anyone can be great, for a month, but only the best, are great, for a decade, and Magic Johnson was great, for a decade, in USA and around the world.

I think about the young Magic Johnson, the one who started out, with nothing but talent, and a dream, and I think about how far he travelled, from those first days, to the NBA championship in 1980, and the journey is the story, not the destination, because the work, the sacrifice, and the belief, are what made him, and the trophy, was only, the proof.

There is something about the way Magic Johnson handled defeat, that tells you, more about him, than any victory ever could, because he lost, he learned, and he came back, stronger, and he did not blame anyone, he did not make excuses, and he did not quit, and that is why, his teammates trusted him, and his opponents respected him, at LA Lakers and everywhere, he played.

The numbers tell one story, about Magic Johnson, but the eyes tell another, because anyone who watched him play, could see, that he loved the game, that he played, with joy, and with freedom, and that love, is what carried him, through the hard days, and the injuries, and the defeats, and it is why, he lasted, as long as he did, at the very top.

That is the career of Magic Johnson, in full, the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and the lessons, and it is a career, that deserves, to be remembered, not just, for what he won, but for how, he won it, and for who, he was, while, he was winning it.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Magic Johnson born?

Magic Johnson was born on 14 August 1959 in Lansing, Michigan. He grew up in a family of ten children, played at Everett High School, where he earned the nickname Magic, and at Michigan State University, where he won the NCAA title in 1979.

How many championships did Magic Johnson win?

Johnson won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. He was named Finals MVP three times, and league MVP three times, in 1987, 1989, and 1990.

Did Magic Johnson play centre in the 1980 Finals?

Yes, Johnson played centre in Game Six of the 1980 NBA Finals, in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and scored 42 points, with 15 rebounds and 7 assists, winning the championship as a rookie and being named Finals MVP.

When did Magic Johnson announce he had HIV?

Johnson announced in November 1991 that he had tested positive for HIV, and he retired from basketball at thirty-two. He returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game and at the Olympics with the Dream Team, winning gold in Barcelona.

Is Magic Johnson in the Hall of Fame?

Yes, Johnson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He is now a successful businessman, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and a champion for HIV awareness and inner-city investment.