Five-time NBA champion who revolutionised the point guard position and sparked the Showtime Lakers era.
Magic Johnson stands 6ft 9in yet played point guard โ a combination that had never been seen before. His five championships with the "Showtime" Lakers defined 1980s basketball. His 1991 announcement that he had contracted HIV and his subsequent advocacy transformed public understanding of the disease. His rivalry with Larry Bird revived NBA television ratings at a critical moment.
He scored 42 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and had 7 assists in the 1980 NBA Finals while playing centre โ a position he had never played professionally.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- NBA Champion 5x
- NBA MVP 3x
- Finals MVP 3x
- Olympic Gold 1992