The original “Unicorn,” who possessed the size and skill even as a rookie to fill in at center in game six of the 1980 NBA Finals; made a shocking retirement announcement in 1991 at age 32, then came back to earn a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic Dream Team in 1992
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- All-time NBA leader in career assists per game
- Announcing his retirement due to contracting HIV
- Appearance in “The Weapon Rap” Converse commercial
- As great rookie who didn’t earn Rookie of the Year
- As Lakers legend
- As rookie with great postseason performance
- “Baby sky hook” (game four, 1987 NBA Finals)
- Coaching the Lakers
- Comeback from retirement
- Co-author of the book When the Game Was Ours
- Debut NBA game
- Earning league MVP and then getting eliminated early in the playoffs (1990)
- Earning league MVP in a controversial voting (1990)
- Feuding with coach Paul Westhead
- Final game vs. Larry Bird
- In 1979 NCAA Tournament National Final
- Nicknamed “Magic”
- On 1992 U.S. Olympic team
- On ’84-’85 Los Angeles Lakers (greatest teams)
- On ’86-’87 Los Angeles Lakers (greatest teams)
- Rivalry with Larry Bird
- Signature Converse Weapon shoe
- Taking over as starting center in game six of the 1980 NBA Finals
- Winner of an NCAA title, NBA title, and Olympic gold medal
- Winning Finals MVP in a controversial voting (1982)
Associated topics
los angeles lakers
nba finals
kareem abdul-jabbar
awards and honors
entertainment and media
retirements and comebacks
dream team
michigan state
bird and magic
james worthy
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Itttttttt’s Showtime!: Ranking the 30 players who won a title as Magic Johnson’s Lakers teammate
In his first nine NBA seasons, Magic Johnson led the Lakers to seven NBA Finals appearances and five titles. Today, we rank the 30 players who were part of those…
When the game was theirs: Eight crucial games that defined the Bird vs. Magic rivalry
Their rivalry is still the pinnacle of the NBA for many, and their subsequent friendship still inspires. As we approach the 30th anniversary of their final NBA match-up, we take…
Allow me to reintroduce myself: Nine NBA players (besides Michael Jordan) who came back from retirement
Aside from the obvious (Mr. Jordan), here are nine other players who made an NBA comeback after officially declaring retirement, usually with results that were mediocre, at best.
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