Magic Johnson, a basketball legend, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He won five NBA championships, three MVP awards, and 12 All-Star selections. Johnson was also the all-time leader in assists and a Hall of Famer. He was a 12-time All-Star and a nine-time member of the All-NBA team.
Johnson played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. He was also a Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Drazen. The Hall of Fame elects former Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson, Harlem Globetrotters, and late former New Jersey Nets player Drazen.
Magic Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He became a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, being enshrined in 2002 for his individual career and as a member of the Dream Team in 2010.
Johnson became an immediate NBA superstar, becoming a 12-time All Star, a two-time All-Star Game MVP, and nine-time All-NBA First Team honoree. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002 and is a member of NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Magic Johnson’s career achievements include being an All-American, Big Ten MVP, and NCAA MVP. His contributions to the game have been widely recognized and celebrated throughout history.
📹 Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech
Larry Bird introduces Earvin “Magic” Johnson upon “Magic” being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as …
Is Dennis Rodman a hof?
Dennis Rodman, a Hall of Famer in the sport of basketball and a wrestling legend, is a renowned figure in the field of professional sports.
How tall was Magic Johnson at 15?
Magic Johnson, a taller player than the average middle-schooler, was a key player in the NBA. He was nearly 6’6″ by high school, making him a formidable opponent. His physical development and developing skills made him a great opponent, and by age 15, he was gaining national attention as a top prospect. Johnson recalled his challenges at Everett High School, where teammates didn’t want to pass him the ball. However, sports brought these kids closer as a team, eventually winning a state championship, which laid the foundation for Magic’s standing among NBA veterans for generations.
Is Johnson in the Hall of Fame?
Andre Johnson, the inaugural Texans player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, delivered an impassioned address at the enshrinement ceremony, underscoring the strenuous efforts that propelled his success and the profound influence of Houston on his career.
Is Magic Johnson a legend?
Magic Johnson, a Lakers legend, is not interested in any player with a lesser championship record, even if they are one of the biggest names in the NBA today. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards recently asked the Wall Street Journal how he thinks basketball is different now compared to older generations, stating that he has no interest in the opinion of players with a lesser championship record.
Is Magic Johnson an All Star?
Earvin “Magic” Johnson was a legendary basketball player who was a point guard in a power forward’s body, showcasing his incredible skills on and off the court. At 6-foot-9, he was the all-time leader in assists when he retired from the NBA. Johnson’s passion for basketball and his ability to excel at every phase of the game made him a true NBA superstar. He played all five positions in the 1980 NBA Finals, scoring 42 points and being named NBA Finals MVP.
After a star-studded scholastic career at Lansing Everett High School and an All-America career at Michigan State, Johnson became an immediate NBA superstar, becoming a 12-time All Star, a two-time All Star Game MVP, and nine-time All-NBA First Team honoree.
Who isn’t in the NBA Hall of Fame?
The following is a list of the 19 best NBA players who are not currently enshrined in the Hall of Fame: Jordan O’Neal, Elton Brand, Kevin Johnson, Shawn Kemp, Rasheed Wallace, Sam Forencich, Stephon Marbury, Jonathan Daniel, Tim Hardaway, Jon Soohoo, and Shawn Marion.
Can anyone buy a Walk of Fame star?
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a costly event, with a $250 application fee and a $75, 000 sponsorship fee upon selection. This fee covers the creation, installation, and maintenance of the star, as well as permits for off-duty security, fire department, production costs, and photography. The event is a tourist attraction, but not all expenses are free. Liza Minnelli’s fan club raised funds by having bake sales, where people paid an entry fee to eat baked goods and watch her movies.
What Hall of Famers played with Magic Johnson?
Magic Johnson, a 12-time NBA All-Star, first-team All-NBA for nine consecutive years, and NBA Most Valuable Player Award winner, played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. He was nicknamed “Magic” by a sportswriter who saw him play at Everett High School in Michigan. Magic’s big smile, enthusiasm, engaging personality, and style of play endeared him to basketball fans worldwide. He was the catalyst for the Lakers “Showtime” era, leading the Lakers to five championships.
Magic was a unique player who came along about every ten years, compared to Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, and Julius Erving. In Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar out due to an ankle injury, Magic played all five positions and led the Lakers to the NBA Championship. He scored 42 points, pulled down 15 rebounds, had 7 assists, and was a perfect 14-of-14 from the line.
Magic has made a huge impact on the lives of others both on and off the basketball court. On the court, he was a champion and his style of play was highly entertaining for fans. Off the court, he led the fight against AIDS and became a successful businessman who helped transform the inner city and change lives.
Is MJ a Hall of Famer?
In 2009, Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame alongside NBA legends John Stockton, David Robinson, and Jerry Sloan. In 2006, he held a minority ownership stake in the then-Charlotte Bobcats, which was later renamed the Hornets in 2010. Jordan was approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors in 2010 as the majority owner of the Bobcats, buying them from Bob Johnson. He has been involved in the Charlotte community through philanthropy, donating millions to causes and charities, and opening a second Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Is Magic Johnson a Hall of Famer?
Earvin Johnson Jr., a former NBA player and entrepreneur, was born in Lansing, Michigan, to General Motors assembly worker Earvin Sr. and school janitor Christine. Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He became a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, being enshrined in 2002 for his individual career and as a member of the Dream Team in 2010.
Johnson’s friendship and rivalry with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird are well documented. Since retiring, Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, broadcaster, and motivational speaker. He is a founding member of Guggenheim Baseball Management, managing entity of the MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, and is part of ownership groups of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the MLS’ Los Angeles FC, the NFL’s Washington Commanders, and the NWSL’s Washington Spirit. Johnson has won 14 total championships during his career, one in college, five as an NBA player, and eight as an owner.
📹 1992 US Olympic “Dream” Team’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech
Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird speek on behalf of the 1992 US Olympic “Dream” Team being enshrined to the Naismith …
Magic so often is cutting up, big smile on his face and laughing…. In this speech, his demeanor was more reserved and humble. Spent the whole speech thanking everyone along the way. This contrast from his flashy smile shows this speech is coming from a place very deep within his core – his love for the game, and his appreciativeness of those who helped him mature into one of the all-time greats. Very moving and heartfelt, from beginning to end. Magic…
I’m having a really bad day. A bad week, actually. The kind that really makes you question a lot of things. And I stumbled onto this article, and it made me feel better. Heroes are important. Everyone fights adversity now and then. And seeing Bird and Magic, who embodied such heroic traits, and who both lost so many times only to become ultimate winners…seeng them, remembering them gives me more strength. So…thanks for posting this:)
Being a hardcore celtic and Bird fan, I have all the respect and admiration for Magic Johnson. He made me upset many times when he beat the celtics, but I knew he was the best and that is nothing to be ashamed about. God bless you Magic! I wander if Magic and Bird ever played PIG or HORSE after retirement?
If you grew up in this era as a kid whether you were a Lakers fan or not, you ALWAYS turned on the TV to watch if Magic was on the floor. The man was an amazing basketball player. Sure there have been better scorers, better assist guys (not many), better defenders. But NOT ONE of them were all of those things wrapped up into one player who could play any position, play against any other player, and have a great amount of success in one fashion or another. Not to mention Magic was a natural leader and one hell of a showman. Magic always had a saying that went like “The first 3 quarters are yours to do as you wish, but, come the 4th quarter it’s winning time”….and that summed up everything he was about. SHOWTIME 4 LIFE!
He could play any position, anytime and excell at it. Plus he had an amazing instinctive understanding of the game’s flow… Magic breathed basketball like we do air… To me he’s the best. Jordan was blessed with unstoppable agility and athletism, like Chamberlain was before. But perusal Magic play, you had the impression that he had scripted the game’s plays himself…like a Basketball Jedi knowing what was about to happen…
Bird and Magic: Like Russell and Chamberlain. Rivals on the court. Friends off the court. There will never be another Bird and another Magic. Respect and much love to Bird and Magic. I’m a Boston Celtics fan and I shed a few tears perusal Bird’s dedication speech and Magic’s induction speech. And the best part: Bird and Magic dedicated their being there TO EACH OTHER. They truly are both class acts!!!!!
Larry and Magic defined the end of an era where you can be a warrior on the court, but a gentleman and humble off the court. What a difference between Jordan’s acceptance speech and Magic’s. I still say MJ would not have existed without these two, Larry and Magic. That was the greatest generation in the NBA. I’m blessed to have grown up with it.
Greatest rivals and greatest friends, that’s what sports should be all about! When i was 14 i was playing Magic Johnson’s basketball game on my old old computer and personalized the game cover with cuts from magazines, and magically 1 year later, NBA was fully broadcasted on a new website(yes we only had 2 back then), and what a joy, what an age to watch NBA,Magic, Bird, and Michael Jordan a little bit later(when we think it could not get any better, it did!).I had a neighbour that knew all the schedules of the big games and we secretely meet at my place to watch them at 1 or 2 am, yes you know, we were 5 hours ahead, but it would make it even more special.Did you bring cola(beer)?some snacks?yeah, 5 minutes for the game to start and then Magic or simple magic would happen, we’d high five we’d jump with all those thrilling moves and we would have school 4 hours later,but we didn’t care, we were there to witness the greates moments of NBA and basketball. It was Magic, it was real magic
You can tell that, in absolutely every facet, he developed himself as a person while playing basketball. Obviously his charisma and personality are huge reflections of his parents…but I’m always blown away at how well he speaks and delivers his thoughts. That he was forward thinking enough to truly develop his business sense — and sought out the mentorship & put in the work, is ultra impressive. There’d have been nothing wrong with him just being the best basketball player he could & not delve into anything else, but he clearly & genuinely learned. I’m so glad he’s still with us and doing well.
In my opinion he was just as good as Jordan. The difference is his character. If you watch MJ’s speech it’s so cocky and he just talks about how great he is. Magic spent almost the entire speech thanking the people that got him there. I have so much respect for Johnson. He is and forever will be my favorite player, on and off the court.
Larry and Magic personify what it is to be rivals throughout their careers and after it, be best friends and have the ultimate respect for each other. I truly feel like these guys transformed basketball in many ways. All the guys who play in the NBA today should thank these guys for turning basketball around from what it was.
I can’t believe that was 22 minutes long. When the credits started rollin, I felt like it had just started a min ago. That was just beautiful. Best induction speech ever. Magic was one of the most skilled, talented, competitive, players ever, with a personal drive & will to win only seen in the most elite level all time greats. But he was also just so special in being the most versatile player ever, way before that was ever seen at any level (plus, he very well may’ve has the highest basketball IQ to ever step on an NBA floor. He & Larry were both like coaches while they were players (MVP caliber players, that is), starting early in their college careers. Incredible basketball mind, & even more heart to boot. But Magic is an even more brilliant, wonderful person. And the whole Johnson clan—pure gold. A great man who’s so mulch more than one of the best athletes ever. Anybody who regards Magic as a personal hero: you couldn’t picked a better choice. Go, Sparty, Go Everett Vikings ✊#33 forev
Thanks for posting! Never saw Magic’s induction and what a great speech – truly from the heart and such a class act. Inspirational to see someone that great be so humble and genuine. Loved Bird as well – very funny and down to earth. Peel away the team jerseys and these 2 are the same guy, dedication to team and will to win.
How great is it to see two of three most team oriented players in the history of basketball be linked and friends be a part of history that saved the game.(Bill Russell being the only other). Watched this a bunch of times and still see the games in my mind. Always been a Celtic fan and don’t like the Lakers.But respect Magic. Great times in the NBA.
This article just reminds me why Magic was one of my heroes growing up, sure he made mistakes in his personal life but he not only paid the price but he kept his faith in God, refocused on his family and stayed the course through all the diversity to be extremely successful in all areas off the court too. Way to go Magic!
Magic!, I started to play basketball in Michael Jordan’s times around 1997, but soon I knew there was another player that years before was making magic with the ball, and was an excelent person but sadly his carrer had to be stopped with 5 NBA titles, and soon after hearing people talking I discovered that this was you. I was Michael Jackson fan and I watched all his articles, Jordan had appeared in Jam but you in Remember the time three great of all time reunited! Awesome!, Thank you for all your efforts to making magic from basketball that we can enjoy today through articles and know you as a player and as a person, your smile and humble personality always continues to attract more basketball fans around the world, even if they were not of your times. Thank you man and God gives you many many more years of life, you simply were great ! Thank you Magic for all
The big time love n respect which Larry n magic had for one another is why I don’t care for the NBA anymore when those two came to the pros it just got me more involved in playing in high school although I admit mine was more recreational than anything else really enjoyed the game so much when they played
Loved the speech by Larry Bird loved how his wife and mother escorted Magic to the stage. Magic was a great player one of the best point guards, Larry Bird one of the best bb players either of them could easily be the goat up there with Jordan, Jordan just is able to do a little more. Magic Johnsons one of the greatest, Bird and Magic had a grear rivalry both playes so well and won championships., Magic could score and really pass that ball he was great at the assist and looked to pass more than score but was also a good scorer.
All of these Hall of Fame speeches are so well done. I will never forget Magic’s baby hook shot just inside the foul line against Kevin McHale with just a couple of seconds left in the NBA Finals in the Boston Garden to win the game. That shot took the breath out of all Boston Celtics fans for probably two years until they won their last Championship in the Bird era a couple of years later.
I think these 2 players are more humble people, although Larry Bird is one of the greatest trash talkers in the history of NBA. Michael Jordan is sort of like thinking he is the God of basketball (which is arguably legitimate, though). I agree that most people would like to have a friend like Magic Johnson rather than Michael Jordan.
Magic the player was my favorite growing up, and it was until years after retirement that I got to see Larry Bird for what a great player he was. What a great family Magic came from. When times are tough your true friends show their true colors. Pat Riley and L Bird as I’m sure Magic’s family were his support. How about his wife? Magic struck gold with her! What a good woman. I’m so glad he’s healthy and doing well, but damn I wanted a rematch with a healthy James Worthy against the Bulls. Magic and that team would have probably been back to the Finals a couple times, and one thing about guys like Magic and Bird, you may beat them once, but they will be back for revenge…. Aids robbed Magic and us all of what could have been a 90s Lakers/Bulls rivalry.
Two basketball players in a life time you will be bless to see.Years will need to pass even decades for that one highschool coach to show the fundamentals of basketball. The points are not what make your team good but the unselfish play to the open man. A innocent feeling of a family you believe and trust.
That was a beautiful ceremony. When Larry was playing, I was definitely a Celtics fan. But how can you not love Magic too. Such a bubbling personality and a tremendous player. Both he and Larry changed the sport for the better. But as the great Pat Riley once said, “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan, If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird.”
What a phenomenal baller and game winner. Earliest memory of college hoop was him and Kelser getting it on at MSU. 6′ 9″ guy playing with total joy. Absolutely one of a kind. I’m a Chicago guy, but if you were picking 5 a side and had to win for your life he’d be in the conversation for first man picked.
I’m so glad to say I’m from the State of Michigan . Magic you make us all proud. Tom Brady Michigan Alumni . We Thank You and Nick Saban coach at Michigan State in the past . Henry Ford producer of the Model T automobile.. Berry Gordy Motown records. Thank you all for making our State of Michigan a place that has prduced the Greatest in the history of the World .
Larry and Magic=BASKETBALL. No question. Much respect to both players. Larry Bird always telling it like it is even in his speech on Magics career. He gave a nod to Jordan. That takes absolute gut given it was Magics induction/ Magic just laughed and shrugged it off. That is the type of class that is missing in the NBA today. If I had someone inducting me into the HoF and he/she mentioned another guys name as a great.greater than me or anything like that I’d probably be pissed.
After seeing so much of Jordan recently, it can be hard to reconcile with his obvious faults, despite his singular talents. However, perusal enshrinement speeches brings out the sheer sense of community that existed in the game of NBA basketball at that time. These two men, Magic and Bird, really personify the joy, respect and human endeavor that comes with true sportsmanship. And they could jam.
I read MAGIC’S biography as a kid. He was from Michigan. I was from Ohio. Similar weather. He said, as a kid, he wanted to be so good that he would shovel snow from the court to play during Winter, so I started doing the same thing because I wanted to be just like him. My Parents thought I had an unhealthy obsession with basketball because I practiced so much. Unfortunately, for me, God only gives so many people his kind of athleticism. I grew to 6ft 4inches. I began dunking in between 8th and 9th grade. I could handle the ball, shoot, rebound, always got the trophy for most blocked shots & rebounds every season but still wasn’t good enough. Most people don’t even realize just how great these players are. They are Olympians like God’s from Greek Mythology. They can do things no one else can. They deserve every penny they ever got.
Magic Johnson calling Larry Bird “brother”, twice! They didn’t need to play in the same team, they didn’t need to be the same race. They just respected each other greatly for what they meant to the the game; that made them brothers, even before they got to play together, at the end of their legendary careers.
The greatest Basketball Team ever assembled, and arguably the greatest team in the history of Competitive sport. Always get choked up by Magic and Bird’s friendship. Such savage competitors and fierce rivals on the court, and yet such genuine reverence and love for the other off the court. A truer example of sportsmanship I have yet to see. ❤️🏀🥇
MJ with all of his deserved accolades throughout his amazing career still regarded this time in his life as his most memorable and greatest achievement which was winning a gold medal for playing on the United States 92 Olympic basketball team. Every fantastic player in attendance on this night will go on forever remembered as the Dream Team because they were just that, a dream team.
Love seeing these two legends speak knowing not one person would dare interrupt or correct them… so much respect for them, even Jordan looked up to these guys and waits in the shadows as they control the speeches.. Great humble superstars with no ego’s and played to win… not for the money like the starts of today
92’ Dream Team will always be untouchable in Basketball lore. Having a broken down Larry Bird who was (at the time in his career, cause of injuries) pretty much a show pony. AND still so revered and respected by the likes of MJ, Barkley, Magic & the rest is a true testament of the Living Legend!!!! The hick from French lick, couldn’t run, couldn’t dribble, couldn’t jump but would kill everyone to win. And did. When the monsters of the game bow to Bird, so should everyone else!
The selection of Christian Laettner to the Olympic team over Shaquille O’Neal has increasingly become a source of controversy because of O’Neal’s professional accomplishments in the NBA. The selection committee considered several college players including Jimmy Jackson, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, and Christian Laettner.Shaquille O’Neal was the number one pick in the 1992 NBA draft, but Laettner was by far the more accomplished college player. Laettner won consecutive National Championships on the Duke Blue Devils in 1991 and 1992, was the Naismith College Player of the Year, and hit the game winning shot in the 1992 NCAA Eastern Regional final. Although O’Neal was a two time Consensus NCAA First Team All-American (1991, 1992) his team lost in the second round of the 1992 NCAA Men’s Tournament. Laettner’s success in his college career is ultimately what guaranteed his positioning on the team.
As a non-american I always laugh when a baseball team or an NFL team claims to be a “world champion” cause there are no strong leagues outside USA or there is no league at all, so it doesn´t make any sense and it´s just a kinda silly statement, BUT when it comes to basketball I just take my hat off and bow cause an NBA champion is truly a world champion, cause basketball is a strong sport worldwide, with strong leagues and talented players, and even so, no nation comes even near the amount of talent that USA creates. I see these gods standing there an I get emotional even though I´m not american, but I am a sports fan.
Luckily I was blessed to be a high school player and then going to college on a basketball scholarship during the height of the Larry Byrd/ Magic Johnson rivalry….it fueled me so much competitively…watching those two……I definitely would put them in the top five….many may not, but just listening to these two takes me back to a beautiful time in my life…..1978(sophomore in h.s., played college ball 80 to 84, that was same time I started taking note of Michael Jordan)….right now top three for me! Thanks for posting this…Larry Byrd was hilarious!
…Larry and Magic you had your run but there is a new sheriff in town . -Michael Jordan. Magic is the most gracious dude I have ever seen. Perfect person to speak for everyone. Look like Laettner was not smiling. Too bad. That laugh that Magic had had me laughing. perusal clips of the 92 dream team on YouTube doesn’t do it justice. Glad I was able to watch real time 🙏👍❤️🤜🤛
im from Sydney Australia and i didnt know a whole heap about basketball untill now, im reading up on alot of it rewatching games learning the rules and how what everything means, and i absoloutley enjoy the ribbing these guys give one another and to have Johnson lead with larry and followed by michael this is what you call respect. for me from what ive researched about the game and players and stats and how everything has gone down MICHAEL JORDON is the absolute GOAT of the NBA nobody and i mean nobody comes close to him. you ask a person like me who doesnt know the game about NBA first thing theyl say to you is MICHAEL JORDON noone else but JORDON that alone should tell you hes the greatest.
Supremely artistic and dominant basketball from these guys, whose great chemistry was revealed briefly in this terrific clip. Great opening speech, great closing remarks, and Charles Barkley having forgotten his tie. 😂 Dignified and hilarious all at the same time. What an era of hoops. The TV coverage of this era was a rarely mentioned boost to the success of these two decades and into the new century. Both CBS and NBC had classic intro music. At CBS, Dick Stockton and Brent Musburger did the play-by-play while Billy Cunningham and Hubie Brown did the color commentary. NBC had great play-by-play voices that included Dick Enberg and Bob Costas who sat alongside retired greats such as Magic, Bill Walton, and Isaiah Thomas, plus a collection of former coaches. But the best announcer combo ever was the great Marv Albert and the “Czar of the Telestrator,” Mike Fratello. Ensuing years gave us the TNT studio combo of Ernie Jones, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal—whose interactions were superior to the quality of the games they covered. What a gift to have been alive to witness and absorb it all.