Magic Johnson, a Hall of Famer, played for the Los Angeles Lakers during his entire NBA career. However, his career nearly ended when he demanded a trade in 1981. After a 26-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Johnson admitted to teammate Michael Cooper that he wasn’t having fun and needed a change. This conversation prompted him to publicly demand a trade from the Lakers on November 18, 1981. Rumors suggest that Lakers owner Jerry Buss had encouraged Johnson to request a trade to justify his firing, as this request came on the same night that Magic openly defied Westhead during a game.
Magic Johnson’s sudden trade demand changed everything for the Lakers, forcing the late Dr. Jerry Buss to fire Westhead just 18 months after coaching the team to a championship. The Lakers dominated the 1980s with five championships but only one title when Magic Johnson sent in a trade request. In real life, Johnson’s impromptu trade request occurred on November 18, 1981, after a game against the Utah Jazz.
Magic Johnson’s request was mostly requesting the trade for an excuse to fire Westhead and replace him with Jerry West and Pat Riley. The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the 1980s with five championships, but it was almost just one title when Magic Johnson sent in a trade request. Johnson played for the Lakers during the entirety of his NBA career, but his career nearly ended when he demanded a trade in 1981.
📹 Magic Johnson got Paul Westhead fired only a year after demanding the Lakers to extend his contract
Magicjohnson #showtimelakers #lakers #nba Website: https://www.basketballnetwork.net Facebook …
Did the Magic trade anyone?
The Orlando Magic have acquired the unprotected rights to swap their 2030 second-round draft pick and 2031 second-round pick from New Orleans for the draft rights to Antonio Reeves, according to President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman.
How old was magic in 88?
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr., was born on August 14, 1959, and is currently 65 years of age. He was born in Lansing, Michigan.
How is Magic so rich?
Magic Johnson, a Los Angeles Lakers point guard, has an estimated net worth of $1. 2 billion, according to Forbes. He is co-owner of the Sparks of the WNBA, the Los Angeles Dodgers of the MLB, and LAFC of the MLS, as well as having a minority stake in the NFL’s Washington Commanders. He also owns Starbucks coffee shops and TGI Friday’s restaurants, and has 60 shares of EquiTrust, an Iowa-based life insurance company that has assets of $16 billion in 2015 and is now on its way to $26 billion. He has joined an exclusive list of billionaire athletes, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
How did Magic Johnson get so rich?
In 2024, Magic Johnson’s net worth is estimated at $1. 2 billion, primarily derived from his equity interest in the Iowa-based life insurance provider EquiTrust, according to the Forbes list of billionaires. This figure is in addition to the considerable wealth he has accumulated from his successful basketball career and numerous business partnerships.
Who is the NBA black billionaire?
Forbes has recognized Magic Johnson as the fourth athlete to become a billionaire, with his net worth estimated at $1. 2 billion. Johnson, a basketball star who won a national championship with Michigan State in 1979 and five NBA titles with the Lakers, became a billionaire mainly through his business deals, following fellow retired NBA legend Michael Jordan, golfer Tiger Woods, and current Lakers star LeBron James.
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.
When did Penny leave magic?
Hardaway played in all 50 regular-season games during the 1999 season, leading the Orlando Magic to a share of the best Eastern Conference record. He averaged 15. 8 points, 5. 7 rebounds, 5. 3 assists, and 111 steals, placing him 5th in the league. However, the Magic lost a first-round series to the Philadelphia 76ers, resulting in Hardaway’s final season in Orlando. In the summer of 1999, Hardaway was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Danny Manning, Pat Garrity, and two future first round-draft picks. In 369 regular season games, Hardaway averaged 19 points, 6. 3 assists, 4. 7 rebounds, and 1. 9 steals per game.
Who is the only NBA billionaire?
Jordan, the wealthiest retired athlete globally, has a net worth of 1. 7 billion dollars, despite his successful basketball career.
What year did Magic come back?
In 1996, Magic Johnson resumed his participation in the National Basketball Association (NBA) after a four-year hiatus. During this period, he led the team, colloquially known as the “Lake Show,” and demonstrated to Latrell Sprewell the value of strategic thinking through an impressive display of ball handling.
Did Shaq play with Magic Johnson?
Orlando Magic player John O’Neal was drafted with the 1st overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He spent time in Los Angeles under Magic Johnson and was named Player of the Week in his first week in the NBA. During his rookie season, O’Neal averaged 23. 4 points on 56. 2 shooting, 13. 9 rebounds, and 3. 5 blocks per game. He was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to be voted an All-Star starter since Michael Jordan in 1985.
In 1993-94, O’Neal’s second season was under coach Brian Hill, and he improved his scoring average to 29. 4 points, leading the NBA in field goal percentage at 60. He recorded his first triple-double against the New Jersey Nets on November 20, 1993, and was voted into the All-Star game and made the All-NBA 3rd Team.
In 1994-95, O’Neal led the NBA in scoring with a 29. 3 point average, finishing second in MVP voting to David Robinson and entering his third straight All-Star Game along with Hardaway. They formed one of the league’s top duos and helped Orlando to a 57-25 record and the Atlantic Division crown.
The Magic won their first-ever playoff series against the Boston Celtics in the 1995 NBA Playoffs and defeated the Chicago Bulls in the conference semifinals. After beating Reggie Miller’s Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached the NBA Finals, facing the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets. O’Neal played well in his first Finals appearance, averaging 28 points on 59. 5 shooting, 12. 5 rebounds, and 6. 3 assists.
Why did Magic Johnson retire in 1996?
Johnson returned to the Lakers in 1996 after a four-year hiatus due to HIV. He played 32 regular-season games, averaging 14. 6 points, 5. 7 assists, and 4. 5 rebounds per contest. The Lakers secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and faced the reigning NBA champion Houston Rockets, but were eliminated in four games. Johnson played his final game with the Lakers on May 2, registering eight points, five rebounds, and five assists in 30 minutes. He decided against returning for another season.
📹 Aaron Gordon on requesting a trade from the Magic | NBA on ESPN
Aaron Gordon fields questions from the media and explains why he requested a trade from the Orlando Magic. #NBA 0:00 Aaron …
Big fan of Aaron Gordon and it has alot to do with how I felt like he was robbed a slam dunk contest crown. He went to highschool just miles from me and we gotta show this brother love. 1 thing which is a fact tho, is that he has not improved much of his game. His passing game for sure has improved and his strength. He is able to hit deep 3s more consistantly but thats where it stops. He hasnt been better on the defensive end and time and time again he has been inefficient. If he wants to go to a better team, his role will definitely lessin and he will face other frustrations with playing time. Get to that next level brother. We here to support you.
It’s weird, it feels like since Dwight they never decelerated to a point of being a lottery team, but also never looked like a semi-finalist. Same with pacers after PG, to become a contender in the modern NBA you have to start from the bottom up, like the Hawks, Suns and Celtics, the Lakers who stayed ok and signed free agents are an anomaly as they have the benefit of the LA market.
I have mix feelings about this. Stars ask for a trade all the time. But if you sign a contract. You should finish the contract first before moving on. Sign a smaller contract if you want to just try out a team before signing a bigger one. But I can understand his frustration. He gets older every year, don’t want to waste his talent. I blame Magic front office for their failure. Sorry Magic fans.
I don’t feel he has the right to be frustrated to be honest. He’s been in the league for seven seasons and hasn’t developed a consistent jumper. He’ll score 30 one game and go 10 start scoring 12 points. As a 4th overall selection I feel he needs to point the finger at himself as well. This is coming from a Magic fan.
I’m proud of Aaron for doing what’s best for his career. So many players waste their careers playing for the same team and never end up getting a ring. I hope Zach Lavine request a trade as well because he just doesn’t have enough talent on his team to win a ring and he works too hard to keep missing the playoffs every season.
This is becoming a problem for the NBA, players need to finish there contracts to keep the league balanced. Ratings are going to continue to go down because when ever these players get frustrated, they ask for a trade. The James harden justice league team was it for me smh. People talk about Lebron but he never broke a contract.
I don’t blame A.G for the request for trade, I blame the front office, and player development, you draft the same position and give out bogus contracts, since the Shaq error, we are in desperate need of stardom, vooch and T-Ross is great, Isaac and fultz has potential, but after that, the latter is very short… Fournier and Gordon should be on different teams, we weren’t really making any noise no time soon anyways, vooch needs help, go after McCollum or lavine, Draft better, player development needs improvement, mo bamba has been a complete bust so far and I can’t tell if it’s because he’s not getting the playing time or he’s just not developing as a player? So many things wrong with the front office, until that’s addressed I feel Orlando will never improve! And this is coming from a Magic Fan!
This young man needs to take some responsibility for the team’s situation. His performance since his contract extension has been disappointing. His being paid franchise player money and NOT playing Franchise player basketball. This generation seems to have no concept of resilience. When the going gets tough, the pack it in and look to ‘team up’. Man, you have your own team, your town, REP IT!!! WIN OR LOSE
As a Magic fan, I’m frustrated with losing at the championship level, the mediocre level, and the bottom feeder level. No chips ever for this franchise. They do not know how to win (period). I pray that one day they’ll “clean house” and get some people who really want to create a winning culture. The G League chip doesn’t count.
This dude has been so frustrating to watch…he’s what? In his 7th year? Blessed with all the gifts and yet he’s never been able to take the next step. No consistency either. Gordon lacks the mentally to be great. He’s not a first or second option. He could be great as a third or fourth option on a playoff team. The magic has been stuck in 8th seed purgatory for many reasons. We’re too good to be in the lottery. Not good enough to ever make a playoff run. Gordon never developed and injuries continue to plague the team. Futz was just turning things around this year before he got injured. We have yet to see what Isaac can do. And we trade away players that eventually became all stars on other teams – olidipo, sabonis, and Tobias Harris. I’m done with this guy, we need to dump Gordon, fournier, and Vuc and start from scratch. Those players aren’t taking us to the ship.