Unbridled enthusiasm
Earvin grew up in Michigan and from his early days on, loved
basketball. He frequently went to bed early, waking up at 7:
30 to play basketball. According to his mother, he
showcased a great amount of enthusiasm in everything.
High School Motivation
In high school, he scored a triple-double and a local
sportswriter nicknamed him Magic. In his junior year, he
showed a lackluster work ethic on defense and his coach
threatened to relegate him to guarding the team’s pizza if
he did not improve. Johnson responded by working harder
and soon improved. Tragedy struck his team as his friend
was killed in a car accident. The team dedicated the
season to their friend and vowed to win the title in his
memory. They fulfilled their promise and won the title in
overtime.
Putting MSU on the map
Johnson was recruited to attend Michigan State University
near his home. He focused his studies on becoming a TV
commentator. As a freshman, he led the team to the Big
Ten Conference Title. The next season Johnson led MSU
to the NCAA championship, winning the final game against
a relatively unknown sharpshooter from Indiana State by the
name of Larry Bird.
Rookie fills in for legend
Johnson was drafted by the LA Lakers. He became the
starting point guard and helped lead the team to the
playoffs. In their first NBA Finals against Dr. J’s
Philadelphia 76ers, the Laker’s legendary center, Kareem
Abdul Jabbar went down to injury. In the final game,
Magic Johnson was moved from guard to replace Kareem at
center, and the rookie put on a breathtaking dominant
performance with scoring 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists
and 3 steals to lead the Lakers to the Championship.
The Lakers went on to become a dynasty with their up-
tempo fast-break showtime style, and dominated for much
of the decade as Magic became an idol and a household
name.
Shocking Announcement
In November 1991, after missing the first few games with an
unspecified ailment, Johnson made the shocking
announcement that he was infected with HIV and would
immediately retire. Johnson gave a grave but defiant
statement, stating that he was going to dedicate his life to
spreading the word about HIV prevention.
Fighting Fear and Ignorance
At one point, during an attempted comeback, many players
were wary and argued that Johnson would be a deadly risk
on the court. It should be noted that at this time, there
was tremendous ignorance, misinformation and fear
surrounding HIV. It was regarded as an isolated disease
among homosexuals and parts of Africa and universally
considered to be highly contagious and fatal.
Competing against an invisible foe
He was determined to defeat the disease and worked to
keep himself in tremendous physical condition and took
experimental medications. Like every other endeavor he
undertook, Johnson became the world’s most prominent HIV
survivor and an inspiration to millions.
Success in all walks of life
After his basketball career, Johnson engaged himself in a
plethora of new activities. He wrote a book on safe sex,
ran several businesses, worked as a TV network
commentator. When business experts said it couldn’t be
done, he built a successful chain of movie theaters in
minority areas of Los Angeles, and later expanded
nationwide. He has also become an advocate of economic
development in Harlem and opened the first Starbucks
Coffee there. He also embarked on a number of charity
ventures such as the Magic Johnson Foundation.
Earvin grew up in Michigan and from his early days on, loved
basketball. He frequently went to bed early, waking up at 7:
30 to play basketball. According to his mother, he
showcased a great amount of enthusiasm in everything.
High School Motivation
In high school, he scored a triple-double and a local
sportswriter nicknamed him Magic. In his junior year, he
showed a lackluster work ethic on defense and his coach
threatened to relegate him to guarding the team’s pizza if
he did not improve. Johnson responded by working harder
and soon improved. Tragedy struck his team as his friend
was killed in a car accident. The team dedicated the
season to their friend and vowed to win the title in his
memory. They fulfilled their promise and won the title in
overtime.
Putting MSU on the map
Johnson was recruited to attend Michigan State University
near his home. He focused his studies on becoming a TV
commentator. As a freshman, he led the team to the Big
Ten Conference Title. The next season Johnson led MSU
to the NCAA championship, winning the final game against
a relatively unknown sharpshooter from Indiana State by the
name of Larry Bird.
Rookie fills in for legend
Johnson was drafted by the LA Lakers. He became the
starting point guard and helped lead the team to the
playoffs. In their first NBA Finals against Dr. J’s
Philadelphia 76ers, the Laker’s legendary center, Kareem
Abdul Jabbar went down to injury. In the final game,
Magic Johnson was moved from guard to replace Kareem at
center, and the rookie put on a breathtaking dominant
performance with scoring 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists
and 3 steals to lead the Lakers to the Championship.
The Lakers went on to become a dynasty with their up-
tempo fast-break showtime style, and dominated for much
of the decade as Magic became an idol and a household
name.
Shocking Announcement
In November 1991, after missing the first few games with an
unspecified ailment, Johnson made the shocking
announcement that he was infected with HIV and would
immediately retire. Johnson gave a grave but defiant
statement, stating that he was going to dedicate his life to
spreading the word about HIV prevention.
Fighting Fear and Ignorance
At one point, during an attempted comeback, many players
were wary and argued that Johnson would be a deadly risk
on the court. It should be noted that at this time, there
was tremendous ignorance, misinformation and fear
surrounding HIV. It was regarded as an isolated disease
among homosexuals and parts of Africa and universally
considered to be highly contagious and fatal.
Competing against an invisible foe
He was determined to defeat the disease and worked to
keep himself in tremendous physical condition and took
experimental medications. Like every other endeavor he
undertook, Johnson became the world’s most prominent HIV
survivor and an inspiration to millions.
Success in all walks of life
After his basketball career, Johnson engaged himself in a
plethora of new activities. He wrote a book on safe sex,
ran several businesses, worked as a TV network
commentator. When business experts said it couldn’t be
done, he built a successful chain of movie theaters in
minority areas of Los Angeles, and later expanded
nationwide. He has also become an advocate of economic
development in Harlem and opened the first Starbucks
Coffee there. He also embarked on a number of charity
ventures such as the Magic Johnson Foundation.
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| The Future of Sports |
| "Change the Speed of the Game" |