Comments on: Happy 50th Birthday Magic

By: Cash for Gold

Cash for Gold — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:00:26 +0000

Oh my!
I didnt realize that he was that old!

By: T. Rogers

T. Rogers — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:10:35 +0000

Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the reason I am a basketball fan. I still remember the first time I saw the Lakers at the Forum as a kid in 1982. Seeing Magic do his thing live is an experience I will never forget.

If someone had a time machine and offered me the chance to either go back and watch Jordan take someone off the dribble or Magic lead a fast break the choice would be easy. Seeing Magic lead the break is one of the greatest sights the NBA has ever produced.

Happy Birthday, Magic. You are still just as vibrant today as you were back in 1987.

By: deh

deh — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:16:36 +0000

Magic is simply THE REASON i am still a basketball and Laker fan.
I was seven when he announced he had HIV and cried when my dad explained what the deal was. Seeing him today smiling like he always did is awesome. More than a player, whom i consider the greatest of all-time (’cause its a team sport MJ!!), he is an idol to me as a person.

By: chearn

chearn — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:04:35 +0000

Another thing, too, Chris h , I will always think highly of Dr. Buss due to his handling of Magic post HIV announcement. He honored Magic’s contract gave him a 1-2% interest in the Lakers, then allowed Magic to return as a Laker player, thereby having to sell his interest in the team. Then when playing did not pan out, he tried his hand at coaching, unsuccessfully, and Dr. Buss once again allowed him to regain his ownership in the team.

Why did Dr. Buss conduct his business relationship with Magic in such a manner?

Of course, I do not know the machinations that occur behind the scene during contract negotiations, however, I have always thought that Dr. Buss takes care of the players that he considers to be the foundation of a championship.

Yes, my handle is in honor of Chick Hearn, the voice that allowed us to see the game over the airwaves of radio while we worked. Wow, there was no DVR, internet or cell phones then (truly, I am dating myself) so we lived the game through the ‘Voice’.

The Magic`could have used the player “Magic” during the championship game.

By: chris h

chris h — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:24:13 +0000

hey chearn, i want to give you credit too for that unbelievable era of the magic led Lakers, along with Chicky baby, the Forum, Jack N, etc etc etc. it was like a perfect storm of basketball all coming together at once.
I still recall exactly where I was and with who, when the aids announcement went out, what a shock.
then when Magic tries to come back, the other teams, especially Karl Malone and the oner of the Suns, protested loudest, because… they KNEW the Lakers led again by Magic, who still had a lot left in him, would be unstoppable that year.
Magic and that team, they way it was constructed, had at least a couple more rings left in them.
ahhh, what an era, fo’ sure!
(and name another player who has a TEAM named after him, huh??)

By: chearn

chearn — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:38:55 +0000

Happy Birthday, Magic Man. Do you believe in Magic? Old lyrics…I believed in Magic. Until Magic joined the league I never watched professional basketball. I was a college basketball fan–that’s not true, I was a UCLA fanatic!
I remember all of the hype that surrounded him when he came to the Lakers, he was only 19 yrs old.
I vividly remember the first game he played as a Laker and the jubilation at winning the game. The hug he gave Kareem at the buzzer.
I doubt if there will ever be another player like Earvin “Magic” Johnson!

Hands down my favorite player of all time, he’s the reason I follow basketball to this day! To me: THE GREATEST!!!

By: Snoopy2006

Snoopy2006 — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:49:25 +0000

Happy Bday, big guy.

I’ve never heard people talk about Magic’s defense (admittedly, because he was so damn awe-inspiring on the other end). For those who saw his entire career start to finish – how was his defense, overall?

By: Travis

Travis — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:28:55 +0000

eh Russels 9 titles to me is like Ruth’s 741 home runs. It was a different era. Same with Wilt. Back then nobody taller than 6’10” played ball except for Russel and Wilt.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:58:22 +0000

This might sound strange to some, but the only current player who I see throw those Magic quality thread-the-needle passes and cross court passes is that big nose Argentinian flopper Manu Ginobili.

9 Finals in 12 seasons. Incredible!

By: R

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:27:21 +0000

6 – oh yeah, I do agree that LBJ has a touch of Magic in his game …