Happy 66th Birthday to Earvin “Magic” Johnson
- Jake C
- Aug 14
- 12 min read
Cover photo: Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers finger rolls the ball over the Philadelphia 76ers’ Darryl Dawkins during the 1980 NBA Finals in Philadelphia.
One of the best players the game of basketball has ever seen celebrates a birthday on August 14 as Magic Johnson turns 66.
Lansing, Michigan’s Earvin Johnson wasn’t just your average basketball player. A 6 foot, 8 inch point guard as a high-schooler, Earvin was so good that he earned a moniker that would replace his given name as his first reference from media and fans forevermore.
Playing for Everett High School, Johnson at 15 years old had a game of 36 points, 18 rebounds, 16 assists, and 10 steals for the Vikings. Local sportswriter Fred Stabley Jr. of the Lansing State Journal after the game while interviewing Johnson referred to him as “Magic”, and there it went.
As a senior at Everett, Johnson posted 28 points and 16 rebounds per game. His team went 27-1 and won the state championship.
In his 1977-78 freshman season at Michigan State, Johnson averaged 17.0 points (45.6%), 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in 30 games. As a sophomore, he played 32 games and averaged 17.1 points (46.8%), 8.4 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. Both assist figures led the nation. Johnson was a consensus All-American as a senior and was the 1979 NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, following the Spartans’ 75-64 win in the title game over Larry Bird and Indiana State. In the Final, Johnson posted 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists on 8-of-15 from the field while making 8-of-10 free-throws.
To determine who would select No. 1 in the 1979 NBA Draft, a coin flip was held between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers won the flip, and took Johnson No. 1, landing them their cornerstone for the next decade-plus.
The ‘78-‘79 Lakers coached by Jerry West won 47 games and lost in five games in the Western Conference Semifinals to the Seattle SuperSonics. Norm Nixon was the Lakers’ 23-year-old point guard who averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds, in 82 games. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, a NBA-leading 4.0 blocks) was the team’s superstar.
Jack McKinney coached the ‘79-‘80 Lakers to 10 wins and 4 losses from outset, while Paul Westhead took over for him and coached the team to a 50-18 mark. The team’s 115.1 points per game was second in the league.
Nixon, playing point, averaged 17.6 points and 7.8 assists. Kareem averaged 24.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.4 blocks. Jamaal Wilkes averaged an even 20 points per game. Johnson, playing shooting guard, produced a season that allowed him to finish second in Rookie of the Year voting - 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.4 steals, 53% from the field, 36.3 minutes per game in 77 games.
“Here comes the 20-year-old rookie down the middle….and the Most Valuable Player is Magic Johnson. He starts at center, plays forward and guard.”
The rookie season of Magic Johnson, one in which he produced five triple-doubles in the playoffs, is encapsulated in those above lines from play-by-play announcer Brent Musberger.
With Abdul-Jabbar unable to play in Game 6 of the ‘80 Finals against the 76ers, Johnson’s assurance on the team bus of “Never fear, Magic is here” was met with understandable skepticism from his own teammates. No fear was needed as it turned out, as Magic’s splendid performance of 42 points (14-of-23), 15 rebounds, and 7 assists in 47 minutes in the Lakers’ 123-107 win sealed the championship.
Notable Magic Johnson Games in 1980 Playoffs
Game 1 vs. PHX: 13 points (4-of-12 FG), 16 assists, 12 rebounds, 39 mins
Game 2: 25 points (6-of-11 FG, 12-of-14 FT), 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 6 steals, 48 mins
Game 5: 19 points (8-of-14 FG), 11 assists, 7 rebounds, 38 mins
Game 1 vs. SEA: 19 points (7-of-10 FG), 9 assists, 8 rebounds, 36 mins
Game 2: 19 points (6-of-11 FG), 9 assists, 6 steals, 5 rebounds, 37 mins
Game 3: 14 points (4-of-15 FG), 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 43 mins
Game 4: 15 points (6-of-15 FG), 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, 41 mins
Game 5: 20 points (9-of-14 FG), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 41 mins
Game 1 vs. PHI: 16 points (8-of-12 FG), 10 assists, 9 rebounds, 40 mins
Game 2: 13 points (5-of-8 FG), 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 41 mins
Game 3: 16 points (6-of-12 FG), 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 44 mins
Game 4: 28 points (10-of-14 FG), 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 45 mins
Game 5: 14 points (4-of-13 FG), 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 39 mins
Game 6: 42 points (14-of-23 FG, 14-of-14 FT), 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 47 mins
In his second season, Johnson managed just 37 games due to a torn left knee that occurred on November 11, 1980 against the Atlanta Hawks. The 21-year-old in those thirty-seven games averaged 21.6 points (53.2%), 8.6 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and an NBA best 3.4 steals in 37.1 minutes per game. Because of the injury, Johnson missed the all-star game for the only time in his primary run as a Laker (he returned to the team for the ‘95-‘96 season, starting nine of 32 games played). The ‘80-‘81 Lakers won 54 games under Westhead, and lost two games to one in the first round against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers’ 114.6 points per game in ‘81-‘82 was the second best in the NBA, as the team was coached by Westhead for the first eleven games (7-4) and Pat Riley (50-21). Magic was back, playing 38.3 minutes per game in 78 games. He averaged a near triple-double of 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 9.5 assists, with 2.7 steals (1st in the league). He shot 53.7% from the field and made 2nd team All-NBA, while Abdul-Jabbar led the team with 23.9 points (8.7 rebounds). The Lakers won the ‘82 championship, again over the 76ers in six games. Preceding the championship series were sweeps over the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. Johnson registered 14 assists in Game 1 of the Finals and 13 assists in the clinching Game 6. He averaged 16.2 points (53.3%), 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.5 steals in the series.
For the final nine seasons of Johnson’s career, he never finished lower than third in MVP voting and led the NBA in assists four out of five seasons that spanned from ‘82-‘83 to ‘86-‘87.
His first assist title (10.5 per contest) came in ‘82-‘83, a season in which he also averaged 16.8 points (54.8%, 11.8 FGA), 8.6 rebounds, and 2.2 steals. He played 36.8 minutes per game in 79 games, finished third in MVP voting and made 1st team All-NBA. The Lakers won 58 games, and had the league’s second highest scoring offense at 115.0 per game. They disposed of the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the first round and defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in the Western Conference Finals. Johnson averaged 19.0 points, 12.5 assists, and 7.8 rebounds in 44.8 minutes per game in the Finals, 4-0 loss to the 76ers.
Ahead of the ‘83-‘84 season, Nixon was dealt to the San Diego Clippers, clearing the way for Johnson as the conductor of Showtime. He was again 1st team All-NBA for the second consecutive season of what would be nine consecutive first team nods. He also garnered another third place MVP finish, posting averages of 17.6 points (56.5%, 11.6 FGA), 13.1 assists (career-high), 7.3 rebounds, and 2.2 steals in 67 games in 38.3 minutes per game.
The Lakers won 54 games, and had the fourth-highest scoring offense in the NBA at 115.6 points per contest. After a 3-0 sweep of the Kansas City Kings, a 4-1 Conference Semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, and a 4-2 Conference Final win over the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers met the Celtics in the Finals for the first time in the ‘80s - Magic and Bird dueling again on the biggest stage.
Johnson made 56.0% of his field-goal attempts in the series in 42.1 minutes, and averaged 18.0 points, 13.6 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 steals. Still, the label of “Tragic Magic” befell Johnson, as he was poked by Celtic fans for late game missteps that included not getting a shot off in the final seconds of regulation of Game 2 in Boston with the score tied at 113. In Game 4, with a 113-113 tie score, Johnson threw the ball away looking for James Worthy. In overtime of the game, he missed two free-throws that preceded Bird at the other end hitting a jump shot over Johnson to give the Celtics the lead in the game. If social media had been around then, critics would have tickled themselves with what they could have written in 140 characters.
No matter, though, as in ‘85 the Lakers would get the Celtics back. Showtime won 62 games, had the second highest scoring offense in the NBA at 118.2 points, swept the Suns in the first round, defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in five in the second round, and bested the Denver Nuggets in five in the Conference Finals. Johnson for the season posted 18.3 points (56.1%, 11.7 FGA), 12.6 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 36.1 minutes in 77 games. He made 1st team All-NBA and finished second to Bird in MVP voting.
Magic Johnson Stats in 1985 NBA Finals (4-3 LAL)
Game 1: 19 points (8-of-14), 12 assists, 3 steals, 34 mins
Game 2: 14 points (6-of-9), 13 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 41 mins
Game 3: 17 points (6-of-13), 16 assists, 9 rebounds, 39 mins
Game 4: 20 points (5-of-12, 10-of-11 FT), 12 assists, 11 rebounds, 43 mins
Game 5: 26 points (11-of-20), 17 assists, 6 rebounds, 42 mins
Game 6: 14 points (5-of-15), 14 assists, 10 rebounds, 36 mins
In Game 3 of the series against the Trail Blazers, Johnson posted 13 points, 23 assists, and 7 rebounds. He had three games of 19 assists throughout the playoffs.
Johnson in ‘85-‘86, like he did two years prior, was third in MVP voting. His season averages were 18.8 points (52.6%, 12.8 FGA), 12.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds in 35.8 minutes in 72 games. The Lakers won 62 games, and the Showtime offense led the NBA at 117.3 per game. The team swept the San Antonio Spurs in the first round and defeated the Mavericks in six games in the Conference Semifinals but lost to the Rockets four games to one in the Conference Finals. Every playoff game for Magic except for one was a double-double, and three times he recorded a triple-double.
Notable Magic Johnson Games in 1986 Playoffs
Game 1 vs. SAS: 13 points (6-of-9 FG), 18 assists, 33 mins
Game 2: 30 points (13-of-19 FG), 13 assists, 37 mins
Game 3: 14 points (4-of-6 FG), 17 assists, 10 rebounds, 32 mins
Game 1 vs. DAL: 16 points (6-of-10 FG), 14 assists, 7 rebounds, 31 mins
Game 2: 21 points (7-of-13 FG), 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 32 mins
Game 3: 18 points (8-for-20 FG), 14 assists, 41 mins
Game 4: 29 points (11-of-21 FG), 15 rebounds, 14 assists, 43 mins
Game 5: 29 points (10-of-18 FG, 9-of-9 FT), 14 assists, 7 rebounds, 42 mins
Game 6: 21 points (5-of-14 FG, 11-of-13 FT), 17 assists, 6 rebounds, 43 mins
Game 1 vs. HOU: 26 points (9-of-15 FG), 18 assists, 7 rebounds, 41 mins
Game 2: 24 points (7-of-14 FG, 10-of-12 FT), 19 assists, 8 rebounds, 43 mins
Game 3: 17 points (6-of-11 FG), 20 assists, 8 rebounds, 45 mins
Game 4: 20 points (9-of-18 FG), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 46 mins
Game 5: 24 points (9-of-17 FG), 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 32 mins
In the ‘86-‘87 season, Johnson played a career-high 80 games and tallied 23.9 points (52.2%, 16.4 FGA), 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game in 36.3 minutes per game. He won his first of three MVP awards, as the Lakers won 65 games. The Lakers, whose 117.8 points per game was the second best average across the Association, swept the Nuggets in the first round, took care of the Golden State Warriors in five in the second round, and swept the Seattle SuperSonics in the Conference Finals, setting up a date with the Celtics. Magic, 26.2 points, 13.0 assists, and 8.0 rebounds, was named Finals’ MVP. In Games 3, 4, and 5, he scored 32, 29, and 29 points. His numbers outdid Bird’s series averages of 24.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. Johnson’s baby hook shot in the lane over Kevin McHale and Robert Parish in the waning seconds of Game 4 - a shot that gave the Lakers a 3-1 series lead - is one of the most iconic shots in NBA history.
The ‘87-‘88 Lakers won 62 games, had the fifth-best offense (112.8 points per game) in the NBA, and repeated as champions with a 4-3 Finals’ triumph over the Detroit Pistons. On their way there, the team swept the Spurs 3-0 in the first round and defeated the Utah Jazz and the Mavericks in seven games. James Worthy was Finals’ MVP, but Magic put up 21.1 points (55.0% FG), 13.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in 41.4 minutes. In the regular season, Johnson registered 19.6 points (49.2%, 13.8 FGA), 11.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in 36.6 minutes in 72 games. His production was good for a third-place MVP finish.
In six of the seven Finals’ games, Johnson recorded a double-double. In all seven games of the Conference Finals, he registered a double-double. Six of his ten games over the first two rounds also concluded in him registering a double-double. In the 108-105 Laker Game 7 win over the Pistons, Johnson made 6-of-9 from the field and 7-of-8 from the line for 19 points, 14 assists, and 5 rebounds.
Johnson won his final two MVP awards back-to-back, in 1988-89 and 1989-90.
Magic Johnson’s Stats in Last Two MVP Seasons
1988-89: 22.5 points (50.9%, 14.8 FGA), 12.8 assists, 7.9 rebounds, 37.7 mins, 77 games
1989-90: 22.3 points (48.0%, 14.4 FGA), 11.5 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 37.2 mins, 79 games
The ‘88-‘89 Lakers won 57 games, their 114.7 points per game fifth-best in the NBA. The team swept their way to the Finals. In the Finals though, Johnson was hindered by a hamstring injury. He began the ‘89 playoffs with games of 30 points, 16 assists, and 7 rebounds and 35 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds, and had 21 points, 20 assists, and 6 rebounds in Game 4 of the Conference Finals against the Suns. He registered 17 points, 14 assists, and 5 rebounds in Game 1 of the Finals and 18 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds in 29 minutes in Game 2 before finally being unable to continue due to the hamstring in Game 3, playing only five minutes in the game.
In Magic’s last MVP season, the Lakers went 63-19, with the sixth-highest scoring offense (110.7). They defeated the Rockets three games to one in the first round but fell to the Suns four games to one in the Conference Semifinals.
The Lakers returned to the Finals in ‘91, as Magic posted 19.4 points (47.7%, 12.4 FGA), 12.5 assists, and 7.0 rebounds in the regular season in 37.1 minutes in 79 games. He finished second in MVP voting behind Michael Jordan. Under new head coach Mike Dunleavy, the Lakers went 58-24. Worthy’s 21.4 points per game (All-NBA 3rd team) led, while Byron Scott (14.5 points), Sam Perkins (13.5 points), and Vlade Divac (11.2 points) also finished in double-figures. The Lakers swept the Rockets in three games in the first round, defeated the Warriors in five in the second round, and defeated the Blazers in six games in the Conference Finals to set up a date with Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
After winning Game 1, the Lakers lost four consecutive. Magic, however, was still strong in his last Finals’ appearance - 18.6 points, 12.4 assists, 8.0 rebounds in 45.6 minutes.
On November 7, 1991, Johnson, 32 years old and ahead of what would have been his 13th NBA season, abruptly had to retire due to his HIV diagnosis. It was an unprecedented situation for an athlete of his magnitude especially at a time when HIV was such an unknown. Johnson had been a durable player throughout his career, playing 874 games and only missing the extended time in his second season. In his brief comeback in the ‘95-‘96 season, he played 29.9 minutes per game in 32 games (nine starts) and averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds on 46.6% shooting (9.2 attempts per game).
Before that though, Johnson played in the ‘92 All-Star Game in Orlando, making 9-of-12 shots and all three of his long range attempts in 29 minutes, scoring 25 points with 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. He was named game MVP. That summer, he played 18.0 minutes per game in six games with The Dream Team, putting up 8.0 points and 5.5 assists per game while wearing No. 15.
Over his 906 career games, Johnson averaged 19.5 points (52.0%, 13.2 FGA), 11.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game in 36.7 minutes per game. On February 16, 1992, Magic’s No. 32 was retired by the Lakers. In 1998, he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2002, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. The Dream Team was inducted into the Naismith Hall in 2010.
Said Riley of Johnson in 2017, “He’s the greatest player of all-time.”
More than just a great player, Johnson revolutionized the sport, creating the archetype for the big guard that is seen today. Before he came into the NBA, 6 foot, 9 inch players were post players. Johnson was a perimeter player who did it so well that he is widely regarded as the best point guard in NBA history and the best passer in NBA history. Those statements are not hyperbole.
Another statement that is no exaggeration is that Magic Johnson and Larry Bird changed the NBA, bringing excitement and a cross-coast rivalry that the league needed, resurrecting the most storied rivalry in the league. There are many who credit Michael Jordan for the boom in the league’s popularity in the ‘90s, and rightfully so, but Magic and Bird were the cause that allowed that to happen. Two electrifying players - one on the rugged east and the other on the glamorous west.
Simply put, none of what you see today happens without one Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Happy 66th, Magic.
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