Earvin+Johnson

Earvin "Magic" Johnson High School: Magic Johnson was born in August of 1959 in Lansing, Michigan. Magic got his nickname, "Magic", from high school. He won the state championship for his high school, Everett High School, in 1977. College: After high school, Magic enrolled to Michigan State University. In Magic's second year as a Spartan his team beat Larry Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores in the NCAA championship. He scored 24 points in that game and was named MVP. NBA Career: Magic Johnson was the first overall pick in the NBA draft and was picked by the Los Angeles Lakers. He became the first rookie ever to start in the NBA All-Star game and in his rookie season he won the NBA championship. Magic was also the youngest player to ever be named playoff MVP. The Los Angeles Lakers coach, Paul Westhead, was replaced by Pat Riley during the 1981-1982 season. In this season Magic Johnson and the Lakers won another championship with Magic winning the playoff MVP once again. The next time the Lakers won the NBA title was against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics in 1985. They also won in 1987 and repeated in 1988. In twelve years with the Lakers Magic was a twelve time all-star, three time playoff MVP, and five time NBA champion. He broke Oscar Robertson's assist record with 9,921 assists during the 1990-1991 season.

Magic Johnson discovered that he was a carrier of the HIV virus in 1991. Doctors told him to retire from basketball immediately to protect his health. He did retire but then came out of retirement in 1992 to play in the NBA All-Star game. Magic then joined the gold-medal-winning olympic "Dream Team" with Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. Many people were afraid that both Bird and Johnson would retire after that, but Magic announced his return to the NBA shortly before the 1992 season. After five preseason games Magic decided to stay healthy and retire once again.

Magic Johnson then became a part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. He later became a vice-president of the Lakers and head coached the team for the end of the 1992-1993 season. In 1996 Magic returned to the NBA and the Lakers to play, but he later announced a permanent retirement.

After Retirement: After retiring Magic Johnson became a businessman. Johnson has opened two movie theaters since 1995; the Magic Theatres in Los Angeles, California and another in Atlanta, Georgia. In September of 2002, Magic's doctors told him that he is free of AIDS symptoms. Since then Magic has become the owner of many Starbucks coffee shops, and started his own record company. In 2002 Magic Johnson was inducted to the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. In March of 2012, Magic Johnson became part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His group paid $2 billion dollars for the team.

--Magic Johnson at Everett High School--Magic Johnson at Michigan State University--Magic Johnson in the NBA with the LA Lakers

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Magic Johnson's HIV announcement in 1991.

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