Magic Johnson timeline
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Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is Born
Earvin Johnson Jr. was born to Earvin Sr., a General Motors assembly worker, and Christine, a school custodian. Johnson grew up in Lansing,... Read more
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Magic Johnson Enrolls at Michigan State University
Although Johnson was recruited by several top-ranked colleges such as Indiana and UCLA, he decided to play close to home.[ He initially wanted to... Read more
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1979 NCAA Basketball Championship: Magic Johnson of Michigan State defeats Larry Bird of Indiana State
Last Monday night, in the championship game, Michigan State confirmed a notion that had been gaining credence as the NCAA tournament progressed and... Read more
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Los Angeles Lakers Select Magic Johnson with the No. 1 Draft Pick
After two years in college, during which he averaged 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, Johnson declared himself eligible for the... Read more
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1980 NBA Finals - Lakers Defeat 76ers
The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1979–80 NBA season. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the league's MVP. But in a... Read more
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Magic Johnson Signs 25-year $25 Million Contract with Lakers
During the off-season, Johnson signed a 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers, which was the highest-paying contract in sports history up... Read more
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1982 NBA Finals - Lakers Defeat 76ers
The 1982 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1981-82 NBA season, the top level of competition in men's professional... Read more
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1985 NBA Finals - Lakers Defeat Celtics
The 1985 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1984–85 NBA season. The Boston Celtics were looking to repeat as NBA... Read more
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Magic Johnson Named League MVP
Johnson again averaged a double-double in the 1985–86 NBA season, with 18.8 points, 12.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. The Lakers advanced to... Read more
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1987 NBA Finals - Lakers Defeat Celtics
The 1987 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1986-87 NBA season. The match took place between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston... Read more
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1988 NBA Finals - Lakers Defeat Pistons
The 1988 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1987–88 NBA season. One of Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley's most famous moments... Read more
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Magic Johnson Named League MVP
In the 1988–89 NBA season, Johnson's 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game earned him his second MVP award, and the Lakers reached... Read more
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Magic Johnson Announces He is HIV+ and Retires From Basketball
After a physical before the 1991–92 NBA season, Johnson discovered that he had tested positive for HIV. In a press conference held on November 7,... Read more
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Magic Johnson Takes Over as Head Coach for Lakers
He returned to the NBA as coach of the Lakers near the end of the 1993–94 NBA season, replacing Randy Pfund. After losing five of six games,... Read more
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Magic Johnson Returns to Playing for the Lakers
He returned to the NBA as coach of the Lakers near the end of the 1993–94 NBA season, replacing Randy Pfund. After losing five of six games,... Read more
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Magic Johnson Final Retirement
May 14, 1996: Final retirement. Finished regular season with averages of 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. Lakers are eliminated... Read more