Magic Johnson

Magic Won the NBA Championship and Finals MVP at Age 20

Magic Johnson Fun Fact 5 min read

In 1980, at just 20 years old, Magic Johnson scored 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists in Game 6 of the Finals after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured and couldn't play, temporarily switching to center position. He helped the Lakers win the championship and became the youngest Finals MVP in NBA history. Even more astonishingly, this was Magic's rookie season. In his first year, he reached heights that many players never achieve in their entire careers, fully demonstrating his talent and basketball IQ.

More Details

  • Magic Johnson stands 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall but played point guard, which was unprecedented at that time
  • In his rookie season, he averaged 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, showing all-around ability
  • In Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, Magic stood at center position for the opening tip-off, which was unique in NBA history
  • He won 5 championship rings in his career, all with the Lakers
  • Magic is one of the NBA's all-time assist leaders, with 10,141 assists in his career
  • He was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and forced to retire early, but later returned to the court after treatment
  • Magic made a brief comeback in 1996, helping the Lakers reach the playoffs, demonstrating his legendary status
  • He was the core of the "Showtime" Lakers, leading the team to create a glorious dynasty in the 1980s
  • The rivalry between Magic and Larry Bird is considered one of the greatest in NBA history
  • In the 1987 Finals, he hit a "junior skyhook" to beat the Celtics, one of the most iconic moments in NBA history
  • Magic is the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP in his rookie season
  • His passing skills are called "magic," often delivering unexpected assists
Tip

Talent combined with basketball IQ can achieve greatness even at a young age.

"At just 20 years old, Magic reached heights that many players never achieve in their entire careers."

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