Magic Johnson

"I wanted to do two things when I was growing up, about your age. I wanted to play in the NBA, and I wanted to be a businessman after my basketball career was over, and that is what I am doing now." Magic Johnson is not only a great basketball team player, but a determined, positive, successful person. Johnson was born on August 14, 1959 in Lansing Michigan. He was well known for his basketball career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson was a player determined to always get better. Every day in high school he was up practicing at seven thirty in the morning. In 1991, Johnson had contracted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). That year he then announced his retirement, after accomplishing the winning of three NBA finals MVP.

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Magic Johnson's positive attitude separated him from all the other star players. Not all great players had great attitudes like Johnson did. He showed the true meaning of what being positive meant. "In 1991, Magic Johnson had contracted HIV (also known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and announced that he will be retiring from the NBA." (Brown, Valerie. "Magic Johnson." Great Lives From History: African Americans (2010): 40. Biography Reference Center. Web. 8 May 2012.) This hurt Magic very much knowing that his basketball career was over. Magic kept his head up and instead of doing nothing about his virus he ran additional charitable activities revolving around HIV/AIDS. Johnson didn't sit around and let happen what happened to him. He did would many other people wouldn't especially being in his position in his life. "Johnson later became a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS-prevention and safe sexual practices." (Jensen, Jeffry, and Jensen Jeffry. "Magic Johnson." Great Athletes (Salem Press) (2009): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2012.) Johnson learned from his mistake and just sitting there for Johnson wasn't an option. Johnson's positive attitude helped him fight through the HIV virus and come back and play through it. Johnson's positive attitude changed him as a person and helped him overcome many obstacles that people may consider impossible.

Magic Johnson's greatest ability was the determination he had for the game he loved to play.  Johnson spent much of his time trying to become a better basketball player. His sophomore college season at Michigan University, he led his team to win a Title against Larry Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores. "Johnson entered the NBA in 1979, after his sophomore year and was the number one pick drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers." (Brown, Valerie. "Magic Johnson." Great Lives From History: African Americans (2010): 40. Biography Reference Center. Web. 8 May 2012.) Johnson worked hard for this opportunity that can only come once in a life time. Being the number one pick going to the NBA barely ending his sophomore year of college takes more than just practicing, it's the determination that he put in making him a better player. Growing up was not easy for Johnson either. Having nine other brothers and sisters with not as wealthy parents was hard to live through for him. Magic Johnsons first NBA season was off the charts. He dominated on the court showing his skill and knowledge he had for the game. "In 1979, he did well in his first season with the team, averaging 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. Johnson won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for his efforts in leading the Lakers to victory over the Philadelphia 76ers." ( As Brown, Valerie. "Magic Johnson." Great Lives From History: African Americans (2010): 40. Biography Reference Center. Web. 8 May 2012.) As a rookie his stats were very good and encouraging to other players. Leading your team to the NBA finals, winning and earning Most Valuable Player in your first year of being in NBA show how hard work equals great results. Johnson's determination, dedication, and desire for the game rewarded him in being one of the best NBA players in history.

After Johnson retired he became successful in business, and still kept on working hard to show that nothing is impossible to accomplish in this world. After having a successful basketball career, he became a successful businessman.  "Magic served as a basketball analyst on television, and traveled around the world promoting basketball and social causes." (Jensen, Jeffry, and Jensen Jeffry. "Magic Johnson." Great Athletes (Salem Press) (2009): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2012.) He kept in touch with what he loved most by being an analyst on television. To this day he is an analyst and still shows love for the game. Magic also started another business of his own. He started a theatre chain in big cities. "Magic Johnson started a Theatre chain, which opened movie theaters in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, and Largo, Maryland." (Jensen, Jeffry, and Jensen Jeffry. "Magic Johnson." Great Athletes (Salem Press) (2009): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2012.) Along the way these theaters have become more successful over the years. Magic's theaters have become more popular now and are known especially because his hard work put into them. Magic felt that it was right to start businesses informing the world, letting people know the right from wrong, or the good from bad.

Magic Johnson was not only one of the best basketball players of all time, but a determined, positive, successful outgoing person demonstrating, his hard work equaling good results. His positive attitude changed his everyday life even while having HIV. He never thought of the bad things, he always looked for the good only. Johnson inspires me because he makes me think of all the things in life I should be grateful for and not worry so much about the little things. He also inspires me to become a more positive and helpful person to others. As Johnson once said, "Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates", this shows Johnson's unselfishness and how he put others before himself. As much hunger, and love Magic Johnson had for the game of basketball, there will never be another person, player, or teammate like him.

Works Consulted

Brown, Valerie. "Magic Johnson." Great Lives From History: African Americans (2010): 40. Biography Reference Center. Web. 8 May 2012.

Jensen, Jeffry, and Jensen Jeffry. "Magic Johnson." Great Athletes (Salem Press) (2009): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2012.

Magic Johnson" 2012. Biography.com 10 May 2012, 02:25

Magic Johnson." Great athletes (Salem press) (October 2001) :1213. Biography refrence center. EBSCO host accessed May 10, 2012