Magic Johnson has been a staple of the NBA since his arrival as a Los Angeles Laker in 1979. The 63-year-old redefined the role of a point guard, with his dazzling skills and outrageous dimes for his teammates.
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During his NBA career, Johnson has picked up five NBA championships. He was integral to the Lakers picking up the five titles as he was also awarded the ‘NBA Finals MVP’ accolade for three of his performances in the NBA Finals.
Magic Johnson was a pioneer in the manner in which he approached the game. While a great many players centered their games around the art of scoring, Johnson cemented himself as an all-round force, with his forte lying in running the offense.
Albeit, he was regarded as a serial winner, Johnson has faced his own share of defeats. The most substantial being the 1984 Finals loss to arch-rival, Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.
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Magic Johnson once revealed he was devastated after the 1984 Finals loss!
For someone who had dominated his competition time in time out, Johnson’s 1984 playoff woes, are conceivably the lowest moment of his playoff career.
The Los Angeles Lakers were in a governing position to take a commanding ‘3-1’ series lead against Bird and the Celtics. However, a couple of late mishaps from Magic Johnson led to them being unable to shut out the Celtics.
In fact, Johnson fumbled two clutch free throws, which resulted in fans labeling him as ‘Tragic’ Johnson. Nonetheless, they managed to force the series into the seventh game, where Johnson committed another costly turnover, that all but sealed their fate.
His close friend, Isiah Thomas recalled the time when he witnessed Johnson breaking down following the loss. Speaking on an episode of ‘The Ringer: “Icons club”‘ podcast, Thomas revealed how childhood friend and former NBA player Mark Aguire spotted Johnson crying.
Thomas said:
“I’ll never forget that night where he laid literally in the bed just crying,” Thomas said. Mark [Aguirre] and I, we were in the room, we just sitting there. We ain’t never seen Magic Johnson fail.”
On the other hand, for Larry Bird, that was a moment of vindication for him. He overcame the strenuous challenge of beating his adversary to cement himself as the face of the NBA.
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Magic Johnson’s twilight years!
For the ordinary person, a loss as paramount as that would’ve left them unable to recuperate and continue playing at an elite level. Johnson, in lieu, returned with a mighty fury and vengeance upon his mind.
Magic Johnson returned the next season for the Lakers and averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in 77 games. It would also be the pinnacle of his career as he collected his third NBA championship that year.
Overcoming Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics en route to their title. He would go on to eclipse Bird’s championship tally when he clinched successive NBA championships in 1987 and 1988.
A true pathfinder of the sport, Johnson was!
