“Never Tried to Get All the Named Dudes”: Magic Johnson Reveals the Reason for Never Teaming Up With Michael Jordan

The story of Magic Johnson is one of extreme highs and extreme lows. Once the superstar who made the NBA famous, Magic unceremoniously retired from the league after being diagnosed with HIV. The abrupt end to his spectacular career pushed the 3-time MVP to his lowest. But he rose again, from the ashes of his debauch-fueled self, Magic became an awareness-spreading leader.

But before all of that, before it all came crashing down in 1991 before the Barcelona Olympics, Magic Johnson was the biggest name in the NBA alongside Larry Bird and Michael Jordan.

There was no comparison. These three reigned supreme, far above all other names. Yet, Magic never teamed up with a big superstar to build a super team. In a recent interview, he revealed the reason for it.

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Magic Johnson refused to team up with Michael Jordan

The 80s and 90s bred a generation of loyal athletes. This was the time when players stayed with their teams and rarely formed superteams. It was the era of Magics and Birds, not LeBrons and Durants.

In a recent interview, Johnson was asked why he never teamed up with Michael Jordan. He confessed an aversion to teaming up with big names. Magic Johnson claimed that it was anti-competition and made the game less interesting.

Magic: “No. I wasn’t like that. I never tried to get all the named dudes. That’s what makes sports special – competition. Go make it happen…if you the best”

Unlike his era, the gold and purples have drastically changed. The Lakers are now a superteam on paper with some of the biggest talents of the last decade. Yet, they are constantly losing.

It makes you think that Johnson was taking a dig at the latest Lakers superstar. LeBron James has been a frequent fan of superteams and big threes. From Miami to now the Lakers, he has done it a few times. But it seems Johnson isn’t a fan of all of that.

Magic was jealous of Michael Jordan

Magic and Michael Jordan had the utmost respect for each other. They both recognized the greatness in each other. But at the same time, Johnson was terribly jealous of MJ because of his Nike deal.

You see, Johnson thought of himself as the biggest name in the NBA. When Michael, a rookie, got the incredible Nike deal, Magic couldn’t digest it. From that moment on, he was jealous of MJ and often taunted the Bulls legend about his shoe deal.

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