Amanda Knapp
Magic Johnson, born Earvin Johnson Jr., is an American former basketball player who led the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA to five championship wins. Johnson shocked the basketball world when he announced his HIV-positive status and retired from the NBA in 1991. However, he returned to the NBA on several occasions, including a four-year comeback from 1992 to 1996 and again in 2011. Johnson's illustrious career spanned three decades and solidified his place as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First retirement year | 1991 |
| Reason for first retirement | Announcement that he was HIV-positive |
| Comeback | 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award |
| Second retirement year | 1992 |
| Reason for second retirement | Protests against his return from fellow players |
| Third retirement year | 1996 |
| Reason for third and final retirement | Retired on his own terms |
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What You'll Learn
Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. shocked the world when he announced he was HIV-positive in 1991. Johnson, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, became one of the sport's greatest players, leading the Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s and winning the league's MVP award three times. However, after a physical before the 1991-92 season, he learned that he had tested positive for HIV and subsequently made the news public, announcing his immediate retirement from basketball.
At the time, HIV had become an epidemic and was considered a death sentence. Johnson's announcement served as a public health catalyst, rapidly correcting the public's understanding of who was at risk of infection. There was a large but temporary increase in the number of AIDS diagnoses for heterosexual men following Johnson's announcement, particularly in areas with greater prior exposure to him. These men were more likely to have been diagnosed through formal blood tests and less likely to die within a decade of their initial diagnosis, suggesting that Johnson's announcement prolonged patients' lifespans by providing earlier access to medical care.
Johnson himself has credited Dr Anthony Fauci, a leading AIDS researcher, with helping him cope with his diagnosis. Johnson believes he contracted the virus through unprotected sex, contrary to false claims circulating on social media that he got it from a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine. Johnson has also become a high-profile advocate for HIV awareness and prevention, and medication has helped keep his HIV at an undetectable level. He has never developed AIDS.
Despite his initial retirement announcement, Johnson returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. However, due to protests from fellow players, he retired again for four years before making another comeback in 1996 at the age of 36, playing 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time. Johnson has since expressed that he wishes he had never retired after his HIV diagnosis, stating that he "didn't want to hurt the game." During his retirement, Johnson has advocated for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex, as well as pursuing entrepreneurial and broadcasting endeavours.
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Johnson's 1992 Olympic gold
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr., often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time, abruptly retired from the NBA in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV. However, he returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. In the same year, Johnson was chosen to compete in the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics for the U.S. national team, dubbed the "'Dream Team' due to the NBA stars on the roster. Johnson served as the co-captain of this team, which included fellow Hall of Famers such as Bird, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley.
The Dream Team was considered unbeatable, and they dominated the Olympic competition, winning the gold medal with an 8-0 record and beating their opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game. Johnson averaged 8.0 points per game during the Olympics, and his 5.5 assists per game were the second-highest on the team. Despite his impressive performance, Johnson played infrequently due to knee problems. However, he received standing ovations from the crowd and used his platform to inspire HIV-positive people.
Johnson's participation in the 1992 Olympics was particularly notable because it occurred after he had publicly announced his HIV-positive status. This made him one of the first prominent athletes to continue competing at the highest level while living with HIV. Johnson's openness about his diagnosis and his decision to return to basketball helped to reduce the stigma associated with the disease and inspired others living with HIV.
After the Olympics, Johnson returned to the NBA as a coach for the Lakers during the 1993-94 season. However, he expressed a desire to return to playing, which sparked controversy and opposition from some active players. Ultimately, Johnson retired again before the start of the 1993-94 NBA season, citing that he "didn't want to hurt the game." During his retirement, Johnson remained active, writing a book on safe sex, running businesses, working as a commentator, and touring with a basketball team of former college and NBA players.
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Johnson's career achievements
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. Johnson played as a point guard, shooting guard, and power forward, and spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Johnson is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time.
Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" at 15 when he recorded a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists as a sophomore at Everett. After the game, sports writer Fred Stabley Jr. gave him the moniker. In his final high school season, Johnson led Everett to a 27–1 win–loss record while averaging 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game. Johnson then went on to win a national championship with the Michigan State Spartans in 1979 before being selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers.
Johnson led the Lakers to five NBA championships during their "Showtime" era. Johnson was honoured as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He is a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, first enshrined in 2002 for his individual career and again in 2010 as a member of the Dream Team. Johnson is the only player in NBA history to average at least 20 PPG and 12 APG in two seasons. He was also a nine-time All-NBA First Team selection from 1982 to 1991.
Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV. However, he returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. Johnson then retired again for four years due to protests against his return from fellow players. He made another comeback in 1996, at age 36, playing 32 games for the Lakers before retiring permanently. During his retirement, Johnson has worked as a broadcaster and advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex.
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Johnson's post-retirement career
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. retired from the NBA in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV. However, he returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. Johnson then retired again in 1992 due to protests against his return from fellow players, before making another comeback in 1996 at the age of 36, playing 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time.
Since his retirement, Johnson has pursued a variety of endeavours. He has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex, writing a book on the latter topic. Johnson has also been an entrepreneur and broadcaster, working as a commentator for NBC and pursuing various business interests. He purchased a share of the Lakers in 1994 and became a part-owner. In 1995, he opened a chain of movie theatres in minority neighbourhoods in Los Angeles, later expanding to other cities. Johnson has also been a philanthropist and motivational speaker, creating "A Midsummer Night's Magic", a yearly charity event featuring a celebrity basketball game.
In addition to his off-court pursuits, Johnson has maintained a connection to basketball. He formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team composed of former NBA and college players, which travelled the world playing exhibition games in Asia, Australia, Israel, South America, Europe, New Zealand, and Japan. Johnson has also held management positions in sports, serving as the president of basketball operations for the Lakers in the late 2010s before stepping down in 2019. He is a founding member of Guggenheim Baseball Management, which manages MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, and is part of ownership groups for several other sports franchises, including the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, MLS' Los Angeles FC, and the NFL's Washington Commanders.
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Johnson's multiple retirements
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a former professional basketball player who spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Johnson is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time, leading the Lakers to five NBA championships during their "Showtime" era.
In 1996, Johnson returned to the Lakers at the age of 36, playing in 32 games before retiring for the third time. He considered returning for the 1996-97 season but ultimately decided to retire permanently, stating that he wanted to go out on his terms. Johnson's final retirement from the NBA as a player came on May 14, 1996, bringing an end to his illustrious 13-year career.
Despite retiring, Johnson has remained involved with the Lakers and the NBA. He served as the Lakers' interim coach during the 1993-94 season and was a minority owner of the franchise from 1994 to 2010. Johnson was also named the team's president of basketball operations in 2017, showcasing his continued influence and impact on the organisation even after his playing career.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic Johnson first retired from basketball in 1991 after announcing that he was HIV-positive.
Yes, Johnson returned to basketball in 1992 to participate in the All-Star Game and the Barcelona Olympic Games. He also returned to the NBA in 1996, at age 36, to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring permanently.
Since his retirement, Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex, as well as a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, broadcaster, and motivational speaker. He has also remained involved with the Lakers organization, serving as the team's president of basketball operations from 2017 to 2019.
