Johnson was known for his flashy style of play, often making spectacular passes and no-look shots. He was a master of the fast break, leading the Lakers to four NBA championships in the 1980s. He was also a great defender, often guarding the opposing team's best player.
Off the court, Johnson was a leader in the community. He founded the Magic Johnson Foundation, which works to improve the lives of inner-city youth. He also became a successful businessman, owning movie theaters, restaurants, and a record label.
Johnson was forced to retire in 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV. He returned to the NBA in 1996 as a coach and part-owner of the Lakers. He also served as a commentator for the NBA on NBC and was a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Magic Johnson's legacy is one of greatness. He was a leader on and off the court, and his impact on the game of basketball will never be forgotten. He is a true basketball legend and will always be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time.
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In this clip, John Salley explained where the origin of the perceived beef between Michael...
John Salley: Magic, Not Jordan, was the Reason Isiah Thomas Didn't Make the Dream Team / In this clip, John Salley explained where the origin of the perceived beef between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas started. According to John, it was sparked by Isiah's nephew wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey which made Isiah develop a certain disdain for the Bulls. But John explained further that it wasn't personal. He also said that the story of MJ keeping Isiah off the Dream Team was a myth and in fact, it was Magic Johnson's doing which kept him from making the Olympic squad.
Later on, John Salley talked about the Bulls becoming a force only after Scottie Pippen assumed more responsibility and that the narrative around the "Bad Boys" of the Detroit Pistons was started by Phil Jackson.
38 minutes
1988
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Magic Johnson & Isiah Thomas 1-on-1 Interview /
Ryan, Channing, and Fred sit down with one of the most iconic athletes who just...
Isiah Thomas 12x NBA All Star on Detroit Bad Boys, Magic Johnson & Feud w/ Michael Jordan / Ryan, Channing, and Fred sit down with one of the most iconic athletes who just happens to be their long time idol, NBA hall of famer, Isiah Thomas. The original Bad Boy of Detroit Pistons is opening up and talking everything from his relationship with Magic Johnson to Detroit Pistons changing the game to sharing his side of the infamous Michael Jordan feud.
Isiah starts the show saying very simply that he is going to state facts and you can’t argue facts and that it’s one thing to win a championship in the NBA but it’s another to win a championship at every level ever played.
Growing up on the West Side of Chicago, Isiah shares how his upbringing was shaped by his mother’s guidance and a family first mentality where his mother cared more about the type of man he’d become vs the money and opportunity being offered. His mom’s influence was so great, it became her decision where he played college basketball and also who he played for.
Explaining how he ended up in Bloomington, Indiana playing for Bobby Knight, he expounds on the life lessons that shaped him there not just winning back to back collegiate championships.
The West Side of Chicago is home to many activists and organizations such as Fred Hampton, Martin Luther King Jr, and The Black Panther Party. Isiah grew up in this environment and recalls marching alongside his mother with Dr.King. Spearheading change at the national level, Isiah used his local groundwork in Detroit to advocate for Black journalists covering the team, more rights for Black NBA players leaving a greater impact with his legacy not just on the court but in culture.
Isiah makes his case known for why so many people overlook Detroit Pistons as transcending the NBA and shares what the team really did for the league and how they were the firsts to do many things back then setting the example of how teams should be and move.
Known for his historic rivalry with Michael Jordan, Ryan asks what were his thoughts on the way his character was portrayed by Jordan in The Last Dance. Isiah provides The Pivot with an exclusive inside look to his true relationship with MJ and goes on to say that he always looked out for Michael and that their families were even close. He also speaks about how rules within the NBA were changed to protect Michael Jordan. Isaih doesn’t hold back as he shares his thoughts on while he was deemed the a-hole of the NBA when in fact he was the nice guy.
Lastly, Isiah lets the guys in on the history of his and Magic’s close relationship and what led up to their legendary interview. He gives credit to the current legends playing the game such as Lebron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, and says they’ve transformed the game in