| The LA Lakers would not have been at the forefront | | | | performances. |
| of success if not for the players, past and present, | | | | The big leagues |
| who have worked hard to make their dreams | | | | At 6 feet and 9 inches, he could easily fit in as a |
| attainable. But before the present wonders such as | | | | center. However, he continued to play in the point |
| Kobe Bryant made it big, there were the legends | | | | guard position and has been known as the tallest |
| who made each game exciting. One of these | | | | point guard in NBA history. Magic performed his tricks |
| legendary players was a man called Magic Johnson, | | | | with ease and zest. The LA Lakers as a team now |
| who spun his tricks on the hardcourt. Lakers tickets | | | | played with an indomitable spirit that comes from |
| to games that Magic Johnson played sold fast and | | | | truly enjoying the game. Magic Johnson seemed to |
| good. | | | | have been the perfect companion for the Lakers' |
| Personal life | | | | center, Abdul-Jabbar. They went on to make the |
| Earvin Johnson Jr. was born on August 14, 1959 in | | | | most memorable wins for the team. |
| Lansing Michigan. Johnson developed a love for the | | | | When Abdul-Kareem was injured in a game, Magic |
| game as a young child, and went on to play for his | | | | stepped up to his position and led the team as |
| high school team, Everett High. The name Magic was | | | | center. This move ultimately earned the team the |
| eventually coined when a 15-year-old Johnson was | | | | NBA Finals championship of 1979, Magic's second |
| spotted by Fred Stabley Jr., a local sports writer, | | | | victory for the year after his collegiate triumph. Magic |
| who commented on the fast moves and the big | | | | Johnson also earned the season's MVP award, and |
| stack of points earned by the young Johnson. The | | | | the distinction of the only rookie who has ever |
| newly christened Magic Johnson then led Everett High | | | | received it in history. |
| towards the state championships in his senior year. | | | | Superstardom and a graceful exit |
| Collegiate basketball | | | | Fans were all lining up to get Lakers season tickets |
| After high school, Magic Johnson went to Michigan | | | | because of Magic Johnson and the team's exciting |
| State University and took their varsity team to great | | | | and grand displays of sportsmanship during what |
| heights in the NCAA during his tenure in the varsity | | | | became known as "Showtimes." Magic Johnson also |
| team. Year 1979 saw Michigan State clinching the | | | | developed a love-hate match up with Boston Celtics' |
| collegiate finals and grabbing the top spot from | | | | Larry Bird in the succeeding years of their career. |
| Indiana State University. After impressing collegiate | | | | Both have graced campaigns that exploit their |
| crowds all over the country, Johnson was spotted by | | | | so-called rivalry throughout the years, but have in |
| major league sharks who immediately slated him for | | | | fact grown to be true friends behind the limelight. |
| drafting to the NBA. In 1979, Magic Johnson entered | | | | Magic Johnson and the LA Lakers achieved and |
| the big leagues of the much-regarded game of | | | | maintained great heights throughout the 1980s until |
| basketball with the Los Angeles Lakers. Probably due | | | | 1991 when he had to bow out of the big leagues |
| to his famed successes in the collegiate leagues, sales | | | | abruptly because of HIV. Today, Magic Johnson uses |
| of Lakers tickets pumped up. As he worked in | | | | his determination and spirit for the game in other |
| tandem with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, people were | | | | pursuits of a more philanthropic origin such as AIDS |
| more than just excited to see the team's | | | | ans HIV awareness campaigns. |