Preview

Magic Johnson Research Paper

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. Earvin Johnson Jr. was born on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan, Magic Johnson dominated the court as one of America's best basketball players for 12 years. If there was one aspect of Johnson's game that awed people the most, it was his brilliant passing skills. He dazzled fans and dumbfounded opponents with no-look passes off the fast-break, pinpoint alley-oops from half-court, spinning feeds and overhand bullets under the basket through triple teams. When defenders expected him to pass, he shot. When they expected him to shoot, he passed. Johnson did all of this while maintaining a childlike enthusiasm born of a pure love of sport and competition. Beyond all the money, success and fame, Johnson was just happy to be playing basketball. He retired from the LA Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had the AIDS virus. He has since then built up a business empire called Magic Johnson Enterprises, which includes real estate holdings, several Starbucks franchises, and movie theaters. Magic Johnson is also a proud part-owner of the Las Angles Dodgers. He signed his contract with the Dodgers before the 2012 season has started and he seems very excited to help this …show more content…

on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan. For 12 years, Johnson dominated the court as one of America's best basketball players. He has since then built up a business empire, which includes real estate holdings, several Starbucks franchises, and movie theaters. From a large family, Johnson grew up with nine brothers and sisters. Both of his parents worked—his father for the General Motors plant in town and his mother for as a school custodian. He had a passion for basketball, and would start practicing as early as 7:30 a.m. At Everett High School, Johnson earned his famous nickname, "Magic," after a sportswriter witnessed him score 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists in a single

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Michael Jeffery Jordan is also and more commonly known as Michael Jordan or MJ. He is an American retired professional basketball player. He is now a principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. Michael Jordan played for 15 seasons in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards. He also played in the 1984 Los Angeles and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics playing for the United States.…

    • 2426 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dwyane Wade Research Paper

    • 1438 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are both basketball players in the NBA, and Both players grew up idolizing Michael Jordan. LeBron used to watch Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, and now he wears number 23 because of Michael Jordan. Dwyane Wade grew up in Chicago, Michael Jordan’s city. Both players have achieved lots in the NBA. Wade and LeBron both have experienced success in the NBA and in their early years.…

    • 1438 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During his early life he attended an all black high school called Williamson High School in Mobile , Alabama which during those time Alabama was segregated state but he still managed to represent his high school in the Alabama science fair and was the only African American student to attend and take first place during those times by presenting a compressed air powered robot. Later on attended Tuskegee University , an historically black university , on a math scholarship. Johnson earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering.…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    If I were a basketball player given the option to play with Magic on the court for a game or opt out, I would play. The only way HIV/AIDS can be transmitted is through sexual intercourse or contact with blood (Ex. If you had an open wound and some of the infected person’s blood got into the wound or you digested some of the blood from the contaminated subject). Thus being highly unlikely for a person to be contaminated if only playing a game of basketball.…

    • 433 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    On August 14,1959 in Langsing MI a legend was born. That legends name was Magic Mike a basketball legend he grew up with 9 brothers and sisters. In my opinion he is one of the greats the one that everyone knows what he did to get the name. Johnson has three children and is married so he is a family man. He has millions of dollars just from playing basketball.…

    • 352 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Larry Bird Research Paper

    • 724 Words
    • 3 Pages

    He graduated as record holder for career points with an average of thirty points and twenty rebounds in his senior year. He received a scholarship to the University of Indiana (“Larry Bird Biography for Kids”). He stayed at the University of Indiana for twenty-four days before he became overwhelmed by the size of campus and dropped out (“Larry Bird Facts”). He then returned home where he entered a short unhappy marriage. To support himself and his daughter he drove a garbage truck. Then on top of all that his father committed suicide (“Larry Bird Facts”). After that he enrolled at Indiana State University where he became a superstar. His first year there he averaged thirty points and ten rebound per game. The attendance at home games tripled and he lead team his right to the NCAA championship. They face Michigan State and their star player, Ervin “Magic” Johnson. It would be the first time the two players faced each other head-to-head in their friendship/rivalry though out their careers. Larry lost but he ended his career as the fifth all-time scorer in NCAA history (“Larry Bird Biography for…

    • 724 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Earvin "Magic" Johnson

    • 900 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Earvin Johnson Jr. was his name, he came from Lansing, Michigan. Earvin grew up playing basketball since he was twelve years old. Earvin was born August 14, 1959. Earvin’s nickname was “Magic” ever since a sportswriter saw him play one of the best high school basketball games. When Magic Johnson got drafted he weighed 255 pounds and stood at six foot nine inches. Johnson went to Michigan state for college; then the Los Angeles Lakers drafted him first in the 1979 draft pick. Magic Johnson’s career took off from there.…

    • 900 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, NY. He studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Not only did he study there, that is where he got signed his Junior year and became the all-star that he is today. Michael Jordan got drafted by the Chicago Bulls and because of his excellance performance in the game he made the team reach the playoffs with selling out tickets every game. Jordan was a true all-star. Jordan was a man of “respect, humility and a strong work ethic” (Johnson). He was 6-foot-6 with aspiring goals in life. He has a beautiful family 2 young boys, one daughter and a wife. Everybody knew who Michael Jordan was, he was a very popular basketball player in such little time. He became known for his awesome performance on the court. Girls were in love with him and guys wanted to be him. In 1985, Jordan got to finished his bachelor's degree in geography and he still kept on play NBA Basketball. As years go by his performance kept on increasing and little by little he got endorsements deals with huge companies like Nike, which is what made him the important person that he is in American History. Michael Jordan was the first African American player in history that was marketed this…

    • 967 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Since a young age I have been a huge fan of basketball, and of course being from New York, I am a fan of the New York Knicks. The all-star player of the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, played college basketball at Syracuse. The season of his freshmen year, Carmelo led his team to their first NCAA Championship. He also was awarded the Most Outstanding Player award. Soon after, the Denver Nuggets drafted Carmelo Anthony with the third overall pick. He then went on to achieve his dreams of playing in the NBA and has since been a nine time All-Star. Seeing how Syracuse helped Carmelo achieve his dreams, I had always wanted to go to Syracuse to pursue my dreams.…

    • 244 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hall of Fame consists of legends of the past that will never be forgotten. As the president of the NBA, I would like congratulate Kobe Bryant as he’s been selected into the NBA Hall of Fame.…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    From the dismantling of the Soviet Union to the rise of democracy in Eastern Europe, desert storm, and liberating Kuwait. Earvin “Magic” Johnsons announcement of his retirement from professional basketball due to his contraction of aids is just as crucial. The creation of his foundation has helped those with and without aids. Also the impact of his announcement created worldwide awareness and helped dispel many misconceptions surrounding aids and how it’s contracted and who usually get it. Lastly his own inner battle with protecting his fellow teammates and opponents to possible infection and continuing his legacy is tragically poetic. And his redemption through being voted to the all star game and later that year playing in the Olympics and winning gold was a fitting end to his year. Magic Johnson’s announcement will go down in history as the most historic event of…

    • 1525 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Magic Johnson the extraordinary one was born in Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A. This legend of basketball was born in 14th of August 1959. Mr. Basketball had a hard childhood. He was 6th of the ten children of the Johnson family. Because his family was so poor, he had to work 6 hours, go to school twelve hours and he had only one hour to play basketball. He says I dribbled to the store with my right hand and back with my left. He idolized…

    • 1130 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    He was known for having multiple partners without the use of a contraceptive. So when he announced his retirement from the NBA in 1991 because of this, he knew he had to do something about this disease. It was to protect and warn of this virus. So he inquired about supporting HIV and AIDS research. In 1992, Magic became a member of the National AIDS Awareness Group. Through this, he expressed how he made bad decisions, and how those bad decisions can effect you through life(AEGIS). Magic Johnson spoke to almost 1,000 students at Cardozo High School in Washington D.C in 1991. Magic challenged the students to put as much energy into their academic work as into sports, and to save sex until after marriage. Johnson now brings a strong message to students and young people across the country on sexual responsibility. He told the assembled students at Cardozo High that although some students would not take his advice, he urged them: "You shouldn't have it [sex] until you're married." One female student created a stir in the audience when she questioned Johnson why he wasn't "responsible" in his many sexual encounters with women during his basketball career. "That was my mistake," Johnson…

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    It was late at night, and Allen Iverson was on the basketball court being covered by his childhood hero, the legendary Michael Jordan. He called for the ball from his teammate, and he was passed the ball. The crowd cheered loudly for Iverson to make a move. Iverson faked to the left side then pulled the ball over to his right hand quickly. Michael Jordan lunged for the ball, but fell for the fake. Iverson was now open for a shot, and the opportunity did not go to waste, for he buried the shot. (Patt) Allen Iverson has made many incredible shots like this one. However, he went through many tough things in life to have one of the most successful basketball careers ever, win many awards, inspire many people, and influence the basketball world.…

    • 1006 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Michael Jordan 23

    • 1554 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Jordan is very important personality and it is important that we learn about his life because Jordan has influenced our society. Before explaining why Jordan is an exceptional person first let's learn basic information about him. Michael Jeffrey Michael Jordan was born in New York. Michael Jordan has two brothers, one older sister and one younger sister. Since the beginning Mike played basketball and football but the sport that Michael Jordan loved was baseball. Michael Jordan decided to play basketball because Larry his older brother continually beat him on one-on-one and Jordan was determinated on beating him up to become a better player. The very first team that Jordan played was his High School team at Wilmington at North Carolina, Ironically Jordan was kicked out of the team, but because of his personality he did not give up and he kept up practicing. Michael Jordan’s personal style was equally as authentic as his basketball skills.…

    • 1554 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays