“He’s the greatest for me. Everyone says Michael Jordan changed the game. Magic Johnson is the one who changed the game!”
Michael “Air” Jordan (59) on Earvin “Magic” Johnson (62).
This Friday is the world premiere of the new documentary about the life of the basketball legend of the Los Angeles Lakers. “They Call Me Magic” runs on Apple TV+ (EUR 4.99 per month, new customers can take out a seven-day trial subscription). SPORT BILD has seen the series in advance and reveals the secrets of the four-part Magic documentary.
Bitter bankruptcy for Hamburg
HSV takes Freiburg into the final with a head foul!
Source: IMAGE
Where does his nickname come from
Sportswriter Fred Stabley Jr. sees 15-year-old Johnson in Michigan posting 36 points, 20 rebounds, 15 assists, 10 steals: “It was the best game I’ve ever seen anyone play. And that was only his second game in high school.”
Johnson recalls: “He came up to me and said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like it. We need to give you a nickname. Big E? dr Y? I call you ‘Magic’! I said, ‘My friends will never call me that.'” Stabley: “Two months later, everyone in Michigan knew who Magic was.”
His biggest loss and his biggest win
In 1984, Johnson and the Lakers lost the NBA Finals to Larry Bird (65) and the Boston Celtics in Game 7. “I’m still angry about the game today. I cost us the title. My darkest moment as a basketball player.”
Johnson was given the nickname “Tragic Magic”. That really hurt him – and spurred him on! In 1985 both teams faced each other again in the final. Before departing for Game 6 in Boston, Magic tells its teammates, “Just bring one suit. There won’t be a 7th game.” He was right, the Lakers won 111-100 – the third of five titles in his career.
When Michael Jordan cried in his arms
In 1991, the Bulls beat the Lakers 4-1 with Jordan in the NBA Finals. Jordan remembers: “He came to my dressing room and gave me the biggest hug ever.” Magic: “He cried during the hug. It was a beautiful moment – for both of us.”
Jordan: “It was as if he had welcomed me into the champions club, into the club of Magic and Larry Bird. That showed that he is a true champion.”
How he brought Jordan and Bird to the 1992 Dream Team
Despite his illness with the HIV virus, Johnson is to go to the Olympic Games in Barcelona. Magic: “I called Larry Bird, who didn’t want to come. I said: man, LB, this is our last hurrah! His back was broken. I said: All you have to do is stand in the corner and throw threes. I always give you the ball! He said: I’ll do this with my eyes closed.” Bird came along – Jordan initially refused.
Magic: “Michael wanted to focus on the Bulls. I said, ‘Listen man, it’s on my bucket list for life that I want to play with you and Larry again. Let’s have fun!’ In the end he said yes.” Together they won gold and wrote sports history.
The documentary also reveals:
- How Magic defeated the HIV virus.
- How he made peace in a gang war over breakfast.
- His sex confession: “I had sex with six women at the same time!”
SPORT BILD verdict: The documentary is magical! It even outshines the super “The Last Dance” documentary about Michael Jordan, which is mainly due to sensational guest appearances – by Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, among others.
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The USA Insider! Nils Suling lives in the USA and analyzes the issues America is talking about. Everything about football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, soccer, martial arts. Follow the USA insider on Twitter: @NilsSuling
