Most people in the world have an individual that they look up to, someone who they want to model their life after. For many, parents or celebrities are this individual. Some children even choose athletes such as NBA players. One of the most influential people in the basketball world during the time was Magic Johnson. Earvin “Magic” Johnson was a 6’9” point guard in the National Basketball Association. With his height and exceptional ball handling skills for his size, he took the NBA by storm by posting unbelievable statistics and winning multiple championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. His championships came by his will to never give up. Magic’s attitude and desire to win played a role to his influence on the people. Along with fame comes …show more content…
Soon after his public announcement of his contraction of HIV, Johnson has been a public figure for HIV for a long time. Johnson continued to speak out and raised millions of dollars for research to combat the disease. In Encyclopedia of World Biography, the author said, “He founded the Magic Johnson Foundation for HIV/AIDS education and coauthored What You Can Do to Prevent AIDS” (Encyclopedia of World Biography, "Earvin Johnson, Jr" 1). Magic’s foundation raised awareness for HIV/AIDS and with him being a spokesmodel, popularity for testing increased. However, when he was first known to have the disease, his family did not know what to do. Instead of losing hope and saying the end is near, both Magic and his wife did everything in their power to keep him healthy and optimistic. In the periodical “Magic and Me,” the author wrote: “ [Magic and his wife] felt their world was crumbling... but instead of retreating they started fighting for Magic’s life and as well as for greater awareness about HIV” (Leonard 9). Magic’s family took the disease as a chance to better themselves as well as an opportunity to help others around them. In addition, Magic has been the perfect symbol of a healthy human with HIV because of how long he has healthily lived with the disease. In the periodical, “We Believe in Magic”, the author wrote about how Magic was a symbol to the people: “ And as he remained healthy and in the public eye, Earvin …show more content…
Magic changed how the NBA worked by breaking the barrier of bigger players playing at point guard which is mostly for smaller players. Magic also worked hard and stayed determined whether it was at basketball or school. Magic defied all expectations after being drafted as a first round pick and after his announcement about HIV, he has been a positive public figure for them for years. However, his affairs with other men during his basketball career, which was his presumed cause of HIV, put many question marks on his overall character. Magic Johnson sets an example for people and children today. Despite all of his hardships in life, he did not give up. Given how easy losing hope is, Magic’s character has stayed with him. Even after getting the announcement that his career is over, he still powers though all the negatives in life and even came back to the NBA for a period. Magic Johnson did not only set an example of how kids in modern time should practice and play basketball, he also set an example for kids by his built character and his determination and work
Magic Johnson was a big man who, in many ways, is larger than life. Hes Earvin “Magic” johnson, the six feet-nine former National Basketball Association (NBA) star, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1970 to 1991 and won the admiration of basketball fans everywhere. After graduating from high school, Magic went to college at a nearby Michigan state,, where he led his team to a 25-5 record and the big ten conference title.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr is known to be one of the most influential people in the history of sports, business, and so much more. He is a former basketball player, entrepreneur, activist, and is currently the head of the Lakers’ Basketball Operations. He has won a Gold Medal in the Olympics playing for the 1992 “dream team”, won 3 NBA MVP awards and has been a very successful businessman venturing into a variety of industries. Earvin Johnson Jr would begin his life on August 14th 1959 in Lansing, Michigan which is the same place where he would reside during his early years. Johnson would grow up with six other siblings and his parents in Lansing, Michigan.
“After God and my father, I respect Larry Bird more than anyone,” said basketball legend, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. With the odds set against him, a country boy from the basketball hotbed of Indiana, Bird was able to make a name for himself and has left an impact on the basketball world like no other. Creating an image was hard for Bird; he dropped out of Indiana University after just twenty-four days because he was unable to adjust to the crowded university culture. Bird worked as a garbage man after he dropped out, forgoing his basketball career to spend time at home. Bird loved his time as a garbage man, where he learned to enjoy the simpler parts of life. Bird’s father committed suicide during this time, forcing him
Although Kobe and Magic are basketball stars, they have different ways of how they dominated the league. Earvin “Magic Johnson entered the league in 1979 as a 6 foot 9 point guard. Michigan State was the college he went to for two years . When he was in the NBA most people said that his era was very physical. Most people back then wanted to score the ball ,but he wanted to pass a lot.
By the time he reached college he was very popular and everyone knew who he was. Magic played with intensity and strength, with a couple adjustments being made he quickly found his groove. Coach Jud Heathcote was explosive and never let his players quit. He spent hours on end with his players working to make them improve. There was great athletes all over the court and Earvin had to adjust from being able to dominate to being a team player.
Magic Johnson “For me, it always goes back to something I learned in basketball. There's winning and there's losing, and in life you have to know they both will happen. But what's never been acceptable to me is quitting.” After a very successful life, Magic Johnson had a “loss,” but he never quit. Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing Michigan on August 14, 1959.
Wilt Chamberlain was a 7’1 gentleman who had a big heart for other things except basketball. He never really had an interest in playing any kind of sports; he’s adopted, so the family he has been with all his life have never really told him that he could be good at anything he does. Wilt never told anyone this until he got in high school but he was always drawing something. Like a flower or a person, the one thing Wilt loved to draw was a Lion. That’s only because the lion is the king of the jungle and everyone knew about the lion but nobody knew about young Wilt Chamberlain.
In the course of competing in the NBA Jordan, preformed consistently. Once Jordan’s team made it to the finals, his team dominated, specifically him. On the website “Michealjordansworld.com”, a site dedicated to sharing accurate information about Jordan, the chart listed shows that in the course of six years Jordan has averaged 33.6 points per final game. This demonstrates Jordan’s elite abilities on the court.
Jordan burst into the league as a rookie sensation scoring in droves with an unmatchable first step and acrobatic drives and dunks and concluded his career as a cultural icon. Hard work, dedication, and the desire
During the 1980s and 1990s the new HIV disease began to emerge in society and with it came harsh stereotypes and discrimination against those who contracted it. Simultaneously, one of the most talented and influential point guards in basketball was dominating the sport: Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Throughout his career Johnson gained three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and was admitted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (“Magic Johnson”). However, on November 7, 1991, Johnson announced his diagnosis of HIV and his retirement from the National Basketball Association (NBA). Following this abrupt and unexpected event, Johnson became one of the leading figures in the fight against AIDS. The Magic Johnson Foundation was founded and is still dedicated to educating communities about AIDS. The charitable and influential work Johnson contributed to the research of AIDS revealed him as not just an extraordinary basketball player but also as an extraordinary human being (“Magic Johnson”). A few years after Johnson’s diagnosis, he released his autobiography, My Life. My Life describes the childhood and competitive basketball years of Johnson as well as his announcement of contracting HIV. In the article, “New and Noteworthy Paperbacks”, by Laurel Graeber, reviewer Harvey Araton describes Magic Johnson’s autobiography, My Life, as “best when he shares his insights about his coaches and fellow players” (Graeber). The article has positive things to say about Johnson’s autobiography such
He won four championships in the 80’s and would have been even better in the 90’s some people say. I think that if Magic Johnson would have stayed in the NBA Michael Jordan wouldn't have gotten as much accomplishments as he did. Even though magic johnson did come back to play a couple more years, he would have been even greater if he hadn't retire. But some NBA players were scared to play the game with someone who had HIV because they didn't know much about the virus and didn't want to get infected with that virus. Magic Johnson has changed basketball and people will forever know and speak of him. That is how Magic Johnson changed basketball in the
Many people wish for greatness; Larry Bird worked for it until he achieved it, particularly in basketball. Basketball has always been a fast-paced, exciting game to watch. The sport has even been nationally televised for decades. The game has gained special popularity because of its superstars. National Basketball Association (NBA) superstars are recognized by many as the most recognizable pro athletes. Larry Bird was one of the most famous stars of the league, and his popularity greatly increased the publics’ interest in the league. Larry Bird’s fame and basketball success was brought about by his hard work and competitiveness.
Watching Jordan play and seeing how great he was, influenced many teens and kids around the world.
Michael Jordan had a passion for Basketball. It was not something he did to fill up his spare time; it was a goal that he knew would be his channel to influence the world. When we follow our passion, we would paint the world in very bright colors. It is important to know that our passion is our DNA, which would be the channel through which we make a mark in our world. Michael Jordan’s passion still speaks because he has influenced many generations of young people in the game of Basketball.
When I was a kid I use to play basketball every day because of one man his name is “Michael Jordan” he was one of the greatest players in history of the NBA. Also he inspires everyone to never give up. When he didn’t make his high school team, he kept trying, illness never held him back from the games. He made the world a better place by setting an example for others. Michael Jordan has helped in the Special Olympics. Through his basketball career he has shown great perseverance and hard work he inspires people to work hard and always helped others. Michael Jordan always shows children how to reach