 |
|
| Earvin "Magic" Johnson After announcing his retirement from the NBA in 1991 due to the HIV virus, NBA fans still voted him into the starting lineup for the 1992 NBA All Star game for active players. The league created an extra roster spot, and he won the game's MVP Award. That summer he was a member of the gold medal winning U.S. Olympic Team. And in 1996, after sitting out 4 1/2 seasons, Johnson, at age 36, and 25 pounds heavier, returned to proffesional basketball. He still dazzled fans with his talent and heart until he retired for good in May that same year. Johnson overcame great adversity, and gave great inspiration to those inflicted with HIV, and to all who have had huge obstacles to overcome. |
 |
| Far Above: MJ and MJ during the '92 Olympics Immediate Above:Magic is welcomed back by Michael Jordan in 1996 |
| *12-time NBA All Star (1980, 82-92) *9-time All-NBA First Team (1983-91) *5 NBA championship rings (1980, 82, 85, 87, 88) *3 NBA MVP Awards (1987, 89, 90) *3 NBA Finals MVP Awards (1980, 82, 87) *Won 3 titles at 3 different levels (high-school, college and the NBA) in 4 seasons before age 21 *3rd player to win NCAA and NBA titles in consecutive seasons (Bill Rissell and Henery Bibby are the others) *1st and only rookie NBA Finals MVP *2-time NBA All Star MVP (1990, 92) *Highest assists per game average in NBA history (11.2) *Selected in 1996 as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History For more on Magic Johnson click here |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Michael Jordan For more on Michael Jordan click here After leading the Bulls to three straight championships and rewriting the NBA record books, the 30 year old legend shocked the world in 1993 by retiring in his prime. Michael's father, James, had been found murdered on August 13 and Michael left the game on October 6th. He returned a year and a half later, matching his own record by winning 3 NBA Finals MVP awards in a row, for a second time, as he led Chicago to 3 more titles. Jordan was often criticised early in his carrer for being a one sided player, simply a scorer. The critics evidence: while impressive, Jordan became the first player since Chamberlin to score more than 3,000 points in a season in 1988 averaging 37.1 points in his 3rd year; But in each of his first 3 seasons, Jordan's Bulls never had a winning record, never made it beyond the first round of the playoffs, and were swept the last two years. Ironically, it was in '88 that Jordan became the first player to record 200 blocks and 100 steals in a single season. The following year, Jordan won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award, won his first of 5 NBA MVP awards, and was named to his first of a record 9 NBA All-Defensive First Teams. A very special aspect of Michael is his relationship with his father. Michael had his father by his side throughout his life and in Chicago's championship celebrations of 91, 92 and 93. The loss of his father in 1993 was devestating to him, and when the Bulls won the title in 1996, it was bittersweet. The decisive victory came on Father's Day, and when it was over, Michael collapsed on the floor and cried. A true champion and a class act, a summary of Jordan's carrer can't do it justice. "If God was a basketball player, he'd be Michael Jordan." --Magic Johnson |
 |
| Left: Magic was ecstatic, winning gold at the 1992 Olympic Games For more on the 1992 NBA Dream Team click HERE |
 |
 |
| Jordan made the final shot of his carrer in the 98 Finals, which gave the Bulls the title, their 2nd 3-peat and 6th title in 8 years |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Questions or comments? Please email Dan Blanchette [email protected] |
| He's Baaaack!! Click HERE |
 |
 |
| Below: A 20 year-old Magic celebrating the 1980 NBA title victory, his 3rd title in 4 seasons. He also won the series MVP award. |
 |
 |
| Michael's father, James (L) was with him to celebrate titles in 1991, 92 and 93 (above), but when James was murdered in 1993, and Michael won the title on Fathers Day 1996, Michael collapsed and cried (below) |
 |