In 1991, Michael Jordan and “Magic” Johnson reached the top of the NBA. Jordan’s Chicago Bulls had just defeated Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers to win the championship.
After months of competing for a championship, “The Junior” would make an announcement that would shock the basketball world. Before Johnson revealed he had HIV, he called some of his closest friends, including Air Jordan and Larry Bird.
When Johnson broke the heartbreaking news to him, Jordan said this in an interview:
“I almost drove my car off the road because I couldn’t handle it the way he did.”
It wasn’t just Michael Jordan who was shocked to hear the news. The entire basketball world suddenly paused to consider the situation of perhaps the greatest point guard in the game.
Magic Johnson and his family are receiving an outpouring of support. Despite the embarrassment, Los Angeles’ franchise player refused to run away from the issue. He held a press conference to let everyone know what he was going through.
The Lakers superstar has also participated in different shows to try to educate people about this terrible disease. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird were among those who supported him during those tough times.
Jordan, Bird and Johnson were fierce competitors on the court, but they also developed a close friendship. “Larry Legend” and “His Airness” didn’t hesitate to stand up for their good friends who were fighting for something bigger than basketball.
Michael Jordan once told Magic Johnson to consider retiring for good
Magic Johnson stepped away from the NBA after announcing he had HIV. The Los Angeles Lakers played without him from 1991-92 to 1994-95. In the second half of the 1995-96 season, Johnson decided to come back.
Michael Jordan also recently retired after his brief baseball career. The Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers finally met, with Jordan and Johnson facing off for the first time since the 1991 NBA Finals.
Magic Johnson said this on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” about what “his aura” told him after that game:
(9:50)
“Michael, after that game, he pulled me aside – I don’t think I ever told anyone about it. He put me between the locker rooms and he said, ‘Ervin, you now You have to remember, if you’re not with Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar), you’re not with James Worthy.
“‘All the guys you played with, Showtime, are no longer Lakers. So remember, maybe you should consider retiring.'”
Jordan was a relentless competitor, but he also cared about his former friend. The Bulls won 72 games that season and won another championship. Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers entered the playoffs as the eighth seed but were sent home by the Houston Rockets.
Johnson retired permanently after his team was eliminated from the playoffs.
editor
Michael Macacello