Learn which NBA icon, Michael Jordan, propelled the NBA to the top. (Getty Images)
The TV series “They Call Me Magician” will be released in 2022. It tells the story of Lakers legend “Magic” Johnson’s early NBA journey from high school to college and the major leagues. Interestingly, Magic was inspired by Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance” to launch his series “They Call Me Magic” in 2020.
In the first episode of “They Call Me Magic,” “JuneBug,” Michael Jordan credited Magic Johnson with changing the NBA. While NBA fans believe Jordan changed the game, MJ pointed out that Magic’s contributions to the league were what truly changed the game.
“Everyone thinks Michael Jordan changed the NBA, but when Magic Johnson came in, the game changed,” MJ said.
Magic Johnson was surprised and touched that this quote came from the GOAT himself.
His reaction? Johnson laughed almost to tears, especially when Jordan acknowledged Magic’s huge role in turning the league around. Magic even recalled Jordan as the toughest guy on and off the court – smoking, drinking and gambling like a champ. Magic admitted that if he tried to do this, he would have zero points, no assists and just dragging his feet.
Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA, including 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02 and 2002-03. Magic, on the other hand, rocked the league for 13 seasons from 1979 to 1991 before making a small comeback in 1996.
“The Last Dance” – documentary series chronicling the rise of Michael Jordan
“The Last Dance” released in 2020 tells the story of Michael Jordan’s career. It amplifies his final season with the Chicago Bulls, 1997-98. It features exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with NBA legends such as Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr and Phil Jackson.
Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson Statistics
1. Magic Johnson
1995-96
- Team: Lakers
- GP (games played): 32
- Minutes (minutes per game): 29.9
- Pts (points per game): 14.6
- FG% (field goal percentage): 46.6%
- 3pt% (three-point shooting percentage): 37.9%
- Reb (rebounds per game): 5.7
- Ast (assists per game): 6.9
- Stl (steals per game): 0.8
1990-91
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 79
- Lowest: 37.1
- Points: 19.4
- Hit rate: 47.7%
- 3 points%: 32.0%
- Reflectivity: 7.0
- AST: 12.5
- Standard: 1.3
1989-90
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 79
- Lowest: 37.2
- Points: 22.3
- Hit rate: 48.0%
- 3 points%: 38.4%
- Reflectivity: 6.6
- AST: 11.5
- Strength: 1.7
1988-89
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 77
- Lowest: 37.5
- Points: 22.5
- Hit rate: 50.9%
- 3 points%: 31.4%
- Reflectivity: 7.9
- AST: 12.8
- Strength: 1.8
1987-88
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 72
- Lowest: 36.6
- Points: 19.6
- Hit rate: 49.2%
- 3 points%: 19.6%
- Reflectivity: 6.2
- AST: 11.9
- Strength: 1.6
1986-87
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 80
- Lowest: 36.3
- Points: 23.9
- Hit rate: 52.2%
- 3 points%: 20.5%
- Reflectivity: 6.3
- AST: 12.2
- Strength: 1.7
1985-86
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 72
- Lowest: 35.8
- Points: 18.8
- Hit rate: 52.6%
- 3 points%: 23.3%
- Reflectivity: 5.9
- AST: 12.6
- Strength: 1.6
1984-85
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 77
- Lowest: 36.1
- Points: 18.3
- Hit rate: 56.1%
- 3 points%: 18.9%
- Reflectivity: 6.2
- AST: 12.6
- Strength: 1.5
1983-84
- Team: Lakers
- Grand Prix: 67
- Lowest: 38.3
- Points: 17.6
- Hit rate: 56.5%
- 3 points%: 20.7%
- Reflectivity: 7.3
- AST: 13.1
- Standard: 2.2
1982-83
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 79
- Lowest: 36.8
- Points: 16.8
- Hit rate: 54.8%
- 3 points%: 0.0%
- Reflectivity: 8.6
- AST: 10.5
- Standard: 2.2
1981-82
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 78
- Lowest: 38.3
- Points: 18.6
- Hit rate: 53.7%
- 3 points%: 20.7%
- Reflectivity: 9.6
- AST: 9.5
- Strength: 2.7
1980-81
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 37
- Lowest: 37.1
- Points: 21.6
- Hit rate: 53.2%
- 3 points%: 17.6%
- Reflectivity: 8.6
- AST: 8.6
- Standard: 3.4
1979-80
- Team: Lakers
- General practitioners: 77
- Lowest: 36.3
- Points: 18.0
- Hit rate: 53.0%
- 3pt%: Not applicable
- Reflectivity: 7.7
- AST:7.3
- Standard: 2.4
2. Michael Jordan:
2002-03 season (Wizards):
- Games played (GP): 82
- Minutes per game (min): 37.0
- Points per game (Pts): 20.0
- Field goal percentage (FG%): 44.5%
- Three-point shooting percentage (3pt%): 29.1%
- Rebounds per game (Reb): 6.1
- Assists per game (Ast): 3.8
- Steals per game (Stl): 1.5
2001-02 season (Wizards):
- General practitioners: 60
- Lowest: 34.9
- Points: 22.9
- Hit rate: 41.6%
- 3 points%: 18.9%
- Reflectivity: 5.7
- AST: 5.2
- Standard: 1.4
1997-98 season (Bulls):
- Total score: 82
- Lowest: 38.8
- Points: 28.7
- Hit rate: 46.5%
- 3 points%: 23.8%
- Reflectivity: 5.8
- AST: 3.5
- Strength: 1.7
1996-97 season (Bulls):
- Total score: 82
- Lowest: 37.9
- Points: 29.6
- Hit rate: 48.6%
- 3 points%: 37.4%
- Reflectivity: 5.9
- AST: 4.3
- Strength: 1.7
1995-96 season (Bulls):
- Total score: 82
- Lowest: 37.7
- Points: 30.4
- Hit rate: 49.5%
- 3 points%: 42.7%
- Reflectivity: 6.6
- AST: 4.3
- Standard: 2.2
1994-95 season (Bulls):
- General practitioners: 17
- Lowest: 39.3
- Points: 26.9
- Hit rate: 41.1%
- 3 points%: 50.0%
- Reflectivity: 6.9
- AST: 5.3
- Strength: 1.8
1992-93 season (Bulls):
- General practitioners: 78
- Lowest: 39.3
- Points: 32.6
- Hit rate: 49.5%
- 3 points%: 35.2%
- Reflectivity: 6.7
- AST: 5.5
- Strength: 2.8
1991-92 season (Bulls):
- General practitioners: 80
- Lowest: 38.8
- Points: 30.0
- Hit rate: 51.9%
- 3 points%: 27.0%
- Reflectivity: 6.4
- AST:6.1
- Standard: 2.3
1990-91 season (Bulls):
- Total score: 82
- Lowest: 37.0
- Points: 31.5
- Hit rate: 53.9%
- 3 points%: 31.2%
- Reflectivity: 6.0
- AST: 5.5
- Strength: 2.7
1989-90 season (Bulls):
- Total score: 82
- Lowest: 39.0
- Points: 33.6
- Hit rate: 52.6%
- 3 points%: 37.6%
- Reflectivity: 6.9
- AST: 6.3
- Strength: 2.8
1988-89 season (Bulls):
- General practitioners: 81
- Lowest: 40.2
- Points: 32.5
- Hit rate: 53.8%
- 3 points%: 27.6%
- Reflectivity: 8.0
- AST: 8.0
- Strength: 2.9
1987-88 season (Bulls):
- Total score: 82
- Lowest: 40.4
- Points: 35.0
- Hit rate: 53.5%
- 3 points%: 13.2%
- Reflectivity: 5.5
- AST: 5.9
- Standard: 3.2
1986-87 season (Bulls):
- Total score: 82
- Minimum: 40.0
- Points: 37.1
- Hit rate: 48.2%
- 3 points%: 18.2%
- Reflectivity: 5.2
- AST: 4.6
- Strength: 2.9
1985-86 season (Bulls):
- GP: 18
- Lowest: 25.1
- Points: 22.7
- Hit rate: 45.7%
- 3 points%: 16.7%
- Reflectivity: 3.6
- AST: 2.9
- Standard: 2.1
1984-85 season (Bulls):
- Total score: 82
- Lowest: 38.3
- Points: 28.2
- Hit rate: 51.5%
- 3pt%: Not provided
- Reflectivity: 6.5
- AST: 5.9
- Standard: 2.4