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Magic Johnson just got done battling Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the 1991 NBA Finals. He didn't have Kareem anymore, but Worthy and Coop were still by his side. They didn't beat Michael this time, but they thought there was always next year. Unfortunately, fate had different plans for the premier NBA athlete of the 1980's. As Magic geared up for next season's run at a championship, he found out he had the life-threatening HIV virus from a pre-season physical he had to take.
"Because of the HIV Virus I have obtained, I will have to retire from the Lakers today". Magic's earth-shattering words on November 7th, 1991 generated widespread fear, empathy, and uncertainty across the globe. He didn't beat around the bush at all. After he greeted the media at his press conference, he laid out the cold, simple truth. He made a point to clarify that it didn't evolve into the complete AIDS virus yet, and his wife Cookie didn't have it either. That was comforting to hear, but people knew so little about the virus they were unsure if Magic was even going to live much longer. In today's NBA world this would be akin to Lebron retiring effective immediately because of a deadly disease, not knowing how much more time he would have on this Earth.
Magic's overall demeanor in the press conference was positive and matter-of-fact. He used the opportunity to become a spokesman for people with the virus. Most thought only gay people or drug users with dirty needles could get the virus. He tried to get across to the world that yes, this can definitely happen to you too if you have unprotected sex. It only takes a few prominent people such as Magic, Rock Hudson, or Freddie Mercury to contract the virus for it to be viewed in a different light. At the beginning of the decade, as many as eight to ten million average Joe's and Janes were estimated to be living with the deadly virus. Magic took it upon himself to be a voice and advocate for the common man and woman.
One of the first people Magic called before he went on television was none other than his fiercest rival on the court, Larry Bird. Magic and Larry grew an unexpected fondness for each other after Magic shot a commercial for Converse with Larry in his hometown of French Lick, Indiana. Although they shared an intense dislike for each other on the court, they realized there was a lot of common ground between them. They were both close to their respective families and both grew up poor in the Midwest. Per an NPR article on Larry and Magic's relationship, Larry Legend remarks, "It was probably one of the worst feelings you could ever imagine...I was a gamer, I loved game day; I couldn't wait to get down to the gym. But when I got that call that's the one time I can honestly say I didn't feel like playing." Magic assured Larry that he was going to be ok and get through this hardship. Both competitors still get emotional recalling that moment in time.
He may have been out of the league, but he never left the hearts and minds of NBA fans. He was voted to participate in the All-Star game, even start thanks to Tim Hardaway who offered up his starting role to give Magic the spotlight. After not playing the entire season, he put up one of the most inspiring performances in the history of the All-Star game. He nabbed the MVP award of the night with 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, and hit a clutch 3 pointer in the face of Isaiah Thomas. A few months later they honored Magic again by inviting him to join the fabled Dream Team at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Magic made good on his press conference promise that he was going to be alright. The man is arguably even more important to the city of Los Angeles than ever before. He is still with us and is part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers. He's been able to succeed in his life after basketball so much that you actually forget he shook the world up on that somber day in November 26 years ago.
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