THE SPORT COUNT

As a staid and serious journalist, I should never let the fog of bias colour my words. Indeed, the entire Sport Count team are nothing if not objective, rarely — if ever — reporting anything but the bare facts, our features untainted by personal opinion.

But just this once, I’ll let things take a turn for the subjective. I’ll come out with it: I love Magic Johnson.

Always have. What’s not to love? There’s his effort in game six of the 1980 NBA Finals, when Magic, a rookie fresh out of Michigan state, replaced the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at centre, burning the 76ers for 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

There’s his revolutionising of the point guard position, a 6’9″ hardcourt genius, blowing basketball fan minds with his Showtime Lakers. There are the five championship rings, and three MVP trophies. Not to mention the incredible work he’s done for HIV awareness.

So, to paraphrase the great Steppenwolf, let’s go on a magic carpet ride. And by ‘carpet ride,’ I mean watching internet videos.

Fantastic Magic highlights, from a baby Earvin through to his Michigan State days, and the Showtime Lakers. The Curtis Mayfield soundtrack doesn’t hurt:

Magic retires. It’s absolutely heart-wrenching, but when Johnson flashes that famous smile and says ‘I plan on going on, living for a long time, bugging you guys like I always have,’ you suddenly feel like everything is going to be okay:

Magic and Bird. There will never be a greater friendship/rivalry in sports. Ever. Here they both are at Larry Bird’s retirement ceremony:

And here they are together in a charmingly dodgy Converse ad. The highlight? Magic rips off his pants, and Larry says ‘show me what you got’:

Why don’t they make ads like this any more? I’m so goddamned thirsty for a 7-Up:

Posted By: Anton