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‘That's where the game changed’: When Michael Jordan credited THIS player for taking the NBA to the next level
Michael Jordan once hailed an NBA veteran for taking basketball greatness to great heights. Find out who is the living legend.
The TV series, "They Call Me Magic" dropped in 2022. It narrates the early days of the Lakers legend, Magic Johnson's NBA journey, from high school to college and the big leagues. Interestingly, Magic was inspired by Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance" in 2020 to come up with his series, 'They Call Me Magic.'
In the first episode of 'They Call Me Magic' called 'JuneBug,' Michael Jordan hailed Magic Johnson for transforming NBA. Although NBA fans credit Jordan for changing the game, MJ pointed to Magic's contribution to the league as the real game-changer.
"Everybody gives credit to Michael Jordan for changing the NBA, but when Magic Johnson came in, that's where the game changed," said MJ.
Magic Johnson was surprised and touched that it came from the GOAT himself.
His reaction? Johnson was laughing and almost tearing up, especially when Jordan acknowledged that Magic played a huge role in turning the league around. Magic even recalled Jordan being the toughest guy on and off the court – smoking, drinking, and gambling like a champ. Magic admitted if he tried that, he'd be scoring zero, with no assists, just dragging.
Jordan had a 15-season run in the NBA, including 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, and 2002-03. On the other hand, Magic rocked the league for 13 seasons, from 1979 to 1991, and then a little comeback in 1996.
"The Last Dance" - Docuseries Chronicling the Ascent Of Michael Jordan
"The Last Dance" released in 2020 is all about Michael Jordan's career. It zoomed in on his last season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98. It's got exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with NBA legends like Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, and Phil Jackson.
Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson's Statistics
1. Magic Johnson
1995-96
- Team: Lakers
- GP (Games Played): 32
- Min (Minutes per Game): 29.9
- Pts (Points per Game): 14.6
- FG% (Field Goal Percentage): 46.6%
- 3pt% (3-Point 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
- GP: 79
- Min: 37.1
- Pts: 19.4
- FG%: 47.7%
- 3pt%: 32.0%
- Reb: 7.0
- Ast: 12.5
- Stl: 1.3
1989-90
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 79
- Min: 37.2
- Pts: 22.3
- FG%: 48.0%
- 3pt%: 38.4%
- Reb: 6.6
- Ast: 11.5
- Stl: 1.7
1988-89
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 77
- Min: 37.5
- Pts: 22.5
- FG%: 50.9%
- 3pt%: 31.4%
- Reb: 7.9
- Ast: 12.8
- Stl: 1.8
1987-88
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 72
- Min: 36.6
- Pts: 19.6
- FG%: 49.2%
- 3pt%: 19.6%
- Reb: 6.2
- Ast: 11.9
- Stl: 1.6
1986-87
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 80
- Min: 36.3
- Pts: 23.9
- FG%: 52.2%
- 3pt%: 20.5%
- Reb: 6.3
- Ast: 12.2
- Stl: 1.7
1985-86
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 72
- Min: 35.8
- Pts: 18.8
- FG%: 52.6%
- 3pt%: 23.3%
- Reb: 5.9
- Ast: 12.6
- Stl: 1.6
1984-85
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 77
- Min: 36.1
- Pts: 18.3
- FG%: 56.1%
- 3pt%: 18.9%
- Reb: 6.2
- Ast: 12.6
- Stl: 1.5
1983-84
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 67
- Min: 38.3
- Pts: 17.6
- FG%: 56.5%
- 3pt%: 20.7%
- Reb: 7.3
- Ast: 13.1
- Stl: 2.2
1982-83
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 79
- Min: 36.8
- Pts: 16.8
- FG%: 54.8%
- 3pt%: 0.0%
- Reb: 8.6
- Ast: 10.5
- Stl: 2.2
1981-82
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 78
- Min: 38.3
- Pts: 18.6
- FG%: 53.7%
- 3pt%: 20.7%
- Reb: 9.6
- Ast: 9.5
- Stl: 2.7
1980-81
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 37
- Min: 37.1
- Pts: 21.6
- FG%: 53.2%
- 3pt%: 17.6%
- Reb: 8.6
- Ast: 8.6
- Stl: 3.4
1979-80
- Team: Lakers
- GP: 77
- Min: 36.3
- Pts: 18.0
- FG%: 53.0%
- 3pt%: N/A
- Reb: 7.7
- Ast: 7.3
- Stl: 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%
- 3-Point 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):
- GP: 60
- Min: 34.9
- Pts: 22.9
- FG%: 41.6%
- 3pt%: 18.9%
- Reb: 5.7
- Ast: 5.2
- Stl: 1.4
1997-98 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 82
- Min: 38.8
- Pts: 28.7
- FG%: 46.5%
- 3pt%: 23.8%
- Reb: 5.8
- Ast: 3.5
- Stl: 1.7
1996-97 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 82
- Min: 37.9
- Pts: 29.6
- FG%: 48.6%
- 3pt%: 37.4%
- Reb: 5.9
- Ast: 4.3
- Stl: 1.7
1995-96 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 82
- Min: 37.7
- Pts: 30.4
- FG%: 49.5%
- 3pt%: 42.7%
- Reb: 6.6
- Ast: 4.3
- Stl: 2.2
1994-95 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 17
- Min: 39.3
- Pts: 26.9
- FG%: 41.1%
- 3pt%: 50.0%
- Reb: 6.9
- Ast: 5.3
- Stl: 1.8
1992-93 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 78
- Min: 39.3
- Pts: 32.6
- FG%: 49.5%
- 3pt%: 35.2%
- Reb: 6.7
- Ast: 5.5
- Stl: 2.8
1991-92 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 80
- Min: 38.8
- Pts: 30.0
- FG%: 51.9%
- 3pt%: 27.0%
- Reb: 6.4
- Ast: 6.1
- Stl: 2.3
1990-91 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 82
- Min: 37.0
- Pts: 31.5
- FG%: 53.9%
- 3pt%: 31.2%
- Reb: 6.0
- Ast: 5.5
- Stl: 2.7
1989-90 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 82
- Min: 39.0
- Pts: 33.6
- FG%: 52.6%
- 3pt%: 37.6%
- Reb: 6.9
- Ast: 6.3
- Stl: 2.8
1988-89 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 81
- Min: 40.2
- Pts: 32.5
- FG%: 53.8%
- 3pt%: 27.6%
- Reb: 8.0
- Ast: 8.0
- Stl: 2.9
1987-88 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 82
- Min: 40.4
- Pts: 35.0
- FG%: 53.5%
- 3pt%: 13.2%
- Reb: 5.5
- Ast: 5.9
- Stl: 3.2
1986-87 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 82
- Min: 40.0
- Pts: 37.1
- FG%: 48.2%
- 3pt%: 18.2%
- Reb: 5.2
- Ast: 4.6
- Stl: 2.9
1985-86 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 18
- Min: 25.1
- Pts: 22.7
- FG%: 45.7%
- 3pt%: 16.7%
- Reb: 3.6
- Ast: 2.9
- Stl: 2.1
1984-85 Season (Bulls):
- GP: 82
- Min: 38.3
- Pts: 28.2
- FG%: 51.5%
- 3pt%: Not provided
- Reb: 6.5
- Ast: 5.9
- Stl: 2.4
ALSO READ: Cookie Johnson - All about Magic Johnson’s Wife and their Relationship Timeline
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