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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject: What If Earvin Johnson Hadn't Left The Game Early?
 Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 09:50 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
Posts: 3093
Location: Pasadena, CA
  
votes: 14
Status: Offline
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That was one of the saddest days in sports history.
Los Angeles Lakers star Earvin "Magic" Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA after discovering he had contracted HIV.
Although he was retired, he still played in the 1992 All-Star Game in which he was crowned MVP.
He also played for the Dream Team at the Olympics during the following summer.
Johnson then attempted a comeback before the 1992-93 season, but changed his mind during the preseason because other players were scared of catching the virus from him.
He stayed retired until the 1995-96 season when he appeared in 32 games for the Lakers off the bench.
His stats that year, 14.6 points and 6.9 assists, weren't too bad for a 36-year old who hadn't played professional basketball in four and a half years.
The 12-time All-Star retired for good following the season with a resume that included five championship rings, an Olympic gold medal, and three MVP awards.
But what if Johnson hadn't retired in '91 and nobody complained about playing with or against him?
Would he have won another championship or two?
Who knows. It depends on what kind of talent GM Jerry West could have surrounded him with.
As well all know, West was a genius. He was responsible for signing Shaquille O'Neal and turning Vlade Divac into Kobe Bryant. So, I'm sure he would have found a way to acquire a star to pair with Johnson.
Maybe Charles Barkley would have been traded to the Lakers instead of the Phoenix Suns. Just imagine that. Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley together. Two Dream Teamers.
That duo could have gave the Lakers a chance to beat the Chicago Bulls in the Finals, right?
Okay, maybe not. But, those definitely would have been some fun games to watch.
Anyway, we'll never know what Magic would have accomplished if he hadn't retired early.
However, one thing we do know for sure: He would have continued to amaze fans all over the world.
Link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2831 ... game-early |
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Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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Teagle_20
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Post subject: Re: What If Earvin Johnson Hadn't Left The Game Early?
Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 10:07 PM PST
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Casual Laker Fan
Joined: Jul 01, 2009
Posts: 76
Status: Offline
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Quote:
What If Earvin Johnson Hadn't Left The Game Early?
Jordan would not have had 6 rings. |
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"My grandmother could guard him, and she can't go to her left" (Chick Hearn)
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SPQR
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Post subject: RE: Re: What If Earvin Johnson Hadn't Left The Game Early?
Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 11:42 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 2057
Location: Pennsylvania
votes: 90
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| How about this: Magic considered going to Indiana in college but Bobby Knight kind of turned him off when they met. Bird actually metriculated to Indiana for two weeks before quitting. Imagine if both those guys had gone to Indiana? Can you imagine both of them joining a team that had won the national championship the year before? lol. Man that would have been ugly for the other colleges, would it not? |
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"The more innocent they are, the more they deserve to die." - Bertolt Brecht
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BigD
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Post subject: RE: Re: What If Earvin Johnson Hadn't Left The Game Early?
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 02:03 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Mar 21, 2008 Age: 37
Posts: 1399
Location: Bay Area
votes: 9
Status: Offline
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Still one of the saddest days of my life, and as far as I'm concerned, best Laker point guard of all time. I'm still more fond of the Laker showtime era than any other.
If he had not retired early or pulled his hamstring in the playoffs, he could easily have gotten six or seven rings.
Ah well...thanks for all the memories Magic! |
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Having landed Artest must feel like landing in a vat of salt water with 1000 paper cuts to the rest of the league. Now we've got the best 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th scoring options in the league.
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lakeshowsd
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Post subject: RE: Re: What If Earvin Johnson Hadn't Left The Game Early?
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 02:15 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Dec 20, 2008 Age: 28
Posts: 2594
Location: North Bend, OR
votes: 32
Status: Offline
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| If Magic hadn't left the game early, John Stockton might not today hold the assist total and steal total records. |
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"No center in the NBA scores 20 per game easier than Andrew Bynum." - lakeshowsd
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