Magic Johnson (19pts/8rebs/10asts) returns to the NBA (1996)

Magic Johnson returns to the NBA after his retirement in 1991 because of testing positive for HIV. He had not played on this kind of a level since the 1992 Olympics (I wouldn't count those 92-93 pre-season games). Johnson has a great return as he proves to play his point forward position pretty well - he makes many hook shots after bodying up the weaker Joe Smith and passes out successfully out of double teams to open shooters. Of course during this night all eyes are on him as their is a replay for almost any play involving Magic. January 30, 1996.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• nba
• basketball
• los
• angeles
• lakers
• golden
• state
• warriors
• great
• western
• forum
• inglewood
• bob
• neal
• hubie
• brown
• hiv
• aids
• del
• harris
• rick
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• ernie
• johnson
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• sprewell
• joe
• smith
• b.j.
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• lynch
• derek
• strong

[DynamicoS21]

@DavidisaBIMBO Offensive foul rules used to be different back then, just like the goaltending rules were. Now they only call offensive foul on a "charge" and they goaltending on balls that are going down.

[loupremo]

either #15 really sucked or he was paid to just let MJ score like that

[ACParker13]

Nice 'Zima' ad on the scoreboard though, haha.

[DavidisaBIMBO]

One of the commentator's is really being an asshole with their own opinion of offensive foul, goaltends, etc.

[oneluv72]

Sprewell's neck is still sore!!!

[Hotty6969]

magic came back to give the lakers fans hope and than the next year Kobe Bryant was drafted

[imilianJ]

the ball fake at 4:57...  ahh you know he's back!

[gc3k]

too bad magic didn't play with the 90s lakers sooner

[Bootybouncer23]

Magic Johnson was an incredible player !!!

I love this game !!!