The Magic Johnson story just keeps getting bigger

You’d have to look long and hard to find a more interesting, intriguing, compelling (I’m not even sure what the right word would be) sports figure of last half century or so than Magic Johnson.

Agree?

The breadth of his life, publicly at least, has been astounding.

We knew him as a smiley-faced teen re-energizing NCAA basketball.

We knew him as a smiley-faced young man re-energizing NBA basketball, revolutionizing the game with the Showtime Lakers, a freak of nature 6-9 point guard who played even the drudgery of the regular season with unabridged joy and who was at his best when titles were on the line.

But forget that, actually, if you can. It’s all well and good that he played a kid’s game with a kid’s attitude, all smiles and fun and upbeat and up-tempo and the Lakers with him were a joy to watch.

When news came down last night that his group had been the successful bidders to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers (a cool $2 billion, it says in this dispatch) you kind of just shook your head in amazement.

There are those who want our athletes to use their power and their pedestal and their iconic status for the good of the greater cause.

No one – well, very few that I can think of in the world of professional sports since I’ve been hanging around the games – has done it like Magic.

Yes, you have David Robinson and the school he founded in San Antonio, and Jalen Rose and the incredible work his foundation is doing with education in Detroit and I’m sure there are others doing similar work.

But Magic? Magic has given hope and support and brought education to the fore in so many areas it’s incredible.

He became one of the leaders of the HIV campaign after his startling revelation 20 years ago and what he’s done to raise money and awareness since then is nothing short of amazing.

He became a wildly-successful businessman in his post-playing career; with theatres and coffee shops and sundry other endeavours that showed all athletes that there was a chance to make a difference in the economic lives of fans aside from bringing them joy on the court.

And now?

Now to own one of the iconic sports franchises ever – one that needs some kind of recovery from the mess left by the previous ownership – cements him as a guy who actually did something grand once the games were over.

Far too many great athletes simply pay lip service to making a difference in the world when they’re done playing before they fade off into their lives, the television studio or periodic appearances at charitable events.

Magic built an empire all while serving as a beacon for the fight against HIV.

This may not be the crowning moment of his post-career work but it is another giant step for a giant of our times.

-

To quote a sitcom icon:

Holy crap.

People sure get defensive, or offensive, or whatever, when it’s pizza talk, don’t they?

This has all the makings of Jose-TJ to stir the passions if you wade through all the comments yesterday.

Classic.

Last word? For now, at least?

Here’s Zorro’s piece, he’s the guy who landed in the office and was asked to come up with the follow-up story.

-

So much for my early prognostication about Martina Navratilova and DWTS.

Sure, they embarrassed here with that get-up last night but, honestly? As a dancer she makes a great tennis icon.

-

Now this may cause a bit of a quandary.

Got news late last night – think the news landed while I was napping, actually – that Jerryd Bayless has a torn oblique muscle and he’ll miss the rest of the regular season.

The quandary is not whether or not Ben Uzoh can adequately fill the backup point guard role, that’s relatively inconsequential. The quandary is whether or not the Raptors feel confident enough in what they’ve seen from Bayless so far to make any longer-term commitment to him in the summer when he becomes a restricted free agent.

Maybe they have, but some of the people I’ve spoken to were looking to this last month to determine precisely what they had in the young guard.

The backcourt is going to need some reconstruction over the summer, far more so than the frontcourt, and if there are any lingering questions about where Jerryd fits, it’s not good at all that he’ll have missed this last month.

I feel terrible for the kid; he wanted to play in Chicago, wanted to play the second half of the Orlando game after he was hurt again and getting those MRI results on Monday had to be a huge blow.

Too bad.

For him and his employers.

-

No one’s going to mention that the pucks have been mathematically eliminated from the post-season before the HOTH, right?

-

There are days when it’s kind of boring to go to practice with these fellows, it’s hard to come up with a story that’s truly interesting and can be told well. We’re often standing around perplexed, wondering if the day’s missive will be something pedestrian like an injury update or a look ahead to the next team.

Those are all legit stories, don’t get me wrong, it’s that they don’t really energize you and they’ve been done so often they are almost done by rote.

It’s especially true with this group, all fine young men who are more than willing to chat with us each day but there aren’t too many great tales left to tell. It’s not their fault, it’s just the way it is; as I said, it’s a good group but there’s not a Reggie Evans quote machine among ‘em.

Then we get a new guy and all of a sudden Alan Anderson’s story turns into a moment of revitalization, he gives good anecdotes and has a life’s story to tell.

It’s kind of cool and as the grunts departed the practice facility, there was a spring in our steps. Not bad for the dog days of the season.

-

Mail? Yeah, we’d better start.

Do. It. Here.

Thanks.

-

 

 

Comments

[Nishima]

Magic jhonson: 20 years later - http://liveoncampus.com/wire/show/3362530

[sportschick]

That's really too bad for Bayless. He must be really unhappy. On a different note, all those comments.on slicegate and no one thought it was funny that it happened when Turk was in town? He loved a slice, as I recall ....

[Tim]

That Alan Anderson story was a good one. He is an interesting guy.

[Mike D.]

Doug, any sense of the recovery prognosis and timeline for a torn oblique? This is the first time I've heard of one. And for the record, I'd like to see Bayless back....I like his defensive and scoring ability, and he seems to be developing into a respectable back-up PG.

As a precaution, I'm keeping all my abdominal, oblique and lower back muscles covered with a protective layer of fat. It should keep them warmer and less susceptible to injury.

Blogger's note: No sense; won't speak to a soul until tonight

[Charles]

A great story on Raps new journeyman ballplayer, Alan Anderson...who has enjoyed the journey!
Around our world. Thanks, Doug, for this story of our new player - very human and poignant.

[JT's Hoops Blog]

My first question when I first read this was WTF does Magic know about baseball? It's all great that he helped buy a team and all, but if it does not help them win, what's the point?

[doug]

yes the pizza thing was classic...will you be sitting by your phone too eagerly await your Pulitzer nod for that hard hitting story?/...this blog is a good read, and all your work you put into to it is to be admired, but at times it's predictable as far as the Raptors go...after the pizza game my buddy and I made a bet, as we knew the pizza slice story would be on your blog (as it is twice a year or so), me I said lead story, he said not lead but it will be in there, so I owe him a "pop"....as we all know your first target is always the fans, fans cheering for pizza, fans and their thunderstix, fans booing Vince, or Hedo or whoever, fans not cheering, fans cheering too much, so yes we get it fans are your target and to blame for all that ails the Raps...BC can skate away unscathed, and we are to now buy into what as you described it last week "BC's second year of his new 5 year plan", as this is post-Bosh, and since we all know how that worked out, it's time for a re-boot so we are to cut him some slack...or how the Raps have had nothing but future HOF coaches in their existence, or also the front-line players such as Jose, Barg's will never have a bad thing said about them but you will make targets of the easier one's for you, this year Kleiza and Bayless....so it is what it is all amusing and their are other places to go for our Raps news,opinions as that's why it is good to live where we live in T.O. with it's multitude of "rags"...so yes it was classic, but to me the best part was in reading the comments yesterday, and seeing how so many others are tired of the "pizza slice" talk, and how fans that have had to endure this Raps team, and these management "plans" should be able to cheer whenever they want, and whomever they want ....as the fans are the least of the worries for the Raps management as this blog shows, as were a loyal,passionate lot, who believe it or not do have some interesting observations and opinions (as that poster that just enquired about J.J. Hickson last week and he was shot down, although he has done quite well with the Blazers)...look around at the Nets,Bobcats,Hawks etc..they would die for our fanbase...so I say eat all the free pizza you can, wave your thunderstix, boo who you want, and maybe at some point in time we will actually have something to cheer about.....cheers..

Blogger's note: And yet you chime in so often; if it's such a chore, there are many other places you'd be welcome; not sure that's going to be the case here much longer

[doug]

nope not a rip job, and I am very relaxed and happy as I get the fans cheering for pizza,or am not offended by it as it is what it is, but fans are often the ones to be attacked...for what?..being fans?...makes no sense and was just observing how yesterday in the comments, how many just want a decent team to watch, that's all....so not a rip job at all,like I said I appreciate your blog....cheers...

[SheikYurbouti]

*shaking head* OMG, seeing a history of comments in a whole new light. Meds dosage or type problem?

[sam]

@Sportschick - totally forgot about that commercial - Apparently I've moved onto Andrea eating pasta -

The Magic Johnson Story is pretty inspiring - An All Star Player who grows into an astute and socially conscience businessman - Aside from some personal decisions that greatly affected his life, he's been a solid citizen and public face doing a lot of good things....

Sorry to hear about Bayless - I think he's showed enough to be part of the Raptors future. the energy guy off the bench akin to Barbosa - As a backup PG perhaps.

[Pipit]

Medical staff of the Raptors is partly to blame on what happened to Bayless. He's been in the court 3 times and can't continue, with the 3rd time aggravating his injury. Season is lost. Health and well-being of the players are much more important than a win game or two. Besides their preparing for the future. Bayless is a warrior and you can't stop warriors from fighting even thru pain. It's up to the medical staff and head trainer Scott McCullough to stop or limit him for he's own good. That's their primary job and they failed to do that the 2nd time around this season.

[Tabber]

Just wondering how anyone can read doug's comments all the way through? Do you not check your comments for spelling, punctuation and grammar before you post? Those checks would make them much easier to read and comprehend. As it is, we have ample grounds to assume you're skipping public school, which in your case is not a wise move. Were I still in a position to hire people, I'd take one look at your resume and toss it in the round file. Communication is key, and you are communicating very well that you have very limited attention to detail, will let mistakes slip by on a far too frequent basis and will cost most companies a lot of customers. Not worth hiring, and I don't want to support your welfare payments. Mr. Smith, please get rid of this aggravation. Thank you.

[Tim H.]

@doug (not Doug) - if you dislike Doug's 'philosophy' so much, why are you around here so often??? Is it because, in your mind, he gives you 'validation' because he (unwisely) posts your comments, and other blogs aren't as kind? Is this the only place you can gleefully see your comments appear?
If there's another blog that will actually accept you, please go. I, for one, would be very happy.

[Tim H.]

@Pipit - from which university did you get your medical degree? You obviously know a lot more than the Raptor's medical staff - maybe you should apply for a position with them, so that they start doing things correctly!
Correct me if I'm wrong, Doug, but wasn't the injury that Bayless had to sit out for a hip pointer? And, isn't the season-ending injury an oblique strain? Just sayin'...

Blogger's note: It was; it is

[Steve]

If you think the Pizza story only got a run in the star you are kidding yourself. I'm not against free pizza particularly, but I do think it could be tweaked a bit (I did like Casey's tongue in cheek comments about wanting the fans to cheer for defensive stops ;)).

[larrylukeeborg]

re magic not knowing anything about baseball...what flipping owner of a sports knows anything about the particular sport? they all think they do, of course....but presumably their lack of knowledge is why they hire people to run their team?

[james]

Bayless has shown plenty when healthy. He is young enough to improve substantially. Perhaps the one caveat is his injury history: Some players just seem unlucky that way; at times he almost plays too hard. Nonetheless, when I think of a young group of players improving together, he is certainly one of them. He is also very bright, based on his interviews, and could in all probability develop into a team leader.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
Your story on Alan Anderson - and his joy at being able to keep playing basketball anywhere! - is a welcome antidote to all those tales of NBA players who conduct their lives within an aura of haughty entitlement. I hope Anderson's experience with the Raptors is a good one for both him and the team. And speaking of antidotes, what will wash away years of scurrilous, shameful ownership? Why, a touch of Magic, one would think. Great news for the Dodgers and their fans. Cheers!

[Mike kovacs]

If somebody cannot make their point for the comments here in less than 10 lines then they should not bother. They are likely usually skipped over. To quote a great one: 'brevity is the soul of wit'.

[Ian M]

@Tabber - I'm assuming you were just joking about your post, because no one could possibly assume that because someone makes some errors in their blog comments that they didn't go to school and are unhireable.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Count me in among the many who hope Bayless gets another go in T.O. next season, and wishing him a full and speedy recovery. I like what he's shown in abilities, athleticism, and his aggressive "disposition". He's not next year's starting PG (hopefully), but he can become a very nice combo guard, I believe. I'm also hoping Forbes gets another look next year, as the second back-up combo guard. I'd think BCo would have a top-drawer starting PG and a starting 2 on his summer shopping list, along with that long missing slashing 3. (P.S. I'm definitely for keeping Jose, too.)
Cheers. Go Raps!

[doug]

wow @tabber unbelievable response, which really deserves no reply..first off I will not apologize for any of my views or comments , they are what they are but I will apologize if I say it or them in a offending manner.as yes I can be politically incorrect at times, and I hope that never changes......and no I don't do it for "validation" as this blog is no different then a bunch of people sitting around exchanging views, would I ask someone in that scenario are they saying their view for "validation", ...and I respect all views on here from the irregulars(D-Mac.Lori,Leez,Rob V) and whomever and especially Doug Smith's, or I wouldn't bother coming here...Doug has a opinion, states it, stands by it, and is a straight shooter (as am I) and a stand up guy, so what's not to respect....but moreso I respect him and this blog as although people call for "banning" someone or for someone to go away, like Pipit,Aditya, me....he doesn't...again a pretty mature viewpoint to have so kudos to him, and hence yes we may disagree on "philosophy" but what's wrong with that...anyways cheers...

[DannyFromFreddy]

Doug, I'll just add my kudos to you for the Anderson story. It was a good read. Thanks.

[SheikYurbouti]

Aww, what the heck. I'll get in the ring with my good buddy again. One of those days, I guess.
@doug
You truly are unbelievable, man. Though I still struggle, I think most on here are used to paying scant attention to the spirit of your high horse rants by now, but you're usually just subtle enough with "I don't understand how 'people' " type references to avoid anyone taking it personal. Perhaps not the first time, but today was a different story.
-
First, you speak with forked tongue, grasshopper. You rip severely out of one side, then immediately follow up with "not a rip job at all,like I said I appreciate your blog".... Dude, are you delusional enough to not see the spirit of some of what you ranted is the antithesis of "appreciate" and synonymous with disrespectful? It's wild how the furthest you'll ever back off any misguided statements (as if you ever have any, right?) is to say it's just a matter of a free thinking guy expressing his opinion. Nobody can argue with that as a general concept, but actually feel following were respectful of Doug and the views he expresses?
-
"will you be sitting by your phone too eagerly await your Pulitzer nod for that hard hitting story?"
"as we all know your first target is always the fans"
"so yes we get it fans are your target and to blame for all that ails the Raps"
"or how the Raps have had nothing but future HOF coaches in their existence"
-
Seriously, do you honestly feel these accurately represent Doug's views, and that you express your different opinions respectfully? Note; whatever "opinion" you express, please be at least accurate with "I" in place of "we".

[sam]

Well said Sheik Yurbouti