SI

Rare SI Photos of Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson was the 1979 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, a 12-time NBA All-Star, and three-time MVP and Finals MVP. Magic led Michigan State to its first championship, and he not only won five titles with the L.A. Lakers but also rescued the NBA through his West-East rivalry with Larry Bird. He was named SI's 2nd-ever Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award winner in 2014, making him the first professional athlete to receive the prestigious honor. As he celebrates his 57th birthday on Aug. 14, 2016, we present these rare SI photos of Magic Johnson.

SI Staff

Rare SI Photos of Magic Johnson
Rare SI Photos of Magic Johnson /

Rare SI Photos of Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

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Lane Stewart

1978

Magic Johnson

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Heinz Kluetmeier

1978

Magic Johnson

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Heinz Kluetmeier

1978

Magic Johnson

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Heinz Kluetmeier

1978

Magic Johnson

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Heinz Kluetmeier

1978 NCAA Tournament

Magic Johnson

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Heinz Kluetmeier

1978 NCAA Tournament

Magic Johnson

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Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

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Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

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Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

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Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson with dad, Earvin Sr. (left) and friend Charles Tucker

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Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

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Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

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Manny Millan

1980 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

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Manny Millan

1980 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

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Andy Hayt

1981

Magic Johnson

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Andy Hayt

1981

Michael Cooper, Norm Nixon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mitch Kupchak, coach Paul Westhead, Jamaal Wilkes and Magic Johnson

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Lane Stewart

1981

Magic Johnson

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Manny Millan

1981

Danny Ainge, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

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Manny Millan

1985 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

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Andy Hayt

1985 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson and Dennis Rodman

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Manny Millan

1988

Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson

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Manny Millan

1991 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

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John W. McDonough

1992

Magic Johnson

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Andrew D. Bernstein

1996

Magic Johnson

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Richard Mackson

1996

Magic Johnson

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Richard Mackson

1996

Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan

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Robert Beck

1996

Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan

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Richard Mackson

1996

Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant

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Walter Iooss Jr

1998

Magic Johnson

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Walter Iooss Jr

1999

Magic Johnson with sons Andre (left) and Ervin III, daughter Elisa and wife Cookie

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Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

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Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

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Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

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Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

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Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

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Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

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Peter Read Miller

2001

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson

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John W. McDonough

2009

Magic Johnson and Matt Kemp

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Peter Read Miller

2012

Magic Johnson

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David E. Klutho

2013 National League Championship Series

Magic Johnson and Vin Scully

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Robert Beck

2014

Magic Johnson with wife Cookie, Chris Paul and his wife Jada (left)

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John W. McDonough

2014 National League Division Series

Magic Johnson

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Robert Beck

2014

Tom Izzo and Magic Johnson

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Al Tielemans

2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament — Elite Eight

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