Magic Johnson Was Very Close to Killing Michael Jordan and Bulls’ Iconic Legacy Even Before It Began

Magic Johnson was and remains one of the best players the NBA has ever seen. Regardless of the generation, regardless of the time and regardless of the type of basketball, Magic Johnson would have played like he did in any circumstance. He was the type of player who had a positive impact on his team no matter what and he was often unstoppable. People debate if Michael Jordan is the ultimate GOAT of the game, well safe to say Magic Johnson was Michael Jordan before the 90s.

In the 80s Magic won 5 NBA championships with the Lakers. He played 13 seasons in the NBA and almost all those years were illustrious. His career was cut short because he was diagnosed as HIV + in 1991. However, the way he dealt with that being the star he was and the time he was in, was absolutely inspirational. The cultural impact, the game influence and the legacy that he created was second to none.

Magic Johnson came back from his retirement in 1995, but he knew his playing days were behind him. Essentially, he retired in 1991 after another MJ won the NBA championship after beating the Lakers side led by Magic Johnson. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their first NBA championship in 1991, which was their 1st of 6 NBA championships that decade. The 90s for the Bulls was what the 80s was for the Lakers. However, things could have been very different if Magic Johnson went to the Bulls instead of the Lakers. And what made his decision? A coin flip!

WATCH THIS STORY: Michael Jordan’s best duels with Magic.

A coin flip for Magic Johnson decided the Lakers dynasty

Magic was very close to joining the Chicago Bulls instead of the Los Angeles Lakers. A simple coin toss decided his fate as he chose the Lakers over Bulls. In the promotion of his life documentary “They Call Me Magic” Johnson was a guest for Emmy winner Jake Hamilton. Jake asked him about the incidents that led to his decision to join the Lakers.

“I would have been in chicago. — it would have been different because Chicago was building toward a winner. I went to LA [where] they already had a winner, with Kareem sitting there. The question would have been, would we still have had Michael? Would that have happened with me being with the Bulls? Because we probably would have been better and wouldn’t have been in a position to draft Michael Jordan. So it all worked out for everybody. You got the other MJ and LA got the other MJ. Right? Magic Johnson ended up in LA, Michael Jordan in Chicago and it ended up good for both cities and both franchises.” Magic on how a coin toss decided his fate and the fate of the whole of NBA and basketball.

Also read: Michael Jordan talks about Magic Johnson’s Lakers side.

One can only imagine what it could have been if the coin would have landed to the different face and Magic would have indeed gone to Chicago. Maybe the world could have seen two MJs together, or maybe it would not have worked out, or maybe Jordan would have gone to the Lakers then. Or maybe… well, one can only imagine. As it turned out, it was perfect for both MJs and the NBA world.

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