February 16, 1992: Just six days earlier, Earvin "Magic" Johnson had stunned the sports world by returning to play in the NBA All-Star game and winning the game's MVP. The Lakers would then make him only the fifth player in the team's glorious history to have his jersey retired. The other players were Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, at the time. The Lakers have since added Gail Goodrich, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, and Jamaal Wilkes.
Over three months earlier, Magic announced the news that he had contracted the HIV virus and was retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers. He hadn't played since the 1990-1991 season.
His career achievements include three NBA MVP Awards, nine NBA Finals appearances, twelve All-Star games, and ten All-NBA First and Second Team nominations. Most importantly in Laker land, he was a five-time champion.
Check out the top 10 plays of his career:
Magic's playing career wasn't entirely over, however, as he would become a member of the 1992 Dream Team that took home gold for the USA in the Barcelona Olympics. He had a short NBA comeback of 32 games in the 1995-96 season before officially retiring.
Here's to you Magic Johnson and the day No. 32 was retired forever by the Lakers.
