This is an in-depth biography of Magic Johnson, widely considered the greatest point guard in NBA history. Larry Bird, a player from the Boston Celtics who was often at odds with Johnson, was in awe of Johnson’s skills, referring to him as “a one-man fast break.” The author, Lazenby, who has also written biographies on Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, begins the book with Bird’s admiration for Johnson. However, Lazenby’s writing style can be a bit excessive and over-the-top, often using flowery language to describe Johnson’s abilities and persona.
Despite this, the biography provides a thorough look into Johnson’s career, highlighting his hard work, strategic thinking, and ability to understand his opponents. Lazenby also reveals lesser-known facts about Johnson, such as his dyslexia, which he overcame by listening attentively to instructions and acting as an informal coach for his teammates.
The author skillfully narrates game events and provides a nostalgic look into the past, like the time Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson’s teammate, got into a physical altercation during a championship series. In today’s NBA, such an incident would have led to immediate suspensions, but back then, the league was reluctant to suspend star players during crucial games.
Lazenby also sensitively discusses Johnson’s HIV-positive status and its impact, as well as his successful transition from NBA player to entrepreneur after his retirement.
