NBA: 5 players that we didn’t get enough of

Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson

Ask around and anyone who was a sports fan in the 1980s will tell you that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson saved the league from falling into the abyss.

Prior to the Michael Jordan and LeBron James greatest-of-all-time debate, it was Magic versus Michael.

Magic participated in nine NBA Finals and won five, and was the Finals MVP three times.

He only played 12 seasons.

During those 12 seasons, Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 11.5 assists in 36.7 minutes a night. The 6-foot-9 point guard had game.

After being diagnosed with what was then considered a deadly disease, HIV, Johnson was forced to retire. The previous season, the Los Angeles Lakers and Johnson took on Michael Jordan in his first NBA Finals, losing 4-1.

The thing is, with Magic nearing the end of his prime, we could have seen a few more matchups like this. Magic wasn’t done. The Lansing, Mich., native had plenty more basketball left. Who knows?

Maybe Johnson could have contributed on other teams. The phenomenal passing ability he possessed would have maintained its value going forward as his career came to a close. Unfortunately, the disease put a quick end to an illustrious career.

Said illustrious career is the only thing that is keeping the all-time great from being higher on this list.