Earvin Johnson

12 years in NBA, 5 rings, elected 3 times MVP, 12 selections for the All Star Games, the king of blind passes and legendary captain (with Larry Bird) of the 1992's Dream Team, Magic Johnson truly is a basketball legend. He reveals himself here, in an autobiography written a year after his retirement as a player.

We follow his journey, from the happy kid from Michigan who got an autograph from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the incredible player (he received his nickname, 'Magic', while still playing show more in high school) who will make all his career at the Lakers, playing alongside... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! Here's a incomparable champion who, despite the typical shortcomings of athletes evolving at this level (arrogance, egotism, obsession with money) nevertheless has the humility to open about his weaknesses, his errors and fears while playing in the NBA.

He retells the important games of his career, the most crucial playoffs (against Philadelphia, the 'Bad Boys' from Detroit, Boston, Chicago...). He dedicates whole chapters to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ('my most important teammate'), Larry Bird ('the only player I feared'), Michael Jordan (the young guard who would succeed him) or, again, one of his coaches, Pat Riley ('Mr Intensity'). He also recounts, of course, the tragedy which stroke him: getting HIV. In a blunt chapter we feel must have been difficult to write, he tells how his sexual life (unprotected, with easy women he met in multiple hotels while on tour with the Lakers) will put a final stop to an otherwise exemplary career. Sharing then the pen with his wife, he tells the beginning of a new life when he campaigns not only for a better recognition of HIV victims, but, also, to raise funds for research.

Here's a generous autobiography, frank, which will strike by its sensible and moving side. show less

This is a well-researched look at the two NBA icons who practically saved the league in the 1980's - Larry Bird, the self-professed "Hick from French Lick" and the effervescent play maker from Lansing, Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Author Jackie MacMullen lets Bird and Magic tell the story with very little other than their first person voice present.

The story begins shortly before the dramatic 1979 NCAA final between Bird's undefeated Indiana State team and Magic's Big Ten champion, Michigan show more State Spartans. Truly it was a battle royale between the two best collegiate teams from that season. As he often did, Magic's team had the last laugh on Bird's squad, but Bird dominated the stat sheet. Each man's professional life from that moment on was dedicated to besting his rival, but without ever losing the huge amount of respect that was always present.

As the story continues through each rival's NBA career, the cool professional relationship develops into a friendship that continues to this day. The story chronicles that relationship well and is the most endearing part of the book. MacMullen also details the painful conclusions of each man's career - Bird with a debilitating back injury, and Magic, when diagnosed with the HIV virus.

Fans of the two basketball giants will definitely want to add "When the Game Was Ours" to their To Be Read list. Ever non-basketball fans interested in a good story about loyalty and friendship should find something to like in the book. show less

An inside look at a chapter of the Lakes/Celtics dynasties and specifically, the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, which started in college. I loved this book mainly because I am a casual basketball fan compared to my affinity for other sports, so I don't know the history of basketball.

I learned a lot in this book. Magic and Larry helped save the NBA and paved a path for Jordan. Larry suffered from major back issues which hampered his career. Magic was on the Dream Team after show more his HIV diagnosis as well a comeback in '96. Bird was President of Basketball Operations of the Pacers during the Malice of the Palace.

Larry and Magic intensity and drive is amazing. show less

This is a cool idea for a book, and there are parts where it feels like there is a story to be told, but for the most part it’s a repackaging of stories that have been told and retold. There are hints that the Bird-Magic relationship is something more than just mutual respect of professional opponents, but in the end that’s about what it is. If it had gone deeper into the individual psyches there might have been something more compellingly readable, but this book stayed pretty much on show more the level of sports fandom. The residual benefits—other than the obvious opportunity to once again relish Larry’s game—are an increased interest in, and regard for, Magic, who after all may be the more closed up character of the two; and the insight on Larry’s approach to coaching. Above all is the message that time is short, opportunities are fleeting, and that despite all of the talent, will, and drive any individual can muster, there is always the randomness of fate. show less