Magic Johnson Talks Life and Basketball on All The Smoke Podcast

By: Melo Williams 

NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson recently joined co-hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on Showtime Basketball All The Smoke podcast. The Lakers legend shared his experience of growing up in Lansing while both of his parents worked hard jobs, the hands-on life long lessons his father Earvin Sr taught him,  the first time he saw Hall of Famer and friend Larry Bird play basketball, and how his Magic Johnson theatre companies opened the door for bigger business and more. It was great to hear why Magic made an appearance on All The Smoke though it was past his bedtime.

BOOKS & BASKETBALL

Magic said education was everything in his family. His parents always stressed the importance of education.

Magic said he applied himself in the books because his parents told him they wanted him to be great on the basketball court but wanted him to be smart so he had to get good grades so he could play basketball.

Magic shared his mother worked in a school cafeteria and a story about his father’s work ethic and punctuality, “My father worked for General Motors for 30 years. He won an award for never missing a day and never being late. So I was, I’m built just like that right, same thing.”

LIFE LESSON ON HARD WORK

Magic Johnson revealed that his father taught him a lifelong lesson about hard work and that if you want something you have to work to get it.

Growing up in Lansing, Michigan every kid in the neighborhood had a bike and he wanted one but he had six siblings. Magic wanted his dad to buy him a bike but his dad wasn’t going because if he bought one, he would’ve had to buy one for everyone.

Instead, Johnson’s father told him he thought he had something that would help Magic get a bike but they had to go to the garage.

Magic said, “He took me out to the garage and he said, ‘Let me introduce you to three people you need to meet.” I said okay cool.”

Magic then added, his father introduced, “That’s Mr. Lawnmower, that’s Mr. Rake, and that’s Mr. Shovel. Now, pick one of them tools up and go make you some money and buy you a bike.”

MAGIC BUSINESS HARDSHIPS

All The Smoke hosts, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson were giving Magic Johnson his flowers rightfully so about leveling up to a billionaire as a basketball player after retirement.

Magic was humbled by the love and admiration of the hosts but he felt it was important to share the struggles of becoming a billionaire.

Johnson said when he first got started in business he broke barriers and went through a lot of doors but he faced rejections during his hardship.

Johnson spoke on he remembered going to meetings and people were laughing when he entered the room because they knew they weren’t going to give him any money but wanted the perks of meeting and what comes with Magic like pictures or phone calls to say something to their sons but turned him down at the end. Magic said people didn’t loan him money or give him opportunities because he was a basketball player or a 6’9″ Black man. Johnson said he had to prove to people he knew business.

MAGIC IS MARIANO RIVERA 2.0

Magic said when he comes in to close a deal, “IT’S DONE”

Magic reflected on the time he was the Laker’s President of Basketball Operations and was recruiting LeBron James to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Magic said LeBron had bought into everything he pitched to him about being a celebrity in L.A., signing Kawhi Leonard prior to interest in Anthony Davis , and how he would be able to grow his brand to a billion dollars in the Los Angeles market during the free agency period in 2019.

The Lakers’ brand and history speak for themselves.

The magic of Magic the President of Basketball Operations when it was time to talk to free agents, Johnson said it was about knowing what players want. He mentioned homework and research had him prepared for the one-on-one sitdowns with free agents so he could lay out all the wants of the player when they stepped in the room.

MAGIC THE PEACEMAKER

NBA Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas have had a personal beef with each other since their playing days dating back to 1987.

Detroit Pistons beat up the Chicago Bulls en route to winning two NBA championships.

Chicago finally got over the hump and swept Detroit in 1991 and before Game 4 was finished, Isiah Thomas and the Detroit “Bad Boys” Pistons walked off the court with time remaining on the game clock.

It’s also rumored Michael Jordan prevented Isiah Thomas from being selected for the 1992 USA Dream Team, so that intensified the beef even more.

Stephen Jackson asked Magic about his thoughts about the back and forth between Zeke and Jordan Magic said “I don’t like it.” “I think they should be done with that.” Johnson went on to say, “What Michael is doing is incredible to be an owner in the NBA. His shoe is still number one. Isiah is a businessman himself and all the things he’s doing.” Magic said “So why are we still” with help from Stephen Jackson finishing off his comment saying “still living in the past,” Magic emphatically agreed saying “YES”! Magic finished on this topic saying he’s the one that’s going to have to bring them together for the culture because they should be past that now. It’s like Magic Johnson wanted to say we’re too old and getting too much money to be feuding over words and competitiveness 35 years later still. In the words of Jay Z, “Nobody wins when the family feud.”

Watch All The Smoke podcast with Magic Johnson and hear if Magic considers the Bad Boy Pistons a dynasty, how he was introduced to the nightlife Los Angeles offers, and how turning down one business deal prevented him from becoming a billionaire sooner than he did and how much Kobe Bryant is missed by the culture. RIP to Stephen Jackson brother Donnie. #RIPDONNIE #RIPKOBE

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