Magic!

PARIS (The Monday International Show) - Wow, Magic Johnson turned 50, does that make you feel old or what?

This is a good time to list all the positive things Magic represents in the basketball world and in the real world as our planet tries to move towards more sharing and protection of our limited resources.

On the court, he always symbolized,above all else, altruism and the desire to make team and teammates better because the ultimate priority was winning not self gratification!

He was the brains and motor behind the "showtime" style which began with tough defence and included a permanent desire to push the tempo.

This style was way ahead of its time although you could make an argument(that the Lakers might not like), that the Celtics of Auerbach, Cousy and Russell started it all!

When you see Fiba basketball embracing the 24 second clock,Obradovic letting the Pana run and shoot quick threes, the Suns under D'Antoni or Spain in the Bejing Olympic final, you've got to think back to general Pat Riley's and captain Johnson's "showtime" era invention!

The actual NBA infatuation with small ball,spreading the court, spacing,3 point shots, up tempo and getting a shot off in seven seconds or less, are all linked to that 80's concoction.

Magic was also ahead of his time concerning the internationalisation of the NBA playing with Divac then the Dream Team and finally touring the world with his own all-star team after leaving the NBA.

Off the court, he has been a great example too, creating numerous, successful business and real estate ventures in minority neighborhoods while becoming a billionaire, helping expand public awareness of the HIV virus while fighting courageously against the virus himself, and throwing full support behind Obama and HIS altruistic ideas(ah! health insurance for all americans, I have a dream!), the list is long!

Okay, as a coach and talk show host he was a bust but his successes far outweigh his defeats. After probably profitting a little too much from his own star status and the 80's hollywood party lifestyle, Magic, at 50, has become a solid spokesman for core values like clean business ethics, family and friendship while also being a behind the scenes, calming and experienced force as a Laker stockholder and vice-president, and goodness knows, they need it.

Over the last 24 years, I have been  very lucky to have interveiwed and worked with Magic at many events and I can solemnly swear that his "good guy" personna was genuine and not an act.He was, for example, much more easily approachable than Jordan, Jabbar or Bird .

Of course this doesn't mean that he wasn't hyper competitive like Jordan which explains his inability to coach players who didn't possess his deep understanding of the game.

In the end, the greatest point guard of all time has taught us alot and will continue to do so and who knows, maybe one day president Obama will call on him for a role in public service, he certainly has the winner smile to succeed in politics!

Happy Birthday Magic!

George Eddy